History of France

Lascaux painting

Gavrinis 2

Massalia large coin 5th 1st century BCE

Palais Lassois07

Celtic expansion in Europe

History of France

The History of France has been shaped by geography, by profound historical events, and by foreign and internal forces and groups. France, one of the oldest nations in the world, has gone through numerous transformations, from a West Frankish kingdom that emerged from the division of the Carolingian Empire, to a multi-continental empire in the late Middle Ages and early modern period, to the modern democratic republic it is today.

Prehistory and Antiquity

The story of France begins with the arrival of the first modern humans in the region, approximately 1.8 million years ago. Prehistoric sites, such as those found in Lascaux and Chauvet Cave, showcase some of the earliest known examples of art and suggest a rich cultural history. The area that is now France was originally inhabited by Celtic tribes known as Gauls. The conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar in the 1st century BC brought the region into the Roman Empire, laying the foundation for the Gallo-Roman culture.

Middle Ages

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the Franks, a collection of Germanic tribes, established control over the region. The most notable Frankish king, Charlemagne, was crowned Emperor of the Romans in 800 AD, symbolizing the continuation of Roman legacy in the west. The division of Charlemagne's empire among his grandsons laid the groundwork for the modern nations of France and Germany.

The Middle Ages were marked by the Hundred Years' War between France and England, which had a profound impact on French society and politics. The war ended in 1453 with a decisive French victory, which helped to solidify the sense of French national identity.

Renaissance and Reformation

The Renaissance brought about a cultural flourishing in France, with the sponsorship of arts and letters by the monarchy. The French Renaissance was also a period of significant architectural development, including the construction of the Loire Valley châteaux. The Reformation introduced religious conflicts, leading to the French Wars of Religion between Catholics and Huguenots, which ended with the Edict of Nantes in 1598, granting limited religious freedoms to Protestants.

Absolute Monarchy and the French Revolution

The 17th and 18th centuries were dominated by the rise of absolute monarchy, with Louis XIV embodying the apex of royal power at his court in Versailles. However, widespread discontent with absolutism, fiscal mismanagement, and inequality led to the French Revolution in 1789. The revolution abolished the monarchy, established a republic, and led to a period of radical social and political upheaval, culminating in the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

19th Century to World Wars

The 19th century saw the restoration of the monarchy, its subsequent overthrow, and the establishment of the French Second Empire under Napoleon III. France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) led to the fall of the Empire and the proclamation of the Third Republic. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by the Belle Époque, a period of cultural and technological advancement.

World War I and World War II had profound effects on France, including occupation by Germany during the latter. The post-war period saw the establishment of the Fourth and then the Fifth Republic, which exists to this day.

Contemporary France

Today, France is a democratic republic with a strong tradition of republicanism. It is a key member of the European Union and a nuclear power, with significant influence in global affairs. The country continues to grapple with issues of immigration, integration, and national identity.