The massacre of Vassy, on 1 March 1562, provoked open hostilities between the factions supporting the two religions. A group of Protestant nobles, led by the prince of Condé and proclaiming that they were liberating the king and regent from "evil" councillors, organised a kind of protectorate over the Protestant churches. On 2 April 1562, Condé and his Protestant followers seized the city of Orléans. Their example was soon followed by Protestant groups around France. Protestants seized and garrisoned the strategic towns of Angers, Blois, and Tours along the Loire River. In the Rhône River valley, Protestants under François de Beaumont, baron des Adrets, attacked Valence; in this attack Guise's lieutenant was killed. Later, the Protestants captured Lyon in 29–30 April and proceeded to demolish all Catholic institutions in the city.