1812 - Why didn't Napoleon target St Petersburg instead of Moscow

I would like to know why Napoleon drove straight east towards Moscow, which was not even the capital of Imperial Russia, instead of driving on St Petersburg. A drive North would have threatened the seat of the Imperial Government and would have left only one flank to protect instead of being exposed on both flanks. I don't know the naval balance of power in the Baltic, but if France had the upper hand that would also enable supply and support by sea. And I don't see the Russian government as willing to abondon and burn St Pete. So why Moscow, other than symbolism?
 
He did have part of the army on route to St Petersburg, they got stopped. He didn't so much as drive towards Moscow as he got led there. It was a trap. All he wanted was a grand battle, win, and dictate terms. Not occupy a country in a big campaign. No reason to suspect Moscow was the end goal, other than its location is a good one as a base for operations in securing the country and making sure there's no back talk.
 
He did not have the upper hand in the Baltic - or indeed in any waters much beyond the estuaries of the Seine and Loire.

The RN under Admiral Saumaurez had control there, and would have sunk or captured any French troopships or supply ships rash enough to stick their noses out of port.
 
He once said something like this: Taking St. Petersburg would be like scratching Russia's head; taking Kiev would be like tickling Russia's foot; but taking Moscow would be striking into Russia's heart.
 
I would like to know why Napoleon drove straight east towards Moscow, which was not even the capital of Imperial Russia, instead of driving on St Petersburg. A drive North would have threatened the seat of the Imperial Government and would have left only one flank to protect instead of being exposed on both flanks. I don't know the naval balance of power in the Baltic, but if France had the upper hand that would also enable supply and support by sea. And I don't see the Russian government as willing to abondon and burn St Pete. So why Moscow, other than symbolism?

Napoleon did not go straight towards Moscow. He decided to so so only in august, almost 2 months after starting his russian campaign. And he did so because he was chasing the main russian army. So he began perceiving this could lead to Moscow and thought the necessary defense of Miscow would compell the russians to offer him the pitched battle they had been evading. And he made witticisms because he like to. Napoleon liked to make such statements so as to appear like a visionary. So to be sure he would be right he often said one thing and its contrary.
 
Hmm, he did? For example?

There are so many examples in the Memorial of Saint Helena. For example he both said that Bernadotte was a traitor and that he was not a traitor. And he said in quite many matters that, on a given matter or situation, he should have done one thing and then that he should have done something else and then something different again.
 
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