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Which parts of Europe did Stendhal visit during his military career?
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Stendhal
Stendhal, oil painting by Pierre-Joseph Dedreux-Dorcy; in the Bibliothèque Municipale de Grenoble, France.
During his military career, Stendhal (born Henri Beyle) traveled to several parts of Europe as he served in the French army:
- Italy: His initial appointment as a second lieutenant introduced him to Piedmont, Lombardy, and Milan, regions that would profoundly influence his life and literary work.1
- Germany: Beginning in 1806, his administrative role in the army allowed him to discover various parts of Germany, starting with his assignment to the city of Brunswick.1
- Austria: His military service also provided him with the opportunity to explore Austria.1
- Russia: He participated in the French forces' campaign in Russia, including witnessing the burning of Moscow and taking part in the subsequent retreat.1
Additionally, he helped organize the military defense of the Dauphiné province back in France during his time in the service.1