Louis XVI (1754-1793)

The execution of Louis XVI on 21 January 1793. Following the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the First Republic on 21 September 1792, Louis was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death, along with his queen, Marie Antoinette. He was guillotined in the Place de la Révolution in Paris; his last words on the scaffold were: ‘May my blood cement your happiness!’. (Musée Carnavalet, Paris).

King of France from 1774, grandson of Louis XV, and son of Louis the Dauphin. He was dominated by his queen, Marie Antoinette, and French finances fell into such confusion that in 1789 the States General (parliament) had to be summoned, and the French Revolution began. Louis lost his personal popularity in June 1791 when he attempted to flee the country, and in August 1792 the Parisians stormed the Tuileries palace and took the royal family prisoner. Deposed in September 1792, Louis was tried in December, sentenced for treason in January 1793, and guillotined.