Prince D. João's decision not to obey Napoleon's "orders" and to leave the country started a period that has become known as the French Invasions. After three attempts to conquer Portugal, the invaders withdrew once and for all, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake... and irreversible political and cultural changes.


1st Invasion
Commanded by Junot. In November 1807, the invading army reached Lisbon and even managed to see the ships that were taking the Royal Family and its court to Brazil. After two defeats, Junot withdrew (in September 1809).


2nd Invasion
Commanded by Soult. They entered Portugal once again in March 1809. In Porto, thousands were killed when trying to escape over the River Douro on a bridge of boats that gave way. Two months after arriving, they abandoned the country towards Spain.


3rd Invasion
Commanded by Massena. The last of the three invasions began in July 1810. The French army conquered Almeida in the north of Portugal on the border with Spain, it was defeated in Buçaco, reorganised and reached the "gates" of Lisbon. Massena comes up against the impregnable "Lines of Torres Vedras" and starts his retreat that November and leaves once and for all in April 1811.