King Louis XVI, feeling increasingly unsafe in revolutionary Paris, decided to flee the capital with his family to seek safety and support from loyalists and to bolster the monarchy. Disguised as a common valet, he attempted to slip past the growing revolutionary fervor that was threatening his reign. The royal family utilized a coach to travel towards Varennes, a small town near the northeastern border of France. The plan included leaving by night to avoid suspicion and ensure a successful escape to royalist strongholds.

As they journeyed, their disguise failed to conceal them completely. On June 21, a local postmaster recognized the king due to his distinct appearance and the presence of royal insignia. Alerted by this recognition, the authorities quickly acted to intercept the royal family. Within hours, they had been captured and ushered back to Paris under guard. The failed escape was not just a personal setback for Louis XVI; it symbolized the growing resistance against the monarchy and the deepening divides within French society at that time.

The event galvanized revolutionary sentiment across the nation, intensifying calls for the abolition of the monarchy. Many viewed the king's flight as an act of cowardice, further eroding public support for the crown. This failed attempt significantly influenced the course of the revolution, leading to heightened tensions between royalists and revolutionaries and contributing to the eventual downfall of the monarchy in France.