France–Liechtenstein relations

France–Liechtenstein relations are the bilateral relations of France and Liechtenstein, dating back to the Napoleonic wars. Since then, relations between the two countries have been stable.

France does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein. The French ambassador to Switzerland, located in Bern, is also accredited to Liechtenstein. Similarly, the Swiss embassy in Paris also represents Liechtenstein.

History

Napoleonic wars

In the War of the First Coalition, Liechtenstein, as part of the Holy Roman Empire, contributed approximately 20 troops to the coalition forces from 1793 to 1796 to oppose the French under the leadership of Napoleon I. During the War of the Second Coalition, France invaded Liechtenstein on 6 March 1799 and plundered several towns, including Nendeln that was burned by French troops, which resulted in the deaths of four people. The Austrian and Volgraberg state militias under the command of Lieutenant Field Marshal Franjo Jelačić defeated 18,000 French troops stationed in Liechtenstein under the command of General André Masséna and liberated the country by 14 May.

In 1806, Liechtenstein was one of the principalities and counties that Maximilian I of Bavaria wanted to annex as his price for joining the Confederation of the Rhine, but Napoleon refused because he appreciated the personal qualities of Johann I as a negotiator, Austria's envoy during the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Pressburg. Thus Liechtenstein became a sovereign state later that year when it joined Napoleon's Confederation of the Rhine upon the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. The French once again occupied the country for a few years, but Liechtenstein regained its independence upon Napoleon's defeat in 1815.