Projet de la constitution française de 1791

This audio brings to life a rare, hand‑written manuscript that survived the turmoil of the French Revolution. The pages are the very marginal notes of Maximilien Robespierre, scrawled directly onto a draft of the constitution the National Assembly was debating in 1791. Scholars have verified the authenticity by matching his distinctive script to known autographs, and the careful preservation of the binding lets listeners hear every scratch, erasure, and hurried correction.

In the recording, Robespierre’s reflections on the early articles of the proposed charter unfold, revealing his fierce belief that sovereignty belongs wholly to the nation and must be exercised only through delegated representatives. His comments on the third title, concerning the organization of public power, expose the tension between a monarchical figurehead and a truly representative legislature. The notes also hint at his thoughts on property qualifications for voters, a topic that sparked intense debate among his contemporaries.

The edition guides you through the manuscript’s historical context, the journey of the document from private collections to a modern library, and the scholarly work that made it accessible. Listeners will gain a vivid sense of how a revolutionary mind grappled with the foundations of a new French state, offering a unique glimpse into the ideas that helped shape modern democracy.