It pitted French forces under General Pierre François Joseph Durutte against Prussian, Russian and Hessian troops commanded by the Russian General Dimitri Mikhailovich Youzefovitch.

The allied force began the siege on 17 January 1814 and eventually lifted it on 10 April the same year, without having taken the city.

After the German campaign, Napoleon's army retreated onto French soil.

Based at Ars-sur-Moselle, Youzefovitch commanded an allied force of Prussians and Russians.

Durutte even managed to send out a diversionary expedition near the city, executing a pivoting manoeuvre from Sarrelouis to Verdun, passing Thionville, Longwy and Montmédy.