Paris Itinerary: In the Footsteps of the Women of the French Revolution
- Aug 19
- 26 min read
Updated: Sep 11
Having studied at a French school and later lived in France, I've always had a particular fascination with the country's history.
I confess that, for a long time, when I thought of the French Revolution, the first names that came to mind were Robespierre, Danton, and, of course, the image of Marie Antoinette and the famous phrase "let them eat brioches," attributed to her as a symbol of the disconnect between royalty and the people.
One cold evening, I was walking through the cobblestone streets of the Marais district when my perspective shifted. The street lamps stretched shadows across the ground, and it felt like the past lingered in the air. Each corner seemed to hold memories of people who once called this place home.
And by researching the role of women in the French Revolution, I discovered a completely new city, pulsating with the stories of incredible women.
But what about them? Those who marched for bread, those who, like Olympe de Gouges, wrote about rights, those who faced the guillotine with the same courage as men?
This historical tour of the Paris of the women of the French Revolution is more than visiting tourist attractions. Imagine exploring the city like a detective searching for the hidden stories of the women who once walked these streets.
Can you hear their footsteps beside yours? It's an invitation to hear the echoes of the feminine cry that still resonates in the city's streets, palaces, and prisons.
This journey through cultural tourism brings together history, fashion, and empowerment. It shows how the fight for freedom was present in every detail, from the tricolor cockades to the simplest dresses.
If you love immersing yourself in history like I do, you'll love visiting the D-Day beaches in Normandy, the scene of the famous World War II landings, or exploring the legends and mysteries of Amarante, Portugal, on a tour steeped in mysticism. |
Table of Content
Want to know what you'll find in this post? To help you navigate, I've created a handy index of all the topics. Click on the one that interests you most and go straight to the content!
Where to See Traces of Women of the French Revolution in Paris?
Graphic Summary of the Itinerary: 2 Days in the Paris of the Revolutionaries
Itinerary in Paris: In the Footsteps of the Women of the French Revolution
Style and Fashion in the French Revolution: From Marie Antoinette to the Citizens of Liberty
What Makes This Tour Unique
This tour goes beyond the typical sights of Paris. Instead of only visiting famous landmarks, you'll discover a side of the city filled with the stories of everyday women and forgotten heroines who helped shape the French Revolution.
Rather than just looking at palaces and museums, you'll learn about the hidden history behind them, the stories of courage, intelligence, and rebellion.
You'll walk the same streets as Olympe de Gouges, who spoke up for equal rights, and Théroigne de Méricourt, who joined the fight.
This tour helps you see Paris as a place where every street and building has a story to tell. It's more about discovering and feeling inspired than just ticking off landmarks.
Stepping back in time: How did women live in France before the Revolution?
In 18th-century France, women's lives were rigidly controlled by patriarchal laws and customs.
From birth to death, women passed from the guardianship of their father to that of their husband, without the right to formal education, ownership of property, or political participation.
From the aristocrat in the salon to the merchant at the market, the female voice was silenced, and citizenship remained a strictly male privilege.
It was against this wall of exclusion that they rose up. Women of all classes took to the streets, with their words and weapons, demanding their right to exist as citizens.
They shook the foundations of France, but the path to equality was far from over.
The Revolution opened some doors, but the Napoleonic Code would close them again, and even more tightly.
The message was clear: the women's struggle was just beginning.
However, an important legacy remains, which the first feminists of the contemporary era would seize upon in the 1830s.
Meet the 6 Most Important Women of the French Revolution
Before delving into the stories of these extraordinary figures, see below a summary of the main women who shaped the French Revolution, who they were, what they did, and how their journeys ended.
Click on the name to learn more about each one.
Marie Antoinette – Queen of France; attempted to escape with Louis XVI and was guillotined in 1793.
Olympe de Gouges – Activist and writer; author of the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Citizen.
Charlotte Corday– Girondin aristocrat; assassinated Marat and was executed four days later.
Théroigne de Méricourt – Orator and activist; participated in the armed assault on the Bastille and was interned until 1817.
Madame Roland – Girondin intellectual, political organizer, guillotined during the Reign of Terror.
Germaine de Staël – Writer and liberal philosopher; confronted Napoleon with ideas and died in exile in 1817.
Who were the most important women of the French Revolution? And how did they defy the odds of their time?
Olympe de Gouges, Charlotte Corday, Théroigne de Méricourt, Madame Roland, Marie Antoinette, and Germaine de Staël are the most prominent female figures of the French Revolution.
