In the spring of 1792, the First French Republic declared war on the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont. In the fall, the French invaded the County of Nice on the Mediterranean coast and Duchy of Savoy in the northwest. The French seized Chambéry in Savoy on 24 September and Nice on 29 September. In the south, the Piedmontese army withdrew to a powerful defensive position at Saorge (Saorgio), blocking access to the strategically important Col de Tende (Tenda Pass). The onset of winter weather spared Piedmont the loss of more territories.