France
History Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in France's history.
58-51 B.C.:
Roman emperor Julius Caesar conquers Gaul, which is now France.
486-511 A.D.:
A tribe called the Franks rules the region. The land is named for them.
1429:
Joan of Arc leads French troops against the English at Orléans.
1643-1715:
Louis XIV, the Sun King, reigns longer than any other French ruler. In this era, France gains power throughout Europe.
1789:
On July 14, citizens storm the Bastille, a Paris prison. The French Revolution begins, eventually leading to end of the royal family's rule. Each year, France celebrates Bastille Day.
1804:
Military hero Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself emperor after leading France to victory over Europe's strongest nations. In 1815, Napoleon is finally defeated at Waterloo in Belgium.
1836:
The Arc de Triomphe is finished. It commemorates the victories of the Napoleonic Empire.
1903:
Henry Desgrange founds the Tour de France, the world's most popular and important bicycle race.
1914-1918:
France battles Germany in World War I.
1919:
Versaille, France is the location of the signing of the Treaty of Versaille, which ends World War I.
1940:
Germany invades France during World War II. In 1945, Britain, France, the U.S. and other allies defeat Germany, Japan and Italy.
1944:
After four years, Paris is freed from German occupation. General Charles de Gaulle heads a provisional government in Paris.
1946-1954:
France loses control of colonies in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, in the The French-Indochina War.
1959:
DeGaulle becomes the President of the Fifth Republic. He is reelected in 1965.
1962:
After a long struggle, France gives up control of Algeria in Africa.
1981:
François Mitterrand is elected president. He is in office for 14 years, becoming the longest-serving president in French history.
1991:
Edith Cresson becomes France's first female Prime Minister.
1994:
The Channel Tunnel opens, connecting Britain and France under the English Channel.
1995:
President Jacques Chirac is elected President of the Republic. France conducts nuclear tests in the Pacific and receives international condemnation.
2002:
Euro bills and coins are introduced. The euro now is used for all transactions in 12 participating European Union countries.
2002:
Jacques Chirac is re-elected President of the Republic.
2003:
U.S.-France relations are strained when France does not support the U.S. and Britain's use of military force in Iraq.
