French diplomat and statesman of the Napoleonic period.

A journalist in the early stages of the French Revolution, Maret entered the diplomatic service in 1792. After the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire (Nov. 9, 1799), Napoleon appointed him secretary of state to the consuls. He grew in Napoleon's esteem and acted as his confidential adviser. From April 1811 to November 1813, Maret served as minister of foreign affairs; he concluded the treaties with Prussia (February 1812) and with Austria (March 1812) that preceded the French invasion of Russia. In 1815 he helped arrange Napoleon's return from Elba. Exiled during the second Bourbon Restoration, Maret returned to France in 1820 and was made a peer of France by Louis-Philippe. In November 1834 he was appointed prime minister but was unable to form a cabinet.