Radicals invade the French Chamber of Deputies

Background. Following the revolution in February 1848, France and its legislature entered a turbulent period. The Chamber of Deputies elected in 1846 was abruptly disbanded by the revolution. The Palais Bourbon, serving as the meeting place for the National Assembly, became a focal point for political unrest. The building had undergone major reconstruction in 1846–48, preserving its 18th-century style while adding an additional story.

Legislative Context. The Palais Bourbon is the meeting place of the National Assembly, the lower legislative chamber of the French Parliament. The interior decoration, completed between 1838 and 1847, was nearly finished when the French Revolution of 1848 broke out. The legislative body faced significant challenges, with the previous chamber disbanded and new political dynamics emerging in the wake of the February events.

Radical Activity. Radical attempts to seize the government were a feature of the post-revolutionary period. An unsuccessful attempt to seize the government was launched in June 1848. These actions occurred against the backdrop of the collapse of the July Monarchy and the foundation of the French Second Republic, marking a period of civil unrest and political instability in Paris.