Queens, writers, activists, and thinkers all challenged the silence of their time. Some led marches, others wrote manifestos, and many faced the guillotine for their ideas.
But behind these familiar faces, the Revolution was born from the collective cry of thousands of nameless women: artisans, washerwomen, and market vendors who transformed hunger into fury.
Coming from all socioeconomic backgrounds, they gave the first cry and formed the marches that shook the monarchy.
Olympe de Gouges : The Pen of Equality
Olympe de Gouges, born Marie Gouze, was one of the most courageous and visionary female voices of the French Revolution.
A writer, playwright, and activist, she dared to challenge the exclusion of women from public life by publishing, in 1791, the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, a manifesto that demanded legal, political, and social equality between men and women, echoing and directly challenging the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Olympe defended progressive causes for the time, such as the end of slavery, the right to divorce, and women's right to vote.
Her bold activism made her a perceived threat to both the monarchy and the revolutionaries alike. In 1793, she was arrested, tried, and guillotined for "having forgotten the virtues appropriate to her sex."
🗣️ "A woman has the right to ascend the guillotine; she must equally have the right to ascend the tribune."
Marie Antoinette – The Tragic Queen and Symbol of the Old Regime
The daughter of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa, Marie Antoinette was only 19 when she became Queen of France through a political marriage to Louis XVI, an arrangement designed to secure an alliance between the two nations.
Over the years, she became one of the most criticized faces of the Ancien Régime. She was accused of frivolity, excessive spending, and a supposed indifference to the suffering of the people. The widespread revulsion toward Marie Antoinette further underscored the male-dominated nature of political power.
During the French Revolution, she accompanied her husband on his failed escape attempt from Varennes.
Both were arrested, tried, and convicted of treason. In October 1793, Marie Antoinette was guillotined on the Place de la Révolution (now, Place de la Concorde), following the same fate as the king, weeks earlier.
🗣️ "If they have no bread, let them eat brioches." An iconic, but likely false, phrase attributed to her as a symbol of the royal family's distance from the people.
While Marie Antoinette became a symbol of excess and the fall of the French monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom stood for stability, diplomacy, and a long reign. This contrast shows how each woman and each country shaped its own story over time. I explore this further in my History of the House of Windsor. |
Charlotte Corday: The Blade of Silence
Charlotte Corday went down in history as the woman who killed Jean-Paul Marat, one of the key leaders of the most radical wing of the Revolution.
Born into an aristocratic family in Normandy and influenced by Enlightenment ideas, Corday became close to the Girondins, a moderate political group that opposed the growing terror promoted by the Jacobins.
In 1793, convinced that Marat was directly responsible for countless deaths, she traveled to Paris, bought a knife, and on July 13th, murdered him while he was bathing in his own home. She didn't try to escape and was executed four days later, at the age of 25.
But this murder had a negative impact on women who "exceeded their gender." Clichés about "furies of the guillotine" abounded, denouncing women's political ambitions.
For some, she was a fanatic. For others, a martyr. History immortalized her as an ambiguous figure: a political assassin or a solitary heroine of moderation.
🗣️ "I killed one man to save a hundred thousand."
Théroigne de Méricourt : The Voice of the Streets and Revolutionary Clubs
Born in present-day Belgium, Anne-Josèphe Terwagne, known as Théroigne de Méricourt, became one of the most charismatic and controversial figures of the French Revolution.
After earning a living as a singer in European salons and self-teaching in political philosophy, she arrived in Paris immersed in revolutionary ideals.
She stood out as a passionate orator in women's political clubs, especially the Cordeliers' Club, where she openly advocated for equal rights between the sexes.
Théroigne participated in the Storming of the Bastille and the Women's March on Versailles, armed and dressed in military attire, which scandalized society at the time.
Her strong and provocative image was intensely disseminated through caricatures and pamphlets, making her a target of both the royalists and the violence from the revolutionaries themselves.
After suffering brutal attacks by Jacobin militants, her mental health deteriorated.
She spent her last years in a psychiatric hospital, forgotten by many.
Still, her voice continues to echo as a symbol of female courage in times of chaos.
🗣️ "A woman must have the right to stand on the platform, to defend her country, and to bear arms if necessary."
Madame Roland : The Girondin Mind Behind the Revolution
Jeanne-Marie Roland, better known as Madame Roland, was one of the most influential intellectual figures of the French Revolution.
