This led to a new government, the French Directory.

During a meeting of the French Directory he was appointed minister of police.

The French Directory was convinced that the Austrians were planning to start another war.

Démeunier returned to France in 1796, and was candidate to the French Directory.

When he again began to produce under the French Directory (1795-1799), his style had changed radically.

He was forced to leave, however, when the French Directory invaded Italy in 1797.

In late 1797, Napoleon said to the French Directory that:

He later served as a prominent leader of the French Directory.

He was kept unemployed during the French Directory, but returned as an inspector after the 18 Brumaire.

The franchise in the French Directory was restricted to a minority of wealthy Frenchmen.