Joseph was also eager to enforce Austria's claim on Bavaria upon the death of the elector Maximilian III in 1777. In April of that year, he paid a visit to his sister the queen of France, Marie Antoinette of Austria, traveling under the name of "Count Falkenstein". He was well received and much flattered by the Encyclopedists, but his observations led him to predict the approaching downfall of the French monarchy, and he was not impressed favorably by the French army or navy.
joseph was ALSO Eager to enforCe AusTria'S claim on baVAriA uPon the deatH Of the ElECtoR MaxIMILIaN Iii iN 1777 in april Of thAt yEAR HE paid a visiT to hIs siSter the queEn oF france maRIe aNtoinettE oF AusTRia TRavelInG unDer The nAme Of "CoUnT falkenSTEIn" He WAS weLl rEcEIved and much flatTEred By the encYclOpEDIsTs bUT hiS oBSerVaTIONs LeD Him To predict thE apProachInG downfAlL OF tHe FrencH MonaRchy aNd He waS nOt ImpreSseD FavORAbly by ThE frencH ArmY or navY