She cultivated a passion for books and Enlightenment ideas from an early age. As the wife of Girondin politician Jean-Marie Roland, she became his invaluable chief advisor and editor, leading many to believe that she was the one truly running the party from behind the scenes.
Her literary and political salon, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, became a meeting place for the Revolution's leading figures, where they discussed laws, reforms, and the nascent republic itself.
A passionate advocate for liberty and reason, Madame Roland vehemently opposed the Jacobins' extremism. This position, however, would cost her life: she was arrested in 1793 and executed by guillotine that same year.
Her death was marked by one of the Revolution's most powerful phrases—spoken as she gazed at the Statue of Liberty before being beheaded:
🗣️ "Oh Liberty, how many crimes are committed in your name!"
Germaine de Staël : The Literary Voice that Confronted Napoleon
Germaine de Staël, daughter of Louis XVI's finance minister Jacques Necker, grew up in a profoundly intellectual and political environment.
A writer, philosopher, and hostess of one of Europe's most influential salons, she stood out for her defense of liberalism, individual liberty, and female education at a time when women were excluded from the public arena.
Germaine was a fierce critic of authoritarianism, including that of Napoleon Bonaparte, which led to her exile for much of the post-revolutionary period. Her novels and essays, such as Delphine and From Germany, profoundly influenced European political and literary thought.
Although she did not bear arms or stand trial in revolutionary tribunals, her writing was a powerful form of resistance. She represents women's intellectual strength in the face of oppression.
🗣️ "A woman's intellectual courage is what most frightens tyrants."
Find Traces of the French Revolution's Women in Paris: Key Sites
You can visit several historical sites in Paris linked to the women of the French Revolution, such as the Place de la Concorde,site of the executions of Marie Antoinette and other revolutionaries; the Conciergerie prison; the Palais Royal, a venue for political debates; and museums like the Louvre and the Musée Carnavalet, which preserve artifacts and documents from the period.
1. Place de la Concorde: Site of the Executions of the Women of the French Revolution
Considered the most symbolic stage of the Revolutionary Terror, the former Place de la Révolution was the scene of the guillotine executions of figures such as Marie Antoinette, Charlotte Corday, and Madame Roland.
Tip: Walk to the Jardin des Tuileries to visualize the historical axis of the Revolution.
2. Conciergerie (Île de la Cité): The Antechamber of Death
A powerful connection to the final days of these iconic women.This building served as a prison and revolutionary tribunal. Marie-Antoinette, Charlotte Corday, and Madame Roland were detained here before their executions.
Tip: Visit Marie-Antoinette's cell and the memorial to the victims of the guillotine.
3. Palais Royal: The Political and Social Heart of Women in the French Revolution
The Palais Royal was a bustling meeting place for revolutionary debates and pamphlets. Olympe de Gouges and Théroigne de Méricourt frequented its arcades and gardens to organize actions and give speeches.
Tip: Explore the galleries, imagining the fervor of revolutionary political clubs.
4. National Assembly (Palais Bourbon): The Feminine Voice of Change
Home to the French Parliament, the Palais Bourbon was the scene of decisive debates and attempts by women, such as Théroigne de Méricourt, to influence the course of the Revolution. A recent bust honors Olympe de Gouges, a pioneer of feminist thought.
Tip: Take guided tours to explore the historic halls and tribunes.
5. Bibliothèque Nationale (Richelieu): The Written Memory of the Revolution
An important historical site for the circulation of pamphlets and manuscripts, including the revolutionary writings of Olympe de Gouges and the personal correspondence of Germaine de Staël.
Tip: Visit special exhibitions to access rare documents.
6. Louvre (Palais du Louvre): The Museum of the Revolution
Transformed into a museum during the Revolution, the Louvre houses works and engravings depicting Marie Antoinette, Charlotte Corday, and other female figures. The Department of Graphic Arts (Cabinet des Dessins) houses historical treasures.
Tip: Some original works and engravings from the period require prior appointment, ideal for historical art enthusiasts.
7. Musée Carnavalet (Marais): Guardian of Paris' History
This museum features collections that include portraits, letters, and pamphlets by Olympe de Gouges, Marie Antoinette, and documents about the assassination of Marat by Charlotte Corday. It also highlights the influence of Germaine de Staël.
Tip: Take the opportunity to learn about the Parisian context of the Revolution through its exhibitions.
8. Quartier Latin and Saint-Germain: The Intellectual Cradle of the Revolutionaries
Revolutionary ideas circulated in the cafés and literary salons of these areas. Olympe de Gouges and Théroigne de Méricourt found space to articulate their thoughts, and Charlotte Corday prepared her act there.
