The Coup of 18 Brumaire, also known as the 18th Brumaire coup, was a coup d'état that took place in France on 10 November 1799 (18 Brumaire, Year VIII according to the French Republican Calendar). It overthrew the Directory and established the Consulate, with Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul.

Paul Barras was a French politician and military leader who played a prominent role in the French Revolution. He was a member of the Directory from 1795 to 1799 and was its president from 1798 to 1799.

The main goal of the Directory was to stabilize the French government after the Reign of Terror. The Directory was established in 1795 after the fall of the Committee of Public Safety, which had ruled France during the Reign of Terror. The Directory was tasked with creating a new constitution, restoring order to the country, and defending France from its enemies.

The Directory faced a number of challenges, including economic instability, political instability, and military threats from foreign powers. The Directory was able to overcome some of these challenges, but it was ultimately unable to stabilize the French government and was overthrown in 1799.

The Directory was overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte in the Coup of 18 Brumaire on 10 November 1799. Bonaparte, who was a general in the French army, seized power with the support of the military and some members of the Directory. The Coup of 18 Brumaire marked the end of the Directory and the beginning of the Consulate, with Bonaparte as First Consul.