This 1801 Franco-Russian peace formally ended hostilities from the War of the Second Coalition and set terms for joint influence in the Holy Roman Empire.
Key Facts
- Peace treaty signed
- 8 October 1801
- Secret convention signed
- 10 October 1801
- Ratifications exchanged
- 11 October 1801
- French signatory
- Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
- Russian signatory
- Count Arkady Morkov
- French law recognizing treaty
- 9 December 1801
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The War of the Second Coalition left France and Russia in a state of hostility. As broader diplomatic efforts wound down the war, France concluded a preliminary peace with Britain on 1 October 1801, creating momentum for a general settlement of European conflicts involving the major powers.
France and Russia signed a public peace treaty in Paris on 8 October 1801, declaring perpetual peace, followed on 10 October by a secret convention of alliance. The secret document committed both powers to cooperating on the reorganization of the Holy Roman Empire and balancing Habsburg and Hohenzollern influence, with Napoleon agreeing to strengthen Baden, Bavaria, and Württemberg.
The treaty formally ended Russo-French hostilities and established a framework for joint Franco-Russian influence over German affairs during the Reichsdeputation process. It was part of a wider diplomatic settlement that also led to the Peace of Amiens with Britain and a Franco-Ottoman preliminary peace, temporarily stabilizing post-Revolutionary European order.
Political Outcome
Formal end to Russo-French hostilities from the War of the Second Coalition, with a secret alliance convention establishing joint influence over Holy Roman Empire reorganization.
France and Russia in hostility following the War of the Second Coalition
Franco-Russian alignment to balance Habsburg and Hohenzollern power in the Holy Roman Empire