The Flight to Varennes was a critical event in the French Revolution that dramatically altered the course of both the revolution and the fate of the French monarchy. Occurring during the night of June 20-21, 1791, it involved the attempted escape of King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, and their immediate family from revolutionary Paris.

The royal family aimed to reach Montmédy, a town near the northeastern border of France, where loyalist troops were stationed. The plan was to regroup and launch a counter-revolution. However, the escape attempt failed, resulting in the royal family’s arrest in the small town of Varennes-en-Argonne, which ultimately sealed the fate of the French monarchy and deepened revolutionary fervor.

The Flight to Varennes was a complex event with wide-ranging consequences. Its failure revealed the King’s disloyalty to the revolution and transformed the political climate of France. Republican sentiment, once a fringe political idea, became the dominant force among revolutionaries, eventually leading to the abolition of the monarchy and the execution of Louis XVI.

The event is also notable for its reflection of the broader context of revolutionary France, as it exposed the monarchy’s dwindling power and influence, the rising political divisions, and the increasing radicalization of the revolution.

Background and Context

By 1791, the French Revolution was in its third year, and while significant changes had already occurred, the political situation was far from stable. The revolution began in 1789, spurred by widespread dissatisfaction with the Ancien Régime. The monarchy, under King Louis XVI, was facing a severe financial crisis, and the Estates-General, an assembly representing the three estates of French society, had been convened for the first time in over a century to address the issue. This meeting, however, soon evolved into a full-blown revolutionary movement, as the Third Estate (commoners) broke away to form the National Assembly, declaring itself the representative of the people.

In the following years, the revolution dismantled many of the traditional structures of French society. The privileges of the nobility and clergy were abolished, and France moved toward a constitutional monarchy with the adoption of the Constitution of 1791. However, this new political arrangement did not resolve the deep social and economic problems facing the country. Additionally, while the revolution had curbed the power of the monarchy, it did not abolish it, and King Louis XVI still retained considerable influence.

Despite formally accepting the new constitution, Louis XVI was deeply opposed to many of the revolutionary reforms. He was particularly unhappy with the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which placed the Catholic Church under state control and alienated many devout Catholics. The King’s authority had been greatly reduced, and he felt himself to be a virtual prisoner in Paris, surrounded by revolutionaries whom he neither trusted nor supported.

At the same time, revolutionary France was increasingly isolated internationally. Monarchies across Europe viewed the French Revolution with suspicion and fear, as it threatened the established order. This external pressure contributed to Louis XVI’s desire to escape Paris and seek refuge in a part of France where he could regroup with royalist forces and potentially rally foreign support for a counter-revolution.

The Escape Plan

By early 1791, Louis XVI and his advisers began to formulate a plan to escape Paris and reach Montmédy, a town near the French border with the Austrian Netherlands (modern-day Belgium). Montmédy was strategically important because it was a royalist stronghold, and the King believed he could find support from troops loyal to the monarchy in the region. The King also hoped to garner support from foreign powers, including Austria, where Queen Marie Antoinette’s brother, Emperor Leopold II, ruled.

The plan was ambitious and risky. The royal family would leave Paris in secret, disguised as commoners, and travel under the protection of troops stationed along the route. Once they reached Montmédy, the King would issue a proclamation denouncing the revolution and declaring his intention to restore his authority. This plan, however, relied on precise coordination and timing, which would ultimately prove to be its undoing.

On the night of June 20, 1791, the royal family began their escape. Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, their children, and a few loyal attendants left the Tuileries Palace in Paris in a large, heavy coach. They were disguised as a Russian noblewoman’s family, with the King posing as a valet. The Queen’s governess played the role of the noblewoman. The size of the party and the large coach, however, attracted attention, slowing their progress and leading to a series of missteps and delays.

The Failure at Varennes

The royal family made it as far as the small town of Sainte-Menehould without incident, but their presence aroused suspicion. At one stop, the local postmaster, Jean-Baptiste Drouet, recognized the King from his image on currency. Alarmed, Drouet quickly rode ahead to Varennes, where he alerted local officials to prepare for the royal family’s arrival.

