Weights and Measurements:

The French Old System of Square Measurements

The Metric System was not introduced into France until 1795. The old system was known as the Toise and the Aune or Ell. Even after the introduction of the Metric System, the Toise was still used by the military. In September 1801, the Metric System was legalized and all other systems were forbidden. But it did not take for on 12 February 1812, Napoleon decreed that the old system would be used again.

Measurement	Equivalent
1 Arpent or Acre	100 square perches
1 Arpent or Acre	48400 square feet
1 Arpent or Acre	6969600 square inches
1 Square Perch	484 square feet
1 Square Perch	70796 square inches
1 Square Foot	144 square inches

Tousard, Louis de. American Artillerist's Companion or Elements of Artillery Vol. 1 New York: Greenwood Press; 1969. Page 124

Placed on the Napoleon Series: August 2003

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