Foreign Minister under the Directory from 1797, he was involved in the coup that brought Napoleon to power, and held the same position under the new leader (1799–1807); he then resigned office and engaged in secret negotiations to have Napoleon deposed. Talleyrand became head of the new government after the fall of Napoleon (1814) and recalled Louis XVIII to the throne. He was later instrumental in the overthrow of Charles X and the accession of Louis Philippe (1830).