The Army of the Loire, under General D'Aurelle de Paladines, surprised a Bavarian army under Ludwig Freiherr von und zu der Tann-Rathsamhausen at the village of Coulmiers, west of Orléans.

The French artillery detachment shelled the Bavarian camp with percussion-fused shells, causing panic in the camp and causing the Bavarian garrison to retreat in disorder during a direct bayonet charge by French infantry.

At the same time, the Army of the Loire stopped its march towards Paris, conforming to the wishes of General D'Aurelle, who argued that his raw, badly-supplied men needed time to rest.

Despite an urging Léon Gambetta, Aurelles locked himself into Orleans.

Coulmiers's victory would not be exploited and reinforced German troops would eventually retake Orleans.