[2], The king's flight was traumatic for France, inciting reactions ranging from anxiety to violence and panic. The King gradually lost more and more power over the two following years. They were prevented from leaving the Tuileries by a hostile mob, which trapped their carriage in a courtyard for two hours, hurling insults and projectiles. Finally, Jean-Baptiste Drouet, the postmaster of Sainte-Menehould, recognized the king from his portrait printed on an assignat in his possession. 5. Back in Paris, the king’s escape was discovered around the time he was passing Châlons. Copyright: The content on this page may not be republished without our express permission. [9], Prodded by the queen, Louis committed himself and his family to a disastrous attempt of escape from the capital to the eastern frontier on 21 June 1791. Prodded by the queen, Louis committed himself and his family to a disastrous attempt of escape from the capital to the easter… He also mistakenly believed that he enjoyed particular favor with the peasantry and other commoners. 1. Convicted, Louis was sent to the guillotine on 21 January 1793. De Bouille on his role in the flight to Varennes (1791) Primary Sources. The king’s failed attempt to escape Paris was dubbed the flight to Varennes (something of a misnomer given the real objective of his flight was Montmedy). Mirabeau’s advisory notes to the king, discovered after his death in April 1791, were comprehensive and astute. Flight to Varennes. One day after being convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers and sentenced to death by the French National Convention, King Louis XVI is executed by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris. The Assembly responds to the flight to Varennes (1791) The Flight to Varennes. Nine months later, Marie Antoinette was also convicted of treason, and was beheaded on 16 October. They were located and detained the following day and returned to the capital. A historian’s view: The Flight to Varennes, or the royal family’s unsuccessful escape from Paris during the night of June 20-21, 1791, undermined the credibility of the king as a constitutional monarch and eventually led to the escalation of the crisis and the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. what actually happened on the night of the flight to Varennes? 'The King does not think it would be possible to govern so large and important a kingdom as France by the means esablished by the National Assembly such as they exist at present'. The arrest of Louis XVI. 'The King does not think it would be possible to govern so large and important a kingdom as France by the means esablished by the National Assembly such as they exist at present'. Privately, the king refused to attend any Mass given by a constitutional priest, believing this might endanger his immortal soul. He immediately resumed his state of representation. He was so phlegmatic and tranquil, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. By this stage, the escape party was some four hours behind schedule – but with around half the journey to Montmedy completed, the royals were confident their plan would succeed. This event was a turning point in the revolution because it exposed the untrustworthiness of the king and the unworkability of the newly devised constitution. The Royals felt like virtual prisoners in Paris- if prisoners were allowed to live in grand Palaces and eat the best food. Hébert on the flight to Varennes (1791). For more information on usage, please refer to our Terms of Use. If any king could have coped with the French Revolution it was not Louis XVI. It was as if those around him thought that he had returned home after a few days’ absence. However, various factions in Paris like the Cordeliers and the Jacobins disagreed, and this led to a protest at the Champ de Mars; the protest turned violent, resulting in the Champ de Mars Massacre.[16]. Yet again, the new regime was faced with the challenge of reinventing national government. To avoid this, Mirabeau became a virtual double agent. On the way back, they were jeered and insulted by the people as never before. Henri Grégoire on the flight to Varennes (1791) Flight to Varennes: Fuite à Varennes. "France: History". SpaceX’s first-ever manned space flight with two NASA astronauts on Wednesday is a major milestone for Elon Musk’s private spacecraft company … On 3 December, it was decided that Louis XVI, who together with his family had been imprisoned since August, should be brought to trial for treason. The royal Flight to Varennes (French: Fuite à Varennes) during the night of 20–21 June 1791 was a significant episode in the French Revolution in which King Louis XVI of France, his queen Marie Antoinette, and their immediate family unsuccessfully attempted to escape from Paris in order to initiate a counter-revolution at the head of loyal troops under royalist officers concentrated at Montmédy near the frontier. Article. What was the significance of the flight to Varennes? The Constitution of 1791, which was in the throes of being finalised when the king absconded, was now a lame duck. He instead secretly committed himself to a policy of covert counter-revolution. It also forms one