Tip: Include a visit to the Panthéon to complete this historical tour.
9. Club des Cordeliers: Feminine Voice in the French Revolution
The former address of this radical club, where Théroigne de Méricourt spoke and actively participated in the revolutionary scene.
10. Rue des Cordeliers: The Assassination of Marat
(now Rue de l'École de Médecine) This address was the home of Jean-Paul Marat, assassinated by Charlotte Corday, an act that profoundly shaped the Revolution.
11. Jardin des Tuileries: The Escape Route
Location between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, where Marie Antoinette and the royal family attempted to escape in 1792. Théroigne de Méricourt also defied social norms in this public space, appearing armed and in uniform.
Tip: Note the historic axis connecting the Louvre, Tuileries, and Concorde.
12. Hôpital de la Salpêtrière: Théroigne de Méricourt's Last Refuge during the French Revolution
This hospice served as a women's prison, where Théroigne de Méricourt spent her last 20 years. Today, it is open to the public for special visits and exhibitions.
💡 Golden Tip: Create an interactive map on Google My Maps (or check out mine below) with all these points. This way, you can follow in the footsteps of the women of the Revolution and take a walking tour, experiencing history at every corner.
Graphic Summary of the Itinerary: 2 Days in the Paris of the Revolutionaries
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👉 For those who want to follow in the footsteps of these women in Paris, here is a visual summary of the complete itinerary.
Day 1: Power, the Fall, and Memory.
📍 Main Stops:
Day 2: The Revolution of Ideas and Its Legacy
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2-Day Paris Itinerary: Following the Women of the French Revolution
Now that we've met the protagonists of our history, it's time to put on some comfortable shoes and walk the same paths they did.
This two-day itinerary is designed to be done on foot, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of each neighborhood and connecting the dots that marked the lives and deaths of these incredible women.
By sunset, you will have visited places where liberty was both won and lost, and you might feel the echoes of history beneath your feet.
Day 1: From Prison to Guillotine - Power, Fall, and Memory
Day 1 Paris Itinerary on the Map:
Today, you'll witness how power crumbled and memory endured, step by step. Our first day focuses on the most symbolic and dramatic sites of the Revolution, places that represent the fall of the monarchy and the brutality of the Terror. Here, queens and citizens bravely faced their fates.
We'll begin on the island that is the heart of Paris, the Île de la Cité, and end in the neighborhood that holds the city's memory, the Marais.
Walking Itinerary – Day 1: Distances and Times
Day 1 Route | Approx. Distance | Approx. Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
Conciergerie → Place de la Concorde | 2.3 km | 32 min |
Place de la Concorde → Place des Vosges (Almoço) | 3.7 km | 51 min |
Place des Vosges → Musée Carnavalet | 350m | 4 min |
Musée Carnavalet → Place de la Bastille | 800 m | 11 min |
Total Walking for the Day: | ~ 7.2 km | ~ 1h 30min |
If you prefer a guided experience, consider the tour Paris: French Revolution Tour Relive the 14th July 1789 It offers an expert's perspective, but note that it does not highlight the roles of women in the revolution. Try the tour Unique Walking Tour of Great Women in Parisian History In this case, women are the main focus, but not the Revolution. |
Morning: The Epicenter of Terror
Stop 1: Conciergerie (Île de la Cité)
What to see at the Conciergerie?: Marie Antoinette's reconstructed cell, the "Prisoners' Gallery," and the "Room of Names," where the thousands of those condemned to the guillotine are listed.
Expert Tip: Skip the Lines! The Conciergerie is one of the most impressive (and popular) stops on this tour. The lines can be long, especially during peak season. Admission is included in the Paris Museum Pass. If you prefer to buy a separate ticket, [buy your skip-the-line ticket here] and use your time to explore, not wait. Allow at least 1.5 hours for the visit.
Why it matters: It was the antechamber of death. Here, women of all classes, from Queen Marie Antoinette to the intellectual Madame Roland and the activist Olympe de Gouges, spent their final hours.
Sensory Immersion: As you descend into the medieval Conciergerie, the air seems to grow colder and the silence heavier. I felt the weight of history as I walked through the stone corridors, imagining the anguish and courage of the women who awaited their fate here
Tasty tip: Up for a little detour? Walk to Berthillon ice cream shop on Île Saint-Louis. It's the most traditional ice cream shop in Paris—and worth every bite! |
Stop 2: Place de la Concorde
What to see: The Luxor Obelisk in the center of the square. Imagine if the guillotine stood in its place. Look toward the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre.
