Louis Archinard (born February 11, 1850 in Le Havre - died May 8, 1932 in Villiers-le-Bel) was a French general of the Third Republic, who contributed to the colonial conquest of France in West Africa. He is often presented as the conqueror and peacemaker of French Sudan (now Mali).
Louis Archinard came from a Protestant family - his father ran the Protestant schools in the city - in Le Havre. He studied at the École Polytechnique (Promotion X1868), from which he graduated on May 10, 1870 as a second lieutenant in the marine artillery regiment.
After a mission in Cochinchina between 1876 and 1878, he was appointed inspector of studies at the École Polytechnique before joining French Sudan in 1880 at the request of Borgnis-Desbordes. He leads various campaigns there allowing France to continue its colonial penetration. He entered Ségou in 1890 and seized Djenné in 1893.
Back in mainland France, he was promoted to brigadier general in April 1896, major general, then commander of the 32nd division in Perpignan. He was appointed to the Superior War Council in 1911. In July 1914, he was promoted to Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. In 1917, he was responsible for creating the Polish army in France. In 1919 he received the military medal.
General Archinard retired to Villiers-le-Bel. The President of the Republic Paul Doumer came to visit him on May 5, 1932. Paul Doumer was assassinated the following day by a Russian emigrant, Paul Gorgulov, when he had gone to “Book Day”. Hit by several revolver bullets, the president, rushed to Beaujon hospital, died during the night. Upon hearing the news, 82-year-old General Louis Archinard collapsed, killed by emotion.