command in his army, and he became deeply involved in an attempt by King Louis and Marie Antoinette to escape their virtual house arrest in Paris. In conjunction with Comte Axel von Fersen and Baron de Breteuil, he planned the means and route by which the Royal Family would travel from Paris to the fortress of Montmédy, within Bouillé's area of control. Approximately 10,000 regulars of the old royal army were encamped at or near Montmedy. The regiments, which included Swiss and German mercenary units, made up a force that had largely retained its discipline and was considered by the court party as still loyal to the monarchy. Historians continue to debate how the flight led to the royals' arrest at Varennes. Bouillé's son Louis was sent to Paris to inform the royal family of the plans and possible safe points. Bouillé also made specific suggestions about the route and the travel arrangements. He recommended a different route from the one which Louis ultimately chose, and he suggested that they not travel in a single coach, instead splitting up so that they would draw less attention en route. That advice also was not taken. Bouillé was to provide troops to protect the royal party on the final stages of the journey through the area that he controlled. Some of the units considered more reliable by the royalist high command had, however, recently been reassigned to other commands, and in a time of wide social unrest, he could not fully trust all of the troops that remained. Cavalry detachments were placed in towns along the route, citing as a pretext the expected delivery of treasury funds going to Paris. The sudden arrival of the dragoons and hussars, however, drew immediate attention and suspicion. This heightened tension in the local population may have played a role in the ultimate capture and arrest at Varennes. Delays in the arrival of the coach carrying the royal family had led to several of Bouillé's detachments being stood down, and none was immediately available to intervene. Aftermath As an immediate result of the forced return of the royal family to Paris, Bouillé and senior members of his staff fled France to join the Austro-Prussian forces assembled beyond the border. He subsequently issued a proclamation threatening reprisals if any harm was done to the king. This only served to further discredit the weakened monarchy. The failure of