France wants Charles X returned to Saint-Denis cathedral

An association of historians and descendants of the Bourbon monarchy have launched a campaign to have the remains of the last Bourbon monarch, Charles X, returned to France.

Charles X was France’s last monarch and brother of Louis XVI, who famously lost his head during the French revolution, is currently buried in Slovenia.

However, his descendants want him back in France and are looking to have his remains transferred from a monastery in Slovenia where he is buried along with members of his family.

Charles X died after contracting cholera in the Adriatic resort of Gorizia where he was on holiday.

“All we have left of him is this image of a reactionary monarch, blind to the realities of his era and the wishes of his subjects. Yet the Restoration, despite its failings, was the first attempt at a parliamentary regime in France,” Philippe Delorme, the honorary president of the association said.

He survived the revolution by fleeing France three days after the fall of the Bastille, but unlike his brother believe the monarchy as an institution could be reformed.

The association is due to send a letter to the Slovenian embassy in Paris this week to explain the request.

Charles X was King of France from 16 September 1824 until 2 August 1830.

For most of his life he was known as the Count of Artois. An uncle of the uncrowned King Louis XVII, and younger brother to reigning Kings Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, he supported the latter in exile and eventually succeeded him.

His rule of almost six years ended in the July Revolution of 1830, which resulted in his abdication and the election of Louis Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as the French king.