8 Chapter 7 A Failed Escape

Chapter 7 A Failed Escape The king, queen, royal family, attendants, and court moved into their residence in Paris—the palace of the Tuileries. Louis and Marie Antoinette continued their customs, such as the morning lever, the evening coucher, and daily

Mass. The public still came to view them, just as they had at Versailles. In the city, the Assembly discussed creating a constitutional monarchy. In this new type of government, the king would share power with elected officials. The people would get to vote for representatives. Marie Antoinette was saddened as her husband slowly lost his control over France. Louis became sick and depressed as he gave in to the demands of the people. Although the king and queen were living in a palace and being treated as royals, they feared this would not last much longer. So many people spoke against them that they worried for their lives. The queen told her old friend Count Mercy, "Our situation here is frightful." They decided to escape. It would be dangerous. They would have to disguise themselves and sneak out during the night.

THE PALACE OF THE TUILERIES MONARCHS MOVED IN AND OUT OF THE PALACE OF THE TUILERIES FROM THE TIME CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN THE 1560S. WHEN IT WASN'T HOME TO THE ROYAL FAMILY, THE TUILERIES WAS USED AS APARTMENTS FOR ARTISTS AND A PLACE FOR PERFORMANCES. EARLY IN HER REIGN, MARIE ANTOINETTE STAYED IN ONE OF ITS APARTMENTS AFTER EVENING EVENTS IN PARIS. THE PALACE BURNED DOWN IN 1871, BUT THE GARDENS REMAIN AND ARE STILL POPULAR WITH TOURISTS TO THIS DAY.

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On Monday, June 20, 1791, the king and queen acted as if it were any other day. In the evening, Marie Antoinette and the children's governess brought twelve-year-old Madame Royale and six-year-old Louis Charles to a waiting carriage. The queen finished her supper so no one would be suspicious. Madame Elisabeth, the king's sister, joined the children in the carriage. Then, as soon as their attendants left, the king and queen changed into servants' clothes and sneaked out of the palace, too. Outside Paris, they switched to a larger carriage. It held everything that was needed for a long journey, including food and a small cookstove. The governess pretended to be a Russian aristocrat, and the royal family pretended to be her servants. They headed to a town near the French border, where they hoped to find people supportive of the king.

The carriage moved very slowly. It had to stop every fifteen miles to change horses. But the family was confident about their escape. No one seemed to be following them. In a small village, however, someone recognized them. News spread ahead to the next village. When the royal family arrived to change horses, the villagers held the family there. Officials from the National Assembly arrived the next morning and made the carriage turn around. The trip back to Paris was horrible—hot and slow, with mobs shouting insults at them. The journey out had taken only about one day. The trip