Detailled history

History of France:

59-51 B.C. : Gaul, originally inhabited by Celtic and Iberian peoples, conquered by Caesar

3rd C. A.D. : invasions ravage the country

498 : Clovis, king of the Francs, baptized at Reims

800 : Crowning of Charlemagne, who establishes the vast Occidental Empire

843 : The Treaty of Verdun breaks France into 3 parts – Occidental France (west of the Rhône River) becomes modern-day France

11th-12th C. : the weakness of central power generates a feudal system, where the lords build strong castle-forts ; re-awakening of the Christian faith is strengthened by the multiplication of churches and monasteries

Mid-12th-13th C. : the development of towns, the growth in population, and the appetite for knowledge brings medieval civilization to its apogee ; large cathedrals are built, especially in the region of Paris ; the utilization of arches allows stained glass windows to be used

1337-1475 : The 100 Years War; Joan of Ark frees Orléans in 1429; Treaty signed by Louis XI

16th C. : despite the religious crisis of the Reformation, the ideas of the Renaissance flourish

1643-1715 : Louis XIV, the Sun King, epitomizes the absolute monarchy with the building of the Château of Versaille (his royal palace) ; Epoch of artistic and literary glory (Molière, La Fontaine), and military glory (France is the number one European power)

1789-1793 : The Revolution puts an end to the ancient regime; Louis XVI decapitated Jan. 1793

1804-1815 : Napoléon, Emperor, puts in place a new and massive administrative organization ; His social and bureaucratic changes are good for the country domestically, but his wars in Europe eventually weaken France

1815-1848 : After the restoration of the monarchy (Louis XVIII and Charles X), Louis-Philippe establishes constitutional monarchy before being overthrown in 1848

1848-1870 : Napoléon III forms 2nd Empire in 1851 ; Industrial Revolution ; War against Prussia ends in 1871 by losing Alsace and part of Lorraine

1871-1914 : 3rd Republic makes important reforms (primary school free and obligatory, separation of Church and State – 1905) ; Foreign policy centered around colonial expansion, especially into Africa

1914-1918 : WWI; Return of Alsace in 1918 at end of war

1939-1945 : WWII

1945-today : 4th & 5th Republic make modernization and a stronger collaboration with Europe priorities