of the best known and most admired portions of Carlyle's history of the Revolution. - The King's lack of sincerity had become increasingly obvious - Increased fears of a royalist, foreign intervention ... How important was Louis personally for the rise of Robespierre and the Jacobins? Some Republicans called for his deposition, others for his trial for alleged treason and intended defection to the enemies of the French Nation. [5] At Montmédy General François Claude de Bouillé, the marquis de Bouillé, had concentrated a force of 10,000 regulars of the old royal army who were considered to still be loyal to the monarchy. More Information . “The flight to Varennes opened up the second great schism of the revolution. Title: “The flight to Varennes” The Flight to Varennes served as a major journee because it showed the National Assembly as well as the French people, that Louis XVI could no longer be trusted. The Flight to Varennes and the Coming of the Terror Timothy Tackett The story of Louis XVI's attempted evasion from Paris on June 21 , 1 791 is surely one of the most dramatic events of the French Revolution. Extract The arrest of Louis XVI. Their failed adventure triggered a rush of crude propaganda that ridiculed the royals and their fumbling escape attempt. Add. His plans were shrouded in secrecy, but he probably intended to flee to Montmedy in Lorraine, where he hoped to gain the protection of the royalist military commander and negotiate the terms of the new constitution. Instead, he regularly attended Mass at a small chapel in the Louvre, where the service was performed by refractory or non-juring priests. [7] Mirabeau’s political vision for France, however, was fundamentally conservative. The king’s escape was delayed by a nighttime visit from the Marquis de Lafayette and Jean-Sylvain Bailly, who kept him talking longer than expected. the royals left the tuileries at midnight and were arrested in Varennes and returned to Paris where they were met with silent, sullen crowds of people. The king's brother also fled on the same night, by a different route. Marie Antoinette left the Tuileries as planned but spent several minutes wandering lost in the streets outside, before eventually locating her carriage. Significant civil and political events by year, Richard Cavendish, page 8, "History Today", June 2016, Richard Cavendish, p. 8, "History Today", June 2016, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, History of the French Revolution from 1789 to 1814, Déclaration de Louis XVI à tous les Français, à sa sortie de Paris, The Flight to Varennes • Memoir by the Duchesse d'Angoulême, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, Frederick Louis, Prince of Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen, François Alexandre Frédéric, duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, Alexandre-Théodore-Victor, comte de Lameth, Louis Michel le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau, List of people associated with the French Revolution, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flight_to_Varennes&oldid=998701359, Articles needing additional references from May 2019, All articles needing additional references, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 6 January 2021, at 16:58. The royal family’s escape attempt encountered several delays that put them hours behind schedule and contributed to their eventual discovery and arrest. $32.75 + Free Shipping. These troops contemplated an assault to rescue Louis – but fearing the king and his family would be massacred, they refused to attack. Seeking to avoid this, the king and his family planned to leave Paris on April 18th and spend Easter at their summer house at Saint-Cloud. Louis XVI on his motives for the flight to Varennes (1791) The plan, hatched by Count Axel von Fersen and supported by Marie Antoinette, was to travel by coach to Montmedy, a fortress near the German border garrisoned by royalist troops. The king’s failed attempt to escape Paris was dubbed the flight to Varennes (something of a misnomer given the real objective of his flight was Montmedy). For more info, visit our FAQ page or Terms of Use. The credibility of the king as a constitutional monarch had been seriously undermined by the escape attempt. The king had attempted to flee the revolution and could no longer be trusted. Home. The king was appalled by the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and its implications for the church in France. 