Tip: The square is a central point of heavy traffic. The best way to take it in is to walk calmly from the Tuileries Gardens.
Why it matters: Called "Place de la Révolution" at the time, this is where the guillotine fell on Marie Antoinette, Madame Roland, and Charlotte Corday. A public stage where ideals of freedom mingled with blood.
Sensory Immersion: The contrast is stark. Today, it is a majestic square, full of tourists and traffic. Close your eyes for a moment and try to replace the noise of cars with the sound of the crowd and the blade. The Obelisk seems a silent spectator of everything that happened there.
Lunch Break: A Touch of History in the Marais
Walk through the Tuileries Gardens toward the Marais. On Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris, you'll find several charming cafés and bistros under the arcades. I recommend Café Hugo, a perfect place to rest and process the morning's emotions.
Tip: Admire the Marais Hôtels Particuliers (mansions) where nobles lived in the 17th century.
Afternoon: The Memory of the Revolution
Stop 3: Musée Carnavalet – Museum of the History of Paris (Le Marais)
What to see: The collection dedicated to the French Revolution is one of the finest in the world. Look for the personal belongings of Marie Antoinette, Olympe de Gouges' Declaration, and the painting of Marat's assassination.
Tip: Admission to the permanent collection is free! It's a huge museum, so focus on the Revolution rooms to avoid getting bored.
Why it matters: This is where the stories connect. The museum functions as a treasure chest that materializes everything we've seen so far, giving a face, voice, and objects to the period.
Sensory Immersion: It's a true journey through time. Seeing a shoe that belonged to Marie Antoinette or a lock of her hair makes the historical figure tangible and human. It's the place to visually understand the aesthetics and brutality of the era.
Stop 4: Place de la Bastille: Where It All Began
What to see: The imposing July Column marks the center of the square, recalling the ideals of freedom that were born with the Revolution. Nearby, notice the modern Opéra Bastille and plaques that tell the story of the old prison, demolished in 1789.
Practical tip: The square is wide and busy, but it's worth exploring on foot to fully appreciate its historical dimension. In the late afternoon, the sunset behind the Column makes for beautiful photos.
Why it matters: Although women did not directly participate in the Storming of the Bastille, the Place represents a pivotal starting point for the history that would shape their lives and future struggles.
Sensory immersion: Stand for a few minutes in the center of the square and imagine the chaos of 1789, the screams, the sound of cannons, and the people breaking down the prison gates. Today, the space is open and modern, but the historical energy still pulses.
Day 2: The Intellectual Core - The Revolution of Ideas and Legacy
Day 2 Paris Itinerary on the Map:
On the second day, we trade drama for philosophy. We'll explore the Left Bank of the Seine, the epicenter of intellectual and bohemian life, where revolutionary ideas were debated, written, and defended.
Walking Itinerary – Day 2: Distances and Times
Day 2 Route | Approx. Distance | Approx Walking time |
|---|---|---|
Rue de l'École de Médecine → Panthéon | 750 m | 11 min |
Panthéon → Les Deux Magots | 1.4 km | 20 min |
Les Deux Magots → Brasserie Lipp | 120 m | 2 min |
Brasserie Lipp → Assembleia Nacional | 1.5 km | 20 min |
Total Walking for the Day: | ~ 3.8 km | ~ 53 min |
Morning: The Thinkers' Quarter
Stop 1: Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter
What to see: Start your walk on Rue de l'École de Médecine, where the Cordeliers' Club, frequented by Théroigne de Méricourt, was located. Stroll through the streets where Olympe de Gouges and Madame Roland lived and held their salons.
Practical tip: Don't get stuck on a single address. The magic here is getting lost in the streets, observing the old bookstores and historical plaques.
Why it matters: This was the intellectual melting pot of the Revolution. In the cafés and salons of this neighborhood, women like Germaine de Staël and Madame RolandThey shaped the future of France, often with more influence than the men on the podium.
Sensory Immersion: Sit in an iconic café such as Les Deux Magots or Le Procope (the oldest in Paris, frequented by revolutionaries). Order a coffee and imagine the whispers of debate, the exchange of pamphlets, and the energy of a world reinvented with each conversation.
Stop 2: Panthéon
What to see: The imposing architecture and the famous inscription: "Aux grands hommes, la patrie reconnaissante" ("To great men, the grateful homeland"). Descend into the crypt to see the tombs of figures like Voltaire, Rousseau, and, more recently, Simone Veil.
