List of heads of state of France

Summary

Monarchs ruled the Kingdom of France from the establishment of Francia in 509 to 1870, except for certain periods from 1792 to 1852. Since 1870, the head of state has been the President of France. Below is a list of all French heads of state. It includes the kings of the Franks, the monarchs of the Kingdom of France, emperors of the First and Second Empire and leaders of the five Republics.

Carolingian dynasty (843–888) edit

The Carolingians were a Frankish noble family with origins in the Arnulfing and Pippinid clans of the 7th century AD. The family consolidated its power in the 8th century, eventually making the offices of mayor of the palace and dux et princeps Francorum hereditary and becoming the real powers behind the Merovingian kings. The dynasty is named after one of these mayors of the palace, Charles Martel, whose son Pepin the Short dethroned the Merovingians in 751 and, with the consent of the Papacy and the aristocracy, was crowned King of the Franks.[1] Under Charles the Great (r. 768–814), better known as "Charlemagne", the Frankish kingdom expanded deep into Central Europe, conquering Italy and most of modern Germany. He was succeeded by his son Louis the Pious (r. 814–840), who eventually divided the kingdom between his sons. His death, however, was followed by a 3-year-long civil war that ended with the Treaty of Verdun. Modern France developed from West Francia, while East Francia became the Holy Roman Empire and later Germany.

Louis the Pious made many divisions of the Carolingian Empire during his lifetime. The final division, pronounced at Worms in 838, made Charles the Bald heir to the west, including Aquitaine, and Lothair heir to the east, including Italy and excluding Bavaria, which was left for Louis the German. However, following the emperor's death in 840, the empire was plunged into a civil war that lasted three years. The Frankish kingdom was then divided by the Treaty of Verdun in 843. Lothair was allowed to keep his imperial title and his kingdom of Italy, and granted the Middle Francia, a corridor of land stretching from Italy to the North Sea, and including the Low Countries, the Rhineland (including Aachen), Burgundy, and Provence. Charles was confirmed in Aquitaine, where Pepin I's son Pepin II was opposing him, and granted West Francia (modern France), the lands west of Lothair's Kingdom. Louis the German was confirmed in Bavaria and granted East Francia (modern Germany), the lands east of Lothair's kingdom.

Portrait Name Reign Succession Life details
  Charles II
  "the Bald"
[a]
c. 10 August 843[i] – 6 October 877
(34 years and 2 months)
Son of Louis the Pious and grandson of Charlemagne; recognized as king after the Treaty of Verdun 13 June 823[b] – 6 October 877
(aged 54)
King of Aquitaine since 838. Crowned "Emperor of the Romans" on Christmas 875. Died of natural causes[4]
  Louis II
 "the Stammerer"
[c]
6 October 877[ii] – 10 April 879
(1 year, 6 months and 4 days)
Son of Charles the Bald 1 November 846 – 10 April 879
(aged 32)
King of Aquitaine since 867. Died of natural causes.[6]
  Louis III 10 April 879[iii] – 5 August 882
(3 years, 3 months and 26 days)
Son of Louis the Stammerer 863 – 5 August 882[d]
(aged 19)
Ruled the North; died after hitting his head with a lintel while riding his horse.[12]
  Carloman II 10 April 879[iv] – 6 December 884
(5 years, 7 months and 26 days)
Son of Louis the Stammerer 866 – 6 December 884[e]
(aged 18)
Ruled the South; died after being accidentally stabbed by his servant.[16]
  Charles (III)
 "the Fat"
[f]
6 December 884[v] – 11 November 887[g]
(2 years, 11 months and 5 days)
Son of Louis II the German, king of East Francia, and grandson of Louis I 839[h] – 13 January 888
(aged 48–49)

King of East Francia since 876; crowned Emperor in 881. Last ruler to control all Frankish territories. Deposed by the nobility, later dying of natural causes[22]

Robertian dynasty (888–898) edit

Portrait Name Reign Succession Life details
  Odo
Eudes or Odon
29 February 888[vi] – 3 January 898
(9 years, 10 months and 15 days)
Son of Robert the Strong; elected king by the French nobles following the deposition of Charles. Initially rivaled by Guy III of Spoleto and Ranulf II of Aquitaine c. 858 – 3 January 898[i]
(aged approx. 40)
Defended Paris from the Vikings; died of natural causes[27]

Carolingian dynasty (898–922) edit

Portrait Name Reign Succession Life details
  Charles III "the Simple" 3 January 898[vii] – 29 June 922
(24 years, 5 months and 26 days)
Posthumous son of Louis II the Stammerer; proclaimed king in opposition to Odo in January 893 17 September 879 – 7 October 929
(aged 50)
Deposed by Robert's followers; later captured by Herbert II, Count of Vermandois. Died in captivity[28]

Robertian dynasty (922–923) edit

Portrait Name Reign Succession Life details
  Robert I 29 June 922[viii]– 15 June 923
(11 months and 17 days)
Son of Robert the Strong and younger brother of Odo 865 – 15 June 923
(aged 58)
Killed at the Battle of Soissons against Charles III. Sole king to die in battle[30]

Bosonid dynasty (923–936) edit

Portrait Name Reign Succession Life details
  Rudolph
Rodolphe or Raoul
15 June 923[ix]– 14 January 936
(12 years, 6 months and 30 days)
Son of Richard, Duke of Burgundy and son-in-law of Robert I Duke of Burgundy since 921. Died of illness after a reign of constant civil war and viking raids. Lost Lotharingia (Lorraine) to Henry I of Germany[31]

Carolingian dynasty (936–987) edit

Portrait Name Reign Succession Life details
  Louis IV "from Overseas" 19 June 936[x] – 10 September 954
(18 years, 2 months and 22 days)
Son of Charles the Simple, recalled to France after being exiled to England 921 – 10 September 954
(aged 33)
Died after falling off his horse[32]
  Lothair
Lothaire
10 September 954[xi] – 2 March 986
(31 years, 5 months and 20 days)
Son of Louis IV 941 – 2 March 986
(aged 44)
Died of natural causes[33]
  Louis V "the Do-Nothing" 2 March 986[xii] – 22 May 987
(1 year, 2 months and 20 days)
Son of Lothair 967 – 22 May 987[k]
(aged 20)
Died in a hunting accident[35]

Capetian dynasty (987–1792) edit

The Capetian dynasty is named for Hugh Capet, a Robertian who served as Duke of the Franks and was elected King in 987. Except for the Bonaparte-led Empires, every monarch of France was a male-line descendant of Hugh Capet. The kingship passed through patrilineally from father to son until the 14th century, a period known as Direct Capetian rule. Afterwards, it passed to the House of Valois, a cadet branch that descended from Philip III. The Valois claim was disputed by Edward III, the Plantagenet king of England who claimed himself as the rightful king of France through his French mother Isabella; the two houses fought the Hundred Years' War over the issue, and with Henry VI of England being for a time partially recognized as King of France. The Valois line died out in the late 16th century, during the French Wars of Religion, to be replaced by the distantly related House of Bourbon, which descended through the Direct Capetian Louis IX. The Bourbons would rule France until deposed in the French Revolution, though they would be restored to the throne after the fall of Napoleon. The last Capetian to rule would be Louis Philippe I, king of the July Monarchy (1830–1848), a member of the cadet House of Bourbon-Orléans.

House of