When the royal family reached Varennes late at night, they were stopped by local authorities and militia. The King and Queen attempted to assert their identity and continue the journey, but the townspeople, now aware of who they were, refused to let them pass. Despite the King’s pleas, the royal family was arrested and held in Varennes until orders could be received from Paris.

The news of the royal family’s capture spread rapidly, and by the next morning, the National Assembly in Paris had received word of the King’s attempted flight. In a swift response, the Assembly ordered the royal family to be brought back to Paris under guard. The King, Queen, and their children were returned to the capital as prisoners, greeted by a largely hostile crowd.

The Consequences

The failure of the Flight to Varennes had immediate and profound consequences for the French monarchy. Prior to the escape attempt, Louis XVI had retained some degree of support among more moderate revolutionaries who believed that the King could serve as a constitutional monarch within the framework of the new government. However, the attempted flight shattered any remaining illusions of the King’s loyalty to the revolution. It became clear that Louis XVI was willing to abandon the revolutionary government and seek foreign intervention to restore his power.

The royal family’s attempt to flee was seen as an act of betrayal, and accusations of treason quickly followed. The flight also heightened fears that Louis XVI was conspiring with foreign powers, particularly Austria and Prussia, to overthrow the revolution. These fears were not entirely unfounded, as both Austria and Prussia had expressed opposition to the revolution and were considering military intervention.

In the days following the King’s return to Paris, popular sentiment turned decisively against the monarchy. Republicanism, which had been a relatively fringe political position, gained widespread support. Many revolutionaries who had previously advocated for a constitutional monarchy now saw the abolition of the monarchy as necessary for the survival of the revolution.

The National Assembly responded to the flight by suspending the King from his duties and placing the royal family under stricter house arrest in the Tuileries Palace. While the monarchy was not immediately abolished, the events of Varennes set the stage for its eventual downfall. Over the next year, tensions continued to escalate, culminating in the storming of the Tuileries Palace on August 10, 1792, and the formal abolition of the monarchy by the newly convened National Convention in September of that year.

Political Impact and Radicalization

The Flight to Varennes marked a turning point in the radicalization of the French Revolution. Before the failed escape, there was still hope among many moderates that a constitutional monarchy could be sustained, with Louis XVI acting as a figurehead under the new constitutional order. However, after Varennes, the King was increasingly seen as an enemy of the revolution, and the idea of a republic became more appealing to the revolutionaries.

In the immediate aftermath of the flight, the political landscape in France shifted dramatically. The Jacobins, a radical revolutionary faction, gained significant influence, and their calls for the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic grew louder. The King’s betrayal also helped unite various revolutionary factions that had previously been divided, as they now saw the monarchy as a threat to the revolution’s survival.

The flight also led to a rise in revolutionary violence. The people of Paris, already suspicious of the monarchy, became more radicalized, and demands for swift and decisive action against the King increased. This period saw the growth of the sans-culottes, militant working-class revolutionaries who would play a key role in the radical phase of the revolution.

In July 1791, just a month after the failed escape, the Champ de Mars massacre occurred, where the National Guard fired on a crowd of protesters demanding the King’s abdication, killing dozens. This event further deepened divisions between the revolutionaries and those still loyal to the monarchy, and it marked the beginning of a more violent and radical phase of the revolution.

The Fate of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

The failed Flight to Varennes set in motion a series of events that would ultimately lead to the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. After their arrest and return to Paris, the royal family remained under house arrest, with their movements closely monitored. The King’s authority had been effectively nullified, and the monarchy’s days were clearly numbered.

In September 1792, the National Convention officially abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Louis XVI was put on trial for treason in December of that year. The evidence presented against him included documents found in his possession that showed his communication with foreign powers and his attempts to undermine the revolution. In January 1793, Louis XVI was convicted of treason and sentenced to death. He was executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793.

