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The Restoration and the July Monarchy (1815-1848)
Napoleon I falls on 7 July 1815. The monarchy returns. The first period is the Restoration (Restauration, 1815-1830).
Key points of the sheet
- King Louis XVIII keeps the Constitutional Charter. It protects some freedoms, such as freedom of the press. But he strengthens the role of the Church and watches opponents.
- In 1830, a revolution takes place in Paris against limits on freedoms under Charles X. The king abdicates on 2 August 1830.
- The July Monarchy (1830-1848) begins with Louis-Philippe on 9 August 1830. He is king of the French and strengthens the role of Parliament and public freedoms.
- Power relies mainly on the bourgeoisie. Little by little, social inequalities and the refusal to widen the right to vote create tensions. A new revolution ends the regime on 24 February 1848.
- Louis XVIII, king of France from 1814 to 1824, tries to reconcile the monarchy with the gains of the French Revolution. Louis-Philippe, king of the French from 1830 to 1848, governs without really opening up power.
- Citizens keep rights, such as freedom of the press and the right to vote. But the right to vote stays reserved for the richest men.
- Under the Restoration, parliament has two chambers: one elected by a small part of the citizens, one chosen by the king. Under the July Monarchy, the king shares legislative power.
- These changes prepare the idea of a representative democracy. Political parties, politically engaged newspapers and organised oppositions also appear.
Words to know
- Restoration (Restauration)
- It is the period from 1815 to 1830 when the monarchy returns in France.
- July Monarchy (Monarchie de Juillet)
- It is the more liberal monarchy of Louis-Philippe, from 1830 to 1848.
- Constitutional Charter (Charte constitutionnelle)
- It is the text of 1814, then of 1830, that guarantees some rights, such as freedom of the press.
- king of the French (roi des Français)
- It is the title of Louis-Philippe, from 1830 to 1848.
- Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des députés)
- Under the July Monarchy, it shares legislative power with the king and the Chamber of Peers.
- separation of powers (séparation des pouvoirs)
- The two-chamber parliament of the Restoration marks its beginning.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Which king restores the monarchy after the fall of Napoleon I?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel roi rétablit la monarchie après la chute de Napoléon Ier ?
The sheet says that King Louis XVIII restores the monarchy.
During these periods, who is the right to vote reserved for?
In French, the language of the exam: Pendant ces périodes, à qui le droit de vote est-il réservé ?
The right to vote is always reserved for the richest men.
Under the Restoration, who chooses one of the two chambers of parliament?
In French, the language of the exam: Sous la Restauration, qui choisit une des deux chambres du parlement ?
Parliament has one elected chamber and one chamber chosen by the king.
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Source
Sheet “La Restauration et la Monarchie de Juillet (1815-1848)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.