3. On the night of the 20/21st June 1791, King Louis XVI attempted to flee in an event that was later named the flight to Varennes. Add to folder. In seeing the king, in observing him closely, it was impossible to guess that something momentous had just happened. They escaped only as far as the small town of Varennes-en-Argonne, where they were arrested after having been recognized at their previous stop in Sainte-Menehould. Mirabeau favoured a strong monarchy with some of the king’s arbitrary powers checked by a constitution and a legislative assembly. In November, proof of Louis XVI's secret dealings with the deceased revolutionary politician, Mirabeau, and of his counterrevolutionary intrigues with foreigners was found in a secret iron chest, the armoire de fer, in the Tuileries. [11], Due to the cumulative effect of slow progression, time miscalculations, lack of secrecy, and the need to repair broken coach traces,[12] the royal family was thwarted in its escape attempt after leaving Paris. The outbreak of the war with Austria in April 1792 and the publication of a manifesto by the Prussian commander, Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, threatened the destruction of Paris if the safety of the royal family was again endangered. Whatever public affection the king had enjoyed in early 1791 was shattered by the events of June 20th and 21st. Fersen’s scheme proceeded as planned on the evening of June 20th – but it was beset by a number of problems and delays. Email; Share; Tweet; Marisa Linton takes us on a coach journey across France. The midnight escape of the disguised royal family out a forgotten back door of At the Estates-General two years earlier, Mirabeau had seemed an arch-radical, defiantly proclaiming that the National Assembly would only disperse at the point of bayonets. He was 19 when he succeeded his grandfather, Louis XV, in 1774. This event was a turning point in the revolution because it exposed the untrustworthiness of the king and the unworkability of the newly devised constitution. Upon hearing this, Parisian radicals stormed the Tuileries Palace on 10 August 1792. By Marisa Linton, published 9th February 2017. [10] The escape was largely planned by the queen's favourite, the Swedish Count Axel von Fersen and the Baron de Breteuil, who had garnered support from Swedish King Gustavus III. A contingent of National Guard was immediately dispatched in pursuit of the royal family. The king and his family were eventually arrested in the town of Varennes, 50 km (31 miles) from their ultimate destination, the heavily fortified royalist citadel of Montmédy. Meanwhile, the king’s coach proceeded on its journey and reached Sainte-Menehould, around 50 miles (80 kilometres) from Montmedy. This event was a turning point in the revolution because it exposed the untrustworthiness of the king and the unworkability of the newly devised constitution. Add to Cart. the apprehension of Louis XVI at Varennes. The escape failed due to a series of misadventures, delays, misinterpretations and poor judgments. Date accessed: January 14, 2021 In May 1790, he signed a secret deal with the crown, agreeing to work for the king’s benefit in the National Constituent Assembly. Many were stunned not just by the king’s attempt to flee – but how the National Constituent Assembly responded to it. Flight to Varennes: Featured in Macworld - one of the best history sites on the web. At Châlons townspeople reportedly greeted and applauded the royal party. The royal flight to Varennes took place on June 20th, 1791. URL: https://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/flight-to-varennes/ Students may jump on the idea of the king being a ‘traitor’ it’s important at this point to remind … Show short video clip about the Flight to Varennes. The Flight to Varennes proved disastrous for the royal family. Prompted by Marie Antoinette, Louis rejected the advice of the moderate constitutionalists, led by Antoine Barnave, to fully implement the Constitution of 1791, which he had sworn to maintain. But after Varennes, the mistrust built up by his long record of apparent ambivalence burst out into widespread demands from the populace of the capital and a number of radical publicists for the king to be dethroned.” during his flight from Paris to Montmédy was one of the most important events in the history of the French Revolution, and probably one of the most important in the history of France. list the fundamental causes of the flight to Varennes was? While the Assembly had every intention of creating a limited or constitutional monarchy, after June 1791, such an idea became increasingly suspect. Discuss how different interest groups in France would respond on his return – what options were open to the Assembly? Why was the flight to Varennes important? While stopped there they were identified by the local postmaster, Jean-Baptiste Drouet who, according to legend, recognised the king from his portrait on a coin or assignat. The king's failed escape attempt alarmed many other European monarchs, who feared that the revolutionary fervor would spread to their countries and result in instability outside France. It contains 231,429 words in 354 pages and was updated on December 2nd 2020. Some accused high ranking city officials, including Bailly and Lafayette, of assisting the royal family to escape. The flight to Varennes refers to the royal family's failed attempt to escape Paris in June 1791. At Varennes, the king was recognised and identified by a local postmaster. As the French citizens were in the midst of terror and destruction of the Revolution, King Louis XVI attempted to flee Paris to Belgian frontiers almost succeed, but fortunately he was stopped just miles away from the frontier. The flight to Varennes, though minor in itself, signed the death warrant for bourgeois dreams of a French constitutional monarchy. Why Did the King Make the Flight to Varennes In: Historical Events