Top Tip: Climbing the dome offers one of the most spectacular views of Paris. Buy your Panthéon ticket here
Why it matters: The inscription is the ultimate symbol of female exclusion. No woman from the Revolution was considered worthy of being here at the time. Visiting the Panthéon is to understand the magnitude of their struggle: not only for rights, but for recognition and memory.
Sensory Immersion: The echo within the Panthéon is powerful. It seems to amplify the silence and historical erasure of women. The recent presence of great women like Marie Curie and Simone Veil in the crypt shows how the struggle started by Olympe and others continues, and how France is slowly beginning to rewrite its history.
Lunch Break: Charm in Saint-Germain
As promised, this is the perfect place for lunch. Choose a classic brasserie, like Brasserie Lipp, for an authentic Parisian experience, or a small restaurant on the charming Rue de Buci.
Afternoon: Recognition and Legacy
Stop 3: National Assembly (Palais Bourbon)
What to see: The imposing façade across the Seine, opposite Place de la Concorde. This is where a bust of Olympe de Gouges was recently installed.
Tip: It's not an easy place to visit, but the important thing is the external symbolism. The best photo is taken from the Pont de la Concorde.
Why it matters: Olympe de Gouges wrote that "a woman has the right to ascend the tribune." Today, her image finally hangs within the place where laws are made, a belated but powerful recognition of her vision.
Sensory Immersion: Looking at the National Assembly from the bridge over the Seine is like watching history come full circle. On one side, the place of executions; on the other, the home of democracy. It's a time to reflect on the lasting legacy of these women in modern politics.
By the end of these two days, you will have walked not just the streets of Paris, but the living pages of history.
Let each step remind you of the voices, both loud and quiet, of those who dared to exist as citizens.
Where to stay for this itinerary? To be in the heart of the action, stay in the Marais (near the stops on Day 1) or in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (the epicenter of Day 2 and my favorite neighborhood). I recommend the charming Hotel Bel Ami. This friendly and well-located spot offers a gym, spa, and bar, with rooms ranging from 19 to 35m2, a size well above the Paris average. See a selection of hotels in the Marais here. |
Which of these stories touched you most? Join the memory revolution by sharing your thoughts in the comments below.
Other Relevant Stops (for those who want to explore further)
If you have more time in Paris, consider exploring these additional sites, which bear profound marks on the history of women in the Revolution.
Salpêtrière Hospice: where Théroigne was interned. Important for reflecting on the silencing of women.
Palace of Versailles: The center of power of the monarchy, where Marie Antoinette lived her years of luxury before her downfall. Strolling through its halls helps to understand the contrast between the court and the people on the eve of the Revolution.
Bibliothèque Nationale de France: Holds rare documents from the French Revolution, including pamphlets and posters that record the voice of women and the people at the time.
Louvre (Department of Graphic Arts): Houses rare engravings and portraits of female figures of the Revolution.
Rue Saint-Honoré: Madame Roland's address and hub of historical marches.
French Revolution Fashion: How Style Became a Political Statement: From Marie Antoinette to the Citizens of Liberty
How fashion has been wielded as a political tool, empowering and inspiring women across generations
If you think fashion is frivolous, think again. During the French Revolution, your wardrobe could literally make or break your life. Fashion went from being about what was beautiful to a deadly question: "Which side are you on?"
Let's peek into the two most important closets of the era.
The "Pre-Revolution" Look: Marie Antoinette Team
Imagine a fashion show where peacocks would be envious. This was the style of the court at Versailles.
The Silhouette: Dresses so wide they barely fit through doorways, with layers and more layers of silk, brocade, and lace. It was the "dress code" of opulence, designed to show that you didn't need to do absolutely anything all day long except exist and be fabulous.
The Color Palette: Pastel hues appeared to have been lifted directly from a box of macarons: baby pink, sky blue, and mint green. A sweetness that contrasted bitterly with the hunger on the streets.
The Main Accessory: Hair. It wasn't a hairstyle, it was an architectural project. Sky-high wigs, powdered white and decorated with feathers, ribbons, and even miniature ships (yes, that happened).
In short, the Marie Antoinette style was the height of "extra." It was a fashion that whispered (or rather, screamed): "I am untouchable."
The Revolutionary Glow-Up: The Style of the Citizens
And then came the Revolution. And with it, the greatest wardrobe detox in history. Simplicity wasn't just a choice; it was a manifesto.
