[1] Returning to Paris in 1789, he became involved in Royalist plans initiated by his former employer, the Count of Provence, to save the King and end the French Revolution.

In order to finance this venture, Provence (using one of his gentlemen, the Count of La Châtre, as an intermediary) commissioned Favras to negotiate a loan of two million francs from the bankers Schaumel and Sartorius.

It was stated in a leaflet circulated throughout Paris on 23 December 1789 that Favras had been hired by the Count of Provence to organize an elaborate plot against the people of France.

Terrified of the consequences of the arrest, the Count of Provence hastened to publicly disavow Favras, in a speech delivered before the Paris Commune, and in a letter to the National Constituent Assembly.

However, an armed attempt to free him by some Royalists on 26 January, which was thwarted by La Fayette, aroused the suspicion of the Parisians, and on 18 February 1790, in spite of a notable defense plea, Favras was sentenced to be hanged.

[1] After he had previously implicated others in the conspiracy—most notably the Count of Antraigues—Favras offered to give further information to the authorities on the plot's details and participants if reprieved but, denied that, refused to reveal more.

[3] His sentence was carried out in the Place de Grève the next day – a measure which was received with enthusiasm by members of the Parisian population, since it was the first instance when no distinction in the mode of execution was allowed between noble and commoner.