Marie Antoinette, who had also been deeply unpopular among the French public, faced a similar fate. After Louis XVI’s execution, she was held in increasingly harsh conditions, separated from her children and subjected to a series of humiliations. In October 1793, she was put on trial, accused of treason, conspiracy, and even more personal charges, including accusations of immoral behavior. She was found guilty and executed by guillotine on October 16, 1793.

Legacy of the Flight to Varennes

The Flight to Varennes was a watershed moment in the French Revolution, signaling the end of any possibility of a peaceful compromise between the monarchy and the revolution. It revealed the King’s unwillingness to accept the revolutionary changes and confirmed the fears of many that the monarchy could not coexist with the revolution.

The event also played a crucial role in the radicalization of the revolution. It accelerated the decline of moderate revolutionary factions and the rise of radical republicans like the Jacobins, who would dominate the revolution’s next phase. The fear of foreign intervention and royalist conspiracies further intensified the revolution’s violence, leading to the Reign of Terror in 1793-1794, during which thousands of perceived enemies of the revolution were executed.

In retrospect, the Flight to Varennes is seen as a moment of irreversible rupture between the monarchy and the people of France. It transformed Louis XVI from a potential constitutional monarch into a symbol of treachery and betrayal. The event also set the stage for the eventual abolition of the monarchy, the rise of republicanism, and the transformation of France into a republic that would forever change the political landscape of Europe.

Conclusion

The Flight to Varennes is one of the most important episodes of the French Revolution, encapsulating the breakdown of trust between the monarchy and the revolution. It led to the radicalization of revolutionary politics, the eventual downfall of the French monarchy, and the rise of the republic. The event not only sealed the fate of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette but also marked the point at which the French Revolution entered its most transformative and tumultuous phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was King Louis XVI’s plan during the Flight to Varennes?

King Louis XVI’s plan was to escape to Montmédy, where royalist troops were stationed, in hopes of joining them to launch a counter-revolution and regain control over France from the revolutionary forces in Paris.

Why did the Flight to Varennes fail?

The escape failed because the royal family was recognized at a previous stop in Sainte-Menehould, which led to their arrest in the small town of Varennes-en-Argonne. Several missteps, including logistical delays and poor decisions by the King, also contributed to the failure.

How did the failed flight affect the public’s view of the monarchy?

The failed flight marked a significant turning point in how the French public perceived the monarchy. It exposed King Louis XVI’s disloyalty to the revolution, intensifying public distrust of both the King and Queen. Many revolutionaries and ordinary citizens saw the attempt as a betrayal, which deepened hostility toward the monarchy.

What were some key reasons for the failure of the escape attempt?

The failure was due to logistical errors, delays, and poor decisions regarding the timing and organization of the journey. King Louis XVI also overestimated the level of support for the monarchy, mistakenly believing that the majority of the French population, particularly peasants, still supported him.

How did the Flight to Varennes impact revolutionary sentiment in France?

The Flight to Varennes was a traumatic event for France, leading to widespread fears of foreign intervention. It revealed that King Louis XVI had rejected the revolutionary reforms, which shocked many people who had previously seen him as a constitutional monarch. This pushed republicanism from being a fringe idea to a dominant political force.

What happened to the royal family after their arrest in Varennes?

After their arrest, the royal family was brought back to Paris and placed under strict house arrest in the Tuileries Palace. This effectively ended the monarchy’s authority, and calls for King Louis XVI’s abdication grew stronger.

What was the long-term significance of the Flight to Varennes for the French Revolution?

The failed flight shifted the revolution from a constitutional monarchy to a more radical movement, leading to the establishment of a republic. It deepened popular resentment toward the monarchy, and republicanism became the dominant ideology among revolutionaries.

Did anyone else attempt to flee on the same night as the King?

Yes, the King’s brother, the Count of Provence, fled on the same night but through a different route. Unlike Louis XVI, he successfully escaped and spent the revolution in exile. After the fall of Napoleon, he returned to France as King Louis XVIII.