Sénat conservateur
The Senate convened for the first time on the 25th of December 1799 within the Luxembourg Palace. Napoleon Bonaparte had just seized power through the Coup of 18 Brumaire to reshape France's government. The Constitution of Year VIII created this advisory body as a guardian of the new regime. It consisted of exactly sixty permanent members who could not be removed from their posts. These senators were required to be at least forty years old when they took office. No elections determined their membership, breaking with previous revolutionary practices. Outgoing consuls Sieyès and Roger Ducos became automatic members by right of their former offices. They then selected twenty-nine other senators to form a working majority. This group chose the remaining members themselves without outside interference. The assembly met in a semicircle of seats added by architect Chalgrin. The constitution explicitly stated that these sittings would never be public.
A revision of the Constitution occurred in year X during 1802 to strengthen the Senate's authority. Senators began ruling via acts known as sénatus-consultes that carried the force of law. These acts addressed matters unforeseen by the original constitutional text requiring immediate political action. The number of senators increased to one hundred twenty under these new rules. First Consul Bonaparte directly controlled both the activity and composition of the body. He convened meetings personally and presided over them whenever he chose. Napoleon reserved the right to present candidates for senatorial positions to the assembly. He could also name senators of his own initiative without waiting for nominations. An amnesty for émigrés was granted through a sénatus-consulte on the 26th of April 1802. Another act proclaimed Napoleon First Consul for life on the 4th of August 1802. The Senate used this power to reunite Elba into French territory later that same month.
Napoleon introduced the system of sénatoreries in January 1803 to ensure total compliance from senators. By June 1804, thirty-six senators received these special grants making them regional super-prefets. Each recipient gained the right to occupy a residential palace such as a château or former episcopal building. They also received annual revenue ranging between twenty thousand and twenty-five thousand francs. This income doubled the ordinary pay expected of any senator serving at that time. Chemist Berthollet received the sénatorerie of Montpellier where he lived in the bishop's palace at Narbonne. His specific annual revenue amounted to exactly twenty-two thousand six hundred ninety francs. These financial rewards were designed to make senators docile toward imperial policy. The arrangement created a pampered elite distinct from regular citizens or lower officials. Napoleon distributed these privileges freely to maintain loyalty among his closest political allies.
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès presided over the first sitting on the 27th of December 1799 until February 1800. François Barthélemy took the role from mid-February 1800 through late February 1801. François Denis Tronchet led the assembly briefly before August 1801 ended his term. François Christophe Kellermann served as president from early August 1801 until January 1802. Louis-Nicolas Lemercier held the position until August 1802 when the Empire began. Nicolas-Louis François de Neufchâteau became president in May 1804 serving until May 1806. Gaspard Monge followed him for one year before Bernard Germain de Lacépède took office. Lacépède served two separate terms spanning from July 1807 to July 1809 and again from July 1811 to July 1813. The Senate dissolved completely in April 1814 following Napoleon's overthrow. René Jean Durdent later wrote a critical history of the body covering its entire existence.
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Common questions
When did the Sénat conservateur convene for the first time?
The Senate convened for the first time on the 25th of December 1799 within the Luxembourg Palace. Napoleon Bonaparte had just seized power through the Coup of 18 Brumaire to reshape France's government.
How many senators were in the original Sénat conservateur body?
It consisted of exactly sixty permanent members who could not be removed from their posts. The number of senators increased to one hundred twenty under new rules established during a revision of the Constitution in year X during 1802.
What was the purpose of the sénatoreries system introduced by Napoleon?
Napoleon introduced the system of sénatoreries in January 1803 to ensure total compliance from senators. Each recipient gained the right to occupy a residential palace and received annual revenue ranging between twenty thousand and twenty-five thousand francs.
Who presided over the first sitting of the Sénat conservateur?
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès presided over the first sitting on the 27th of December 1799 until February 1800. François Barthélemy took the role from mid-February 1800 through late February 1801.
When did the Senate dissolve completely after years of service?
The Senate dissolved completely in April 1814 following Napoleon's overthrow. Louis XVIII then abolished the body when he restored the Bourbon monarchy that same year.