The King is Greeted by the Mayor of Paris, Sylvain Bailly, at the Bonshommes Tollgate, July 17, 1789
During the Revolution, the Conférence tollgate was also called the “Minimes” or “Bonshommes tollgate.” Not only were tolls collected here, but it was also one of the gates through which everyone had to pass in order to enter or leave Paris. However, this was not just any gate: located right next to the Louvre and the Place de la Révolution, it also led to the road to Versailles where the king lived until October 1789… Thus, it was a very strategic spot! Consequently, when the king visited the new Parisian municipality on July 17, 1789, it was here where Mayor Jean-Sylvain Bailly, recently elected, welcomed him. The toll building was still smoking: a few days earlier, “patriots” had tried to burn it down in order to protest against taxes.
Finally, merchandise could enter Paris freely once again!
On July 12, 1789, a major insurrection was launched. For the past several days, the tollgates, where people had to pay taxes, were attacked and burned down. The Conférence tollgate was specifically targeted. The message was clear: these taxes were unjust. However, it would be another year and a half before these demands were heard. On February 19, 1791, deputies abolished all taxes at the city’s entrances. On May 1st, the first tax-free entry was celebrated in a festive atmosphere and recounted in numerous images.
The Conférence Tollgate Burning, July 12, 1793
View of the Conférence Tollgate, February 19, 1791
