Paul Barras
At the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789, Barras advocated the democratic cause and became one of the administrators of the Var department. By June 1792 he took his seat in the high national court at Orléans. Later that year he became commissioner to the French Army facing Sardinian forces in the Italian Peninsula. He entered the National Convention as a deputy for the Var shortly after the start of the French Revolutionary Wars. In January 1793 he voted with the majority for the execution of Louis XVI. During this period he remained mostly absent from Paris on missions to the south-eastern regions of France. While away he made the acquaintance of Napoleon Bonaparte during the Siege of Toulon. His later accounts claimed the siege involved 30,000 men against a minor royalist force of only 12,000. He also sought to minimize Bonaparte's role in capturing the city when writing his Memoirs.
In 1794 Barras sided with those seeking to overthrow Maximilien Robespierre's faction. The Thermidorian Reaction occurred on the 27th of July 1794 and propelled him to prominence. When the Convention felt threatened by malcontent National Guards of Paris it appointed Barras to command troops for its defense. His nomination of Bonaparte led to violent measures ensuring the dispersion of royalists near the Tuileries Palace. This event became known as the 13 Vendémiaire or the 5th of October 1795. Subsequently Barras became one of five Directors controlling the executive power of the French Republic. James Gillray created a caricature in 1805 showing Barras being entertained by the naked dancing of Thérésa Tallien and Joséphine Bonaparte. Napoleon Bonaparte appears taking a peek from the right side of that image.
Barras maintained intimate relations with Joséphine de Beauharnais throughout his tenure. He helped facilitate a marriage between her and Bonaparte early in 1796. Some contemporaries alleged this connection influenced his nomination of Bonaparte to command the army of Italy. Bonaparte's success provided unprecedented stability to the Directory government. In summer 1797 royalist and Girondist opposition met resistance against the government again. Bonaparte sent General Charles-Pierre Augereau to repress their movement during the Coup of 18 Fructidor on the 4th of September 1797. The Directory controlled France through these years until its collapse. Barras managed executive power while navigating complex political alliances within the revolutionary framework.
Barras was alleged to have dozens of mistresses and male lovers during his public life. Contemporary accounts claimed the corruption of his administration was extraordinary even for France. His alleged immorality in both public and private life contributed significantly to the fall of the Directory regime. These scandals played a major role in the creation of the Consulate that followed. Napoleon met little resistance during his 18 Brumaire coup in November 1799. Barras supported the change of government but was left aside when the First Consul reshaped French governance. The allegations surrounding his personal conduct became central to understanding why the Directory collapsed so quickly.
Since he had amassed a large fortune, Barras spent his later years in luxury despite political setbacks. Napoleon confined him to the Château de Grosbois which was Barras's own property before exiling him further. He was sent to Brussels and Rome then ultimately interned in Montpellier in 1810. After being set free following the fall of the Empire he died in Chaillot on the 29th of January 1829. He was interred in Père Lachaise Cemetery where many famous figures rest today. Although a partisan of the Second Restoration he remained under check during the reigns of Louis XVIII and Charles X. His Memoirs were censored after his death by authorities who feared their content. Richard McCabe portrayed Barras in the 2007 BBC series Heroes and Villains while Tahar Rahim played him in the 2023 film Napoleon.
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Common questions
When was Paul Barras born and where did he die?
Paul François Jean Nicolas, Vicomte de Barras was born at Fox-Amphoux on the 30th of June 1755. He died in Chaillot on the 29th of January 1829.
What role did Paul Barras play during the Siege of Toulon?
Paul Barras made the acquaintance of Napoleon Bonaparte during the Siege of Toulon while serving as a deputy for the Var. His later accounts claimed the siege involved 30,000 men against a minor royalist force of only 12,000.
How did Paul Barras contribute to the Thermidorian Reaction?
The Thermidorian Reaction occurred on the 27th of July 1794 and propelled Paul Barras to prominence after he sided with those seeking to overthrow Maximilien Robespierre's faction. The Convention appointed him to command troops for its defense when it felt threatened by malcontent National Guards of Paris.
Why is Paul Barras associated with the fall of the Directory regime?
Contemporary accounts claimed the corruption of his administration was extraordinary even for France. These scandals played a major role in the creation of the Consulate that followed and contributed significantly to the fall of the Directory regime.
Where was Paul Barras interred after his death?
Paul Barras died in Chaillot on the 29th of January 1829. He was interred in Père Lachaise Cemetery where many famous figures rest today.