The Flight to Varennes (Fuite a Varennes)

On the night of June 21, 1791, Louis XVI and his family tried to escape, incognito, from Paris. They hoped to reach Montmedy, 500 km north east of the city; at the time Montmedy was a Royalist stronghold. They left Tuileries palace at about midnight. Tardiness, lack of security and misjudgement of the attitude of the population outside of the city doomed the venture from the beginning

.

Royalist Hussars were to guard the escape route, however the lateness of the escaping coach led to the troops leaving their posts. The royal party found themselves in Varrenes the next midnight; however they had been recognized by the local postmaster in Saint Menehould and word was sent ahead to Varennes where the bridge was barricaded and the escapers were taken into custody. They were 60 km short of their goal; close but no cigar.



They were returned to Paris the next day which resulted, as we all know, in them having a very bad day!



(I have noted places of interest along the route which was taken from an old map. I cannot be certain how closely modern roads followed the 18th century route.)


www.historytoday.com/archive/months-past/louis-xvis-flight-paris



en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_to_Varennes


The Flight to Varennes Fuite a Varennes.kmz (5.41 KB)

According to the local history in Viels-Maison, Louis XVI had the coach stopped there to empty his bladder.
This place in the village is now known as "La cloutière" and the main road is said to go thru it at that time.

Source : I lived there as a kid and La Cloutière was our playground !

jbx - thank you for the interesting information.  Could you translate 'La Cloutière' for us?  Does it have a slang meaning which I don't understand?

"La Cloutière" means either :
- a grindstone used to make nails (clou = nail)
- a woman who makes or sells nails used for shoes or horseshoes.
No slang word.

Obviously not used anymore in modern era, you may find "La Cloutière" as names for countryside lanes, roads, castles, manors, etc. 
In Viels-Maisons ("Old-Houses") "La Cloutière" was a small lane running along the village castle wall which now ends in the fields.
I guess it means that long ago there was a stable established there, near the castle. 

jbx - thank you for the info.  I got the 'nail' reference but only that.