The main influence of the Enlightenment on the French Revolution was the proliferation of ideas centered around reason, liberty, and individual rights. Thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu emphasized concepts like social contract theory, separation of powers, and the rights of the individual, which challenged the traditional structures of monarchy and feudal society. Enlightenment principles inspired revolutionaries to question authority and advocate for change, leading to a demand for political representation and equality. As these ideas gained traction, they fueled discontent against the oppressive monarchy, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789.