national lands

French history

Also known as: bien nationaux

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

During the French Revolution, the National Assembly declared church property as "national lands" (biens nationaux) to address the financial crisis. These lands were intended to be sold to the public, with payments made in assignats (government notes) that would then be retired.1

However, the government's need for funds led to the printing of more assignats, causing inflation. The sale of national lands primarily benefited the urban middle classes and wealthier peasants, as the lots were large and sold at auction. While some smaller parcels were divided in 1793-94, and some peasants acquired land through resale, the majority of this property ended up with the more affluent segments of society, leading to frustration among small-scale peasants.1

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France
Sale of national lands
…designated as biens nationaux, or national lands. The government then issued large-denomination notes called assignats, underwritten and guaranteed by the value of that land. It intended to sell national lands to the public, which would pay for it in assignats that would then be retired. Thus, church property would in…
Read More
…designated as biens nationaux, or national lands. The government then issued large-denomination notes called assignats, underwritten and guaranteed by the value of that land. It intended to sell national lands to the public, which would pay for it in assignats that would then be retired. Thus, church property would in…
Read More