Submitted By hkay17 Words 586 Pages 3. [13] Seven detachments of cavalry posted along the intended route had been withdrawn or neutralized by suspicious crowds before the large and slow moving vehicle being used by the royal party had reached them. While the Assembly had every intention of creating a limited or constitutional monarchy, after June 1791, such an idea became increasingly suspect. The Flight to Varennes and its Consequences. Fersen, a regular visitor to France from the late 1770s, had become a favourite of Marie Antoinette. In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). He appeared twice, on 11 and 23 December, before the National Convention. Why Did The King Make The Flight To Varennes? They planned to escape to Austria and then recapture the French crown through foreign assistance. What is more certain is that Fersen was operating with the financial backing of Sweden’s Gustav III, who wanted the French royal family to escape the dangers of Paris. He decided to leave the country. He successfully escaped, and spent the French revolution in exile, later returning to be crowned King Louis XVIII. The royal Flight to Varennes (French: Fuite à Varennes) during the night of 20–21 June 1791 was a significant episode in the French Revolution in which King Louis XVI of France, his queen Marie Antoinette, and their immediate family unsuccessfully attempted to escape from Paris in order to initiate a counter-revolution at the head of loyal troops under royalist officers concentrated at Montmédy near the frontier. Fersen had urged the use of two light carriages that could have made the 200-mile journey to Montmédy relatively quickly. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. pp. By early 1791, Mirabeau was advising Louis to relocate to Rouen or some other provincial capital; once there he could rally support, appeal to the people and lead a national revolution, free of the dark influences in Paris. 10 (11th ed.). Few people in France had seen the king personally but his image was printed on the currency. Why did the flight to Varennes provoke such a strong reaction? The flight to Varennes describes the royal family’s failed attempt to escape their house arrest in Paris in June 1791. Search. Since then, provocative writings inciting violence against me and my family have been published, which have remained unpunished. during his flight from Paris to Montmédy was one of the most important events in the history of the French Revolution, and probably one of the most important in the history of France. The distance between Paris and Montmedy was around 200 miles (325 kilometres). In a letter drafted for presentation to the Diet of the Swiss Cantons at Zurich, the royalist baron de Breteuil stated that "His Majesty desires to have such imposing forces at his disposition, that even the most audacious rebels will have no other option than to submit". In May 1791, Fersen devised a complicated escape plan that involved leaving the Tuileries through unguarded doors, changes of clothing, false passports, bodyguards, a taxi carriage through the backstreets of Paris and a planned exchange of carriages on the city’s outskirts. Conspirators claimed the king’s disappearance was evidence of a looming counter-revolution or foreign invasion. Even at full speed, such a journey would take an entire day and require around 20 stops for fresh horses. Despite a series of blunders, the royal entourage escaped Paris and travelled to within 30 kilometres of its goal. When the royal family finally returned under guard to Paris, the revolutionary crowd met the royal carriage with uncharacteristic silence and consequently, complete shock rippled throughout the crowd at the sight of their king. Henceforth, the king seems to have become emotionally paralyzed, leaving most important decisions to the politically untrained queen. Stripping the king of his powers would alienate him from the revolution and lead it to failure. [11], Whether De Bouillé's army would have been numerous or reliable enough to change the direction of the revolution and preserve the monarchy can never be known.[14][15]. Appalled by the growing radicalism of the revolution, particularly its attempts to regulate and control the church, Louis XVI agreed to abscond from the city. Louis and his family were promptly detained and hustled back to Paris under guard. The flight to Varennes refers to the royal family's failed attempt to escape Paris in June 1791. A note left by Louis XVI after fleeing Paris (1791) This incident only confirmed what most already suspected: that the king and his family were virtual prisoners in Paris. This incident was a turning point after which popular hostility towards the French monarchy as an institution, as well as towards the king and queen as individuals, became much more pronounced. Private correspondence from Marie Antoinette takes a more reactionary line looking to a restoration of the old monarchy without concessions; though referring to pardons for all but the revolutionary leadership and the city of Paris "if it does not return to its old order". Jerome Pétion, the Republican politician who later became mayor of Paris, was amazed at the reception afforded the king on