The Silhouette: Goodbye, suffocating corsets! Hello, high-waisted, straight-cut cotton dresses, inspired by Ancient Greece. Fashion was now about freedom of movement. Women needed to walk, march, and fight.
The Color Palette: The Holy Trinity of the Revolution: blue, white, and red. The colors of the new flag were printed everywhere. Wearing them was like publicly "liking" the Revolution.
The Key Accessories:
The Tricolor Cockade: The most important accessory of the decade. A small bow or rosette with the three colors, pinned to clothing or a hat. Not wearing one could arouse suspicion. It was your passport to citizenship.
The Phrygian Cap: The famous red cap of liberty, worn by the most fervent revolutionaries, including women like Théroigne de Méricourt. It was the "beanie" of rebellion.
In short, Revolutionary style was "normcore" with a cause. It was fashion as political armor, proving that true power lies not in opulence, but in conviction.
Channeling the Revolution Today: A Guide to Modern Feminist Fashion
Inspired? Great. You don't need a guillotine in your garden to embrace the strength of these women. Here's a guide to a contemporary look that screams "Liberty, Equality, Sisterhood."
The Tricolor Base (with a chic twist) - The Look: Think crisp navy blue tailored pants, a high-quality organic cotton t-shirt, and the finishing touch: a bold red lipstick (like this MAC classic) or an elegant silk scarf. It's classic, bold, and makes a statement.
SHOP THE REVOLUTIONARY LOOK:
The Perfect Pant: Find tailored options here.
The Essential T-Shirt: See premium cotton styles.
The Red Touch: Choose your lipstick.
The Tricolor Base The Beret, the Chic Cousin of the Phrygian Cap: The Phrygian cap might be a bit intense for a Tuesday coffee. But the French beret? Perfect. Choose a red one for maximum impact or a black one for a more intellectual look, à la Germaine de Staël. If you don't have one yet, see an incredible selection of berets here.
The French beret Lapel (and Chest) Activism: The cocarde has evolved over time. Today, it's a vintage brooch with a message, a feminist pin on your denim jacket, or a t-shirt with a striking phrase. How about one with a quote from Olympe de Gouges? Nothing is more revolutionary than that.
"A woman has the right to ascend the guillotine; she must equally have the right to ascend the tribune."
Denim Jacket and Feminist Pin
The final and most important accessory? Conviction. Dressing with the strength of someone who knows their ideas matter. This look never goes out of style.
The Revolution's Wardrobe: 5 Pieces That Made History
If the French Revolution were a capsule collection, these would be the 5 essential pieces. Each tells a story of rebellion, ideology, and a radical transformation in what it meant to dress.
The Lasting Legacy of the Women of the French Revolution
The French Revolution was not kind to its most daring citizens. Many were silenced by the guillotine, others erased from history books.The Napoleonic Code, which would come later, would reaffirm patriarchal power by stripping women of even the few rights they had won.
Yet their voices have not disappeared. They echo in the streets of Paris, in the halls of the Panthéon, in the archives of the Conciergerie, and, above all, in the feminine legacy of the French Revolution.
The struggles of figures like Olympe de Gouges, Madame Roland, and Théroigne de Méricourt planted the seeds of modern feminism and inspired future generations to question, resist, and build a more inclusive society. more just.
✨ As you walk through these places and remember these stories, reflect: what is the role of women in French history? And how do these battles of the past still shape our battles today?
💬 Which of these stories inspired you the most? Leave your opinion in the comments; the conversation continues here.
This itinerary through Paris reveals the incredible power of women who defied convention to shape a nation's destiny. A fascinating parallel emerges in Egypt with Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh whose temple in Luxor is breathtaking. If you’re curious to explore Egypt beyond the pyramids, check out my Cairo guide with personal tips and memories.
If you dream of going to Paris and want to choose the best time to travel, check out our guides to Paris in the Fall, Spring in Paris, and plan incredible day trips from Paris. |
🎬 For more information
Films:
Marie Antoinette (2006), by Sofia Coppola – An aesthetic and modern take on the icon of the Ancien Régime.
Farewell, My Queen (Les Adieux à la Reine, 2012) – An intimate perspective on the chaos at Versailles, seen through the eyes of a servant
Books:
Recommended resources for each of the women featured in the tour. This information is intended for those new to their stories and provides a solid starting point for deeper reading.
Marie Antoinette: The Journey, de Antonia Fraser – A sensitive and comprehensive biography. Buy yours on Amazon!
