Treaty of Campo Formio The Treaty of Campo Formio ( or Peace of Campo Formio , or rarely Treaty of Campoformido ) was signed on 18 October 1797 ( 27 Vendémiaire , Year VI ) by Napoleon Bonaparte and Count Philipp von Cobenzl as representatives of revolutionary France and the Austrian monarchy . The treaty marked the victorious conclusion to Napoleon ' s campaigns in Italy , the collapse of the First Coalition , and the end of the first phase of the French Revolutionary Wars . Terms of the treaty . Beyond the usual clauses of " firm and inviolable peace " the treaty transferred a number of Austrian territories into French hands . Lands ceded included the Austrian Netherlands ( now the most part of Belgium ) and certain islands in the Mediterranean , including Corfu and other Venetian islands in the Adriatic Sea . Venice and its territories ( Venetia ) were divided between the two states : Venice , Istria and Dalmatia were turned over to the Austrian emperor . Austria recognized the Cisalpine Republic and the newly created Ligurian Republic , formed of Genovese territories , as independent powers . In addition , the states of the Regnum Italicum formally ceased to owe fealty to the Holy Roman Emperor , finally ending the formal existence of that Kingdom . The treaty also contained secret clauses signed by Napoleon Bonaparte and representatives of the Austrian emperor , which divided up certain other territories , made Liguria independent , and also agreed to the extension of the borders of France up to the Rhine , the Nette , and the Roer . Free French navigation was guaranteed on the Rhine , the Meuse and the Moselle . The French Republic had been expanded into Germany and Italy ' s natural boundaries . The treaty was composed and signed after five months of negotiations . It was basically what had been agreed earlier at the Peace of Leoben in April 1797 , but the negotiations had been spun out by both parties for a number of reasons . During the negotiating period the French had to crush a royalist coup in September . This was used as a cause for the arrest and deportation of royalist and moderate deputies in the Directory . Napoleon ' s biographer , Felix Markham , wrote " the partition of Venice was not only a moral blot on the peace settlement but left Austria a foothold in Italy , which could only lead to further war . " In fact the Peace of Campo Formio , though it reshaped the map of Europe and marked a major step in Napoleon ' s fame , was only a respite . As a result of the treaty , Gilbert du Motier , marquis de Lafayette , a prisoner from the French revolution , was released from Austrian captivity . By passing Venetian possessions in Greece , such as the Ionian Islands , to French rule , the Treaty of Campo Formio had an effect on later Greek history which was not intended or expected at the time . The placing of a small French garrison at the formerly Venetian - ruled town of Preveza , on the edge of Ottoman territory , proved untenable and had disastrous results for French soldiers and townspeople . Campo Formio , now called Campoformido , is a village west of Udine in north - eastern Italy , in the middle between Austrian headquarters in Udine and Napoleon ' s residence . The French commander resided at Villa Manin near Codroipo , country mansion of Ludovico Manin , last Doge of Venice . It was there that Napoleon signed the treaty .