The first siege of Girona during the Peninsular War, also called the battle of Gerona, took place from 20 to 21 June 1808, when an Imperial French division led by Guillaume Philibert Duhesme try to overrun a Spanish garrison commanded by Lieutenant Colonels O'Donovan and O'Daly.

As part of his plan to overthrow the Spanish ruling family, Emperor Napoleon ordered his soldiers to seize Barcelona in February 1808.

The city's fortress was successfully occupied, but a few weeks later the Spanish people rebelled against Imperial French rule.

Hemmed in by Catalan militia and regular Spanish troops, the French general attempted to capture Girona in order to open up a secure supply line from France to Barcelona.

Months before, as part of his plan to seize his ally the Kingdom of Spain in a military coup, Emperor Napoleon ordered several key points, including Barcelona, to be captured in February 1808.

Lechi ordered a military review, and, as his soldiers marched past the main gate of the citadel, they suddenly veered left and rushed into the fortress.

Without bloodshed, the Imperial troops hustled the stunned Spanish garrison out of the fortifications and occupied the place.

[2] In the Dos de Mayo Uprising in Madrid the Spanish people rose in revolt against the French occupiers.

[4] This modest-sized force was tasked with putting down the insurrection in Catalonia, sending help to Marshal Bon-Adrien Jeannot de Moncey in his bid to capture Valencia, and keeping control of Barcelona.

Duhesme attempted to comply with his instructions by sending Chabran and 3,000 troops to join Moncey and directing Schwarz with another column to seize Lerida.

[7] As the Franco-Italian force continued on its way to Girona, the miquelets reoccupied the countryside and blocked all communication between Duhesme and Barcelona.

[8] The French commander tried again that night, ordering Schwarz's brigade against the Santa Clara bastion on the west bank.

Reille moved out with an advanced guard and soon relieved the garrison of Sant Ferran Castle at Figueras.

After assembling his whole division, Reille moved against the port of Roses, but was rebuffed by its defenders[9] and the British battleship HMS Montagu, which landed its marines to help.