# Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1799-coup-of-18-brumaire
Location: Paris
Categories: main-event

Napoleon overthrew the Directory and established the Consulate. Within the broader Consulate & Napoleonic Empire period, Napoleon consolidated many revolutionary reforms while concentrating power, building an empire and waging continental war. French institutions and armies reshaped Europe before military defeat restored the Bourbons. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is French Directory → Napoleon Bonaparte (Directory replaced by Consulate). Coup of 18 Brumaire is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Coup of 18 Brumaire is a useful marker in the longer transformation of political authority, society and culture in France.

Ruler at the time: [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://history-france.com/rulers/napoleon-bonaparte)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Coup of 18 Brumaire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Coup+of+18+Brumaire&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Coup of 18 Brumaire](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Coup+of+18+Brumaire)
- [Vie-publique — French institutions and history](https://www.vie-publique.fr/)