City en fete for the arrival of the French fleet... just a century after Trafalgar

Who would have thought it – just 100 years after the Battle of Trafalgar and Portsmouth was rolling out the red carpet for the French fleet’s arrival in the dockyard. The entente was ever so cordial. That was in 1905 and all our pictures today are from that year or close to it. Go to portsmouth.co.uk and tap the Retro tab at the top to see the whole collection.

Treadgolds Warehouse, Bishop Street, Portsea in 1905. The man on the left is believed to be Mr Treadgold. The other two are unknown. Picture: Courtesy of Richard Sexton

Guildhall Square, Portsmouth's Welcome to the French Fleet on August 10, 1905. Picture: Portsmouth Museum Service, Portsmouth City Council.

The French navy in Guildhall Square 1905. L'Entente Cordiale. Picture: Portsmouth Museums Service.

The entrance to Gunwharf in all its glory, celebrating the arrival of the French Fleet on August 7, 1905.

Wheatstone Road, Southsea, about 1905.