The French fleet arrives on the coasts of Africa on the first of July in the evening, after having, by an incredible chance, escaped the English fleet of Admiral Nelson.
The biggest part of the troops is disembarked in the night and in the morning, on a beach called Marabout's Beach, some distance from the city.
Bonaparte, General-in-Chief of the Army of Egypt, surrounded by his headquarters and his generals, oversees the landing, which at first happens without resistance, in front of the residents of the city, terrified by this "armada."
But very quickly, some Bedouins come to worry the outposts and behead soldiers who fall into their hands.
The French response is immediate: Bonaparte decides to march on the city without delay, not giving the Turks time to prepare a defense. Alexandria surrenders at the first assaults led by Generals Kléber, Bon, and Menou (Kléber will be seriously wounded by a bullet to the head).
After securing victory, Bonaparte hastens to reassure the residents about his intentions: "People of Egypt," he proclaims, "some will say that I come to destroy your religion: do not believe it! Respond that I come to restore your rights, to punish usurpers, and that I respect, more than the Mamelukes, God, His Prophet (Muhammad), and the Quran."
The command of the city will be entrusted to General Menou, replacing General Kléber.