On 7 July 1807, an extraordinary moment in European history unfolded as French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte and Russian Tsar Alexander I met on a raft in the middle of the Neman River.
Its unique and symbolic setting marked the signing of the first Treaty of Tilsit, a diplomatic accord that reshaped the geopolitical landscape.
The two formidable leaders, once adversaries, now sought to forge a new alliance, delineating spheres of influence and bringing a temporary halt to their conflict.
The meeting on the raft epitomised the blend of pragmatism and theatrics that characterised Napoléon's diplomatic manoeuvres, setting the stage for a complex and often tumultuous alliance between France and Russia.
