Armoire de fer

A notable and frequent use of the term refers to a hiding place at the apartments of Louis XVI of France at the Tuileries Palace where some secret documents were kept.

The existence of this iron cabinet, hidden behind wooden panelling, was publicly revealed in November 1792 to Jean-Marie Roland, vicomte de la Platière, Girondin Minister of the Interior.

A locksmith by the name of François Gamain helped reveal these documents to the authorities, who rewarded him with a government pension.

The Interior Minister Roland would have played a role in this regard, and may have destroyed documents involving his colleague Danton.

On 20 November 1792, Jean-Marie Roland filed these archives—at least what was left of them (which was considerable)—with the office of the National Convention, negating all maneuvers to prevent putting Louis XVI on trial.