Olympe de Gouges, de Olivier Blanc – powerful portrait of the woman who dared to assert her rights. Read the Portuguese edition available on Amazon.
Charlotte Corday: The Last Years by Marie Chaumié.
Madame de Staël: The First Modern Woman by Francine du Plessix Gray.
The Memoirs of Madame Roland: A Heroine of the French Revolution (her own account).
Théroigne de Méricourt: An Amazon of the French Revolution by R. Hamel.
Souvenirs & Culture:
Look for bookstores like Librairie Violette and Co. or publishers like Éditions des Femmes in Paris, which value women's work and forgotten stories.
For souvenirs with a revolutionary spirit, consider pins, cocardes, or prints adorned with feminist phrases inspired by the women of the revolution
Frequently Asked Questions: Women and the French Revolution
What was the role of women in the French Revolution?
Women played an active role in the French Revolution. They participated in marches, created political clubs, wrote manifestos, and demanded their rights as citizens. Even with temporary advances, they were excluded from public life after 1793, but their actions planted the seeds of modern feminism.
Who were the most important women of the French Revolution?
Among the most important women of the French Revolution are:
Marie Antoinette, queen and symbol of the Ancien Régime;
Olympe de Gouges, author of the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Citizen;
Charlotte Corday, who assassinated Marat;
Théroigne de Méricourt, militant orator;
Madame Roland, influential in the Girondins;
Germaine de Staël, intellectual and political critic.
What was the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Citizen?
The Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen was written by Olympe de Gouges in 1791 as a direct response to the Declaration of the Rights of Man. The text advocated legal, political, and social equality between men and women and is considered a pioneering milestone in feminist thought.
Did women gain rights during the French Revolution?
During the Revolution, women achieved temporary gains in the political and social sphere. However, with the radicalism of the Terror and the Napoleonic Code, many rights were revoked, establishing the legal submission of women to men.
What places in Paris are linked to the women of the Revolution?
Several places in Paris preserve the memory of the revolutionaries:
Conciergerie: prison of Marie Antoinette, Olympe, and others.
Place de la Concorde: where several were executed.
Musée Carnavalet: houses objects and documents from the period.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés: an intellectual neighborhood frequented by Germaine de Staël and others.
Panthéon: symbol of the erasure and subsequent recognition of women.
Did fashion have political importance in the French Revolution?
Yes. Fashion was a form of ideological expression. Dressing simply and wearing symbols such as the tricolor cockade or the Phrygian cap was a way to show support for the Revolution. Luxurious clothing could arouse suspicion and even cost one's life.
What to see at the Musée Carnavalet about the French Revolution?
The Musée Carnavalet is home to one of the most remarkable collections on the French Revolution. Highlights include:
Personal objects of Marie Antoinette,
Manuscripts and portraits of Olympe de Gouges,
Depictions of the assassination of Marat by Charlotte Corday.
How did the French Revolution influence modern feminism?
Although it did not bring full equality, the French Revolution laid the foundations for feminist thought. The actions of women like Olympe de Gouges paved the way for the demand for civil and political rights throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, influencing movements worldwide.
What's the best time of year to do this walking tour?
The best times are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). During these months, temperatures in Paris are milder and more pleasant for long walks.
In spring, you'll see the city's gardens, such as the Tuileries, bursting with flowers.
In autumn, the colorful leaves add a special charm, and the tourist crowds have thinned.
Summer can be very hot and crowded
Winter, while charming, can be quite cold and rainy for a walking-focused tour.
👉 For more details, check out our guides on Spring in Paris and Paris in Autumn
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it for this itinerary?
Yes, the Paris Museum Pass is the best option for this tour. It includes admission to the main paid attractions we mentioned:
Conciergerie
Panthéon
And other relevant sites mentioned, such as the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum.
Keep in mind that some locations, such as access to the permanent collection at the Musée Carnavalet, are free, while others are public spaces that don't require admission (such as Place de la Concorde and the neighborhoods).
If you are considering purchasing the Paris Museum Pass, note that it covers the Conciergerie, the Panthéon, and other sites mentioned, such as the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum.
For this itinerary, the pass covers these places and more, potentially saving you around €30 if you plan to visit all of them. Consider whether the cost of the pass is worthwhile, given the number of museums you plan to visit during your trip.
Did you like this itinerary? Share it with that friend who loves history, fashion, and purposeful travel! Let's keep the memory of these incredible women alive together.
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