Napoleon reportedly mourned the loss of Desaix. Monuments were commissioned and erected in his honour, though it should be noted this magnanimity towards his saviour came at no political risk, a dead man can't usurp power.

The political ramifications of the French victory at Marengo were enormous. Melas convened a war council and signed the very unfavourable Convention of Alessandria the day after the battle. The victory consolidated Napoleon's political position in Paris as First Consul paved the way to his coronation as Emperor, and provided the political capital for him to reform France as he saw fit.