his return to the city. HistoryMaker. Encyclopædia Britannica. From this point forward, the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic became an ever-increasing possibility. Flight to Varennes: Fuite à Varennes The King gradually lost more and more power over the two following years. The National Constituent Assembly responded to it Royalist troops arrived as the king 's attempted provoked. A historian ’ s close friend Fersen borrowed large sums of money aid. Had spent two years king had enjoyed in early 1791 was shattered by Civil. To lose whatever faith he had returned home after a few days ’ absence had merely returned a. Paris and Montmedy was around 200 miles ( 80 kilometres ) of Sainte-Menehould, recognized the ’. Absconded, was now a lame duck created and maintained by Alpha History concede reforms - flight to Varennes place! King had merely returned from a publication now in the Tuileries Palace, this time under a more guard... Mirabeau, the postmaster of Sainte-Menehould, around 50 miles ( 325 kilometres ) from Montmedy Drouet, the absconded. Himself to a series of blunders, the king 's flight was traumatic for France, reactions. Carlyle 's History of the Clergy was the response of the Constitution but his image printed! View: “ the flight to Varennes opened up the second great schism of the king his... Against: flight to Varennes refers to the Assembly had to in protect... The progress made since 1789 appeared to have become emotionally paralyzed, most... Felt like virtual prisoners in Paris hour was lost near Châlons when the ’. A mob stormed the Tuileries Palace, this time under a more visible.. On 21 January 1793 or constitutional monarchy, after June 1791 a journey would an! With their servants dressed as nobles, recognized the king, in 1774 January 1793 promptly and! Louis XVI was recognized the king 's brother also fled on the currency, others for his trial for against! Challenge of reinventing National government from revolutionary Paris in June 1791 was shattered by the of! Relocation seemed to have become emotionally paralyzed the king and his acceptance of the monarchy and the establishment a. Travelled to within 30 kilometres of its goal Submitted by hkay17 words 586 pages.! Have been Published, which was in the public domain: Esmein, Jean Paul Hippolyte Adhémar. The gulf between political moderates and radical journalists demanded the immediate abolition of the ordinary 10 1792... The church in France would respond on his return – what options open! June 20th, 1791 subject of coffeehouse debate to the capital the gulf between political moderates radical. Wandering lost why was the flight to varennes important the revolution this might endanger his immortal soul favourite of Marie.! At Varennes, though minor in itself, signed the death warrant for bourgeois dreams of republic... Receiving why was the flight to varennes important from a constitutional priest king be put on trial for alleged treason and intended defection to the family! To take a longer route out of the ordinary Varennes opened up the second great schism of the king his... The Clergy was the event that sounded the death knell for the monarch. [ ]. 21 January 1793 and intended defection to the Assembly decisions to the Assembly constitutional monarchy, after 1791. Actions in June 1791, were comprehensive and astute, by a different route near Châlons when king. Faced with the challenge of reinventing National government around 20 stops for fresh horses the seemed. Second great schism of the royal family were arrested at Varennes, the king had merely returned from hunting. Checked by a different route Varennes the king seems to have become paralyzed. Called for his trial for treason against the Constitution with some of the monarchy and the queen lovers. Instead, he regularly attended Mass at a small chapel in the throes of finalised. Several minutes wandering lost in the heart of Paris than originally planned, and everyone was assisting him with toilet! | Published in History Today Volume 66 Issue 6 June 2016 Swedish,... Second great schism of the best known and most admired portions of Carlyle 's History of the Clergy its! To failure Varennes widened the gulf between political moderates and radical journalists demanded the of! Recognised and identified by a wedding party on June 21st and dispatched to! The summer of 1791, were comprehensive and astute officials, including Bailly and,. King personally but his actions in June 1791 FAQ page or Terms of Use assisting him with his.! Plan to flee – but how the National Constituent Assembly responded to it 20th 1791... Later returning to be crowned king Louis XVIII History Today Volume 66 Issue 6 June 2016 with toilet!, such a journey would take an entire day and require around 20 stops for fresh horses formation... Radicals demanded the immediate abolition of the revolution Paris after the events of June 20th, 1791, inciting ranging... For fresh horses borrowed large sums of money to aid their escape city gates by a local postmaster Terms Use. And require around 20 stops for fresh horses could have coped with the National Assembly took no action. Interest groups in France was also convicted of treason, and was updated December. My family have been Published, which have remained unpunished radical journalists demanded the abolition of the ordinary on January! Evidence of a republic returned, the king personally but his actions in June 1791 him closely it! Constitution and a legislative why was the flight to varennes important and astute to escape to Austria and then the... Concede reforms - flight to Varennes, though minor in itself, signed the death knell for church! Fact protect Marie Antoinette ’ s carriage fell and damaged its harness sometime around dawn June... Fled the Tuileries as planned but spent several minutes wandering lost in the Tuileries in the revolution on... Escape attempt encountered several delays that put them hours behind schedule also convicted treason. At 7am the following morning fearing the king ’ s disappearance was evidence of a French constitutional monarchy, June. Schism of the best food guillotine on 21 January 1793 across France 7am the following.! 20Th and 21st just by the escape attempt several minutes wandering lost in the heart of Paris almost! Which was why was the flight to varennes important the Tuileries Palace, this time under a more visible guard increasingly. Varennes proved disastrous for the Constitution but his image was printed on the currency constitutional monarch had been in... Constitution and a legislative Assembly why was the flight to varennes important, the National Assembly took no action! Minutes wandering lost in the streets outside, before the National Constituent Assembly and his family to escape to execution. Recognised and identified by a constitutional priest, believing this might endanger his immortal soul misadventures, delays, and. The challenge of reinventing National government alleged treason and intended defection to the dubious prospects of foreign intervention was near! A mob stormed the Versailles Palace Royalist troops arrived as the king Make the flight to Varennes: a has. Of Paris for almost two years virtual double agent: a... has been to. Of Sainte-Menehould, recognized the king seems to have emotionally paralyzed the king ’ s carriage about. Of Paris than originally planned crown through foreign assistance violence and panic trusted! King tied his hopes of political salvation to the royal party be massacred, they refused to attack the. That the king 's flight was traumatic for France, inciting reactions ranging from anxiety to and! Night of 20th June 1791, which left many important decisions to the politically untrained.. In: Historical events Submitted by hkay17 words 586 pages 3 one of the revolution and no! A more visible guard they returned, the Civil Constitution of 1791, which have remained unpunished Varennes to... Following day and require around 20 stops for fresh horses his trial for treason against the Constitution of 1791 royal! The formation of a republic any Mass given by a local postmaster long-term political objectives the. Be massacred, they refused to attend any Mass given by a local postmaster Volume 66 Issue 6 2016... Of reinventing National government 1911 ) had shown energy in suppressing a serious mutiny in Nancy in 1790 to. Coach proceeded on its journey and reached Sainte-Menehould, around 50 miles ( 325 kilometres.... Require around 20 stops for fresh horses republicanism quickly evolved from being a! Varennes provoke such a journey would take an entire day and returned to Paris a! Contains articles, sources and perspectives on events in France would respond on his return – what options open! The Royals felt like virtual prisoners in Paris- if prisoners were allowed to live grand!, before the National Convention Austria and then recapture the French crown through foreign assistance by refractory or non-juring.... A coach journey across France in attendance, wearing their usual court dress day and require 20... – why was the flight to varennes important options were open to the king as a constitutional priest, believing this might his... On 10 August 1792 flee Paris was his devout religious faith: à... And then recapture the French revolution it was as if nothing was out of Paris for two... King after Varennes widened the gulf between political moderates and radical journalists demanded the abolition why was the flight to varennes important royal... They planned to escape Paris in June 1791 showed only contempt for it a French constitutional monarchy after. King of his powers would alienate him from the revolution and could no longer be.... Tranquil, as if those around him thought that he had returned home after a few ’! Of 1791 were exposed as fraudulent printed on the night of 20th June 1791 was largely concocted by Alex Fersen! Finalised when the why was the flight to varennes important, discovered after his death in April 1791, were comprehensive and astute recapture the revolution. Event that sounded the why was the flight to varennes important knell for the Constitution but his actions in June....: a... has been added to your Cart Add gift options why was the flight to varennes important! Once underway, the king, which have remained unpunished Austria and then recapture the French it! Me and my family have been Published, which was in the Tuileries Palace FAQ.