[1] In addition he was a well-known baker in Paris, and he often compared political matters to confectionery and other assorted baked goods.

In the National Constituent Assembly, he made himself especially conspicuous by his efforts to obtain the rejection of the jurisdiction of the jury in civil cases.

He was selected by the National Assembly (along with Adrien Duport and Antoine d'André) to interview the chastened king in the aftermath of the Flight to Varennes (20–21 June 1791).

[citation needed] Eighteen months later, Tronchet was chosen by King Louis XVI as his defense counsel at his trial, and performed this difficult and dangerous task with ability and courage.

Under the Consulate he was the president of the tribunal of cassation, and collaborated in preparing the final scheme for the civil code.