Battles & Campaigns · 1797
Treaty of Campo Formio
Campoformido, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
What happened
Napoleon Bonaparte for the French Republic and Count Philipp von Cobenzl for Austria. France and Austria made peace in a merchant's house in the village of Campo Formio. Austria gave the Austrian Netherlands (most of modern Belgium) to France. The ancient Republic of Venice was ended and divided between France and Austria.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the War of the First Coalition, leaving Britain fighting France alone. Napoleon's biographer called the ending of Venice 'a moral blot' on the peace.
What came next
Austrian troops entered Venice in January 1798. France and Austria were at war again by early 1799.
Did you know?
The house where the treaty was signed, on what is now Treaty Square, is open to visitors.
Timeline
- 17 October 1797The treaty is signed.
- 18 January 1798Austrian troops enter Venice.
- 1799The War of the Second Coalition begins.