Austria and the Holy Roman Empire began to place troops on the French border.

The Sardinian headquarters at Turin believed that the French were crossing with 35,000 - 40,000 men so General de Courten advised his colonel, Pinto, to evacuate the county without a fight.

De Courten, aware and scared of French attacks from behind, immediately ordered a retreat and evacuated.

Garrisons were left in Fort Mont Alban and some were abandoned in the commune of Villefranche.

Anselme ordered his men to cross the Var, the river where the border of Nice, Sardinia, and France met.