French Emigration (1789–1815)

During the French Revolution, many French nobles and merchants emigrated to the German states, Britain, and eastern Europe, particularly Russia. In total, more than 140,000 people left French territory between 1789–1815, due to the revolutionary upheavals; emigration was particularly heavy after the 14 July 1789, and the fall of the Bastille. Most of them are nobles, rich bourgeois and prelates. Some emigrate to fight the revolution from the outside, and others to escape its rigors. The Revolutionary governments passed several laws confiscating the property of the emigres, but others were permitted to return as long as they had not taken up arms against the nation.