Biens nationaux

The biens nationaux were properties confiscated during the French Revolution from the Catholic Church, the monarchy, émigrés, and suspected counter-revolutionaries for "the good of the nation".

The possessions of the Roman Catholic Church were declared national property by the decree of 2 November 1789 [fr].

To amend this fiscal problem, the deputy Talleyrand proposed nationalizing the goods of the clergy.

The disposition of these goods was entrusted to a special office, called la Caisse de l'Extraordinaire, which was formed on 19 December 1789.

The difficulty was that the sale of so many biens would take time, at least a year, while the caisses of the State were empty and national bankruptcy appeared to be immediate.

Therefore, it was decided to produce, the very same day as the creation of la Caisse de l'Extraordinaire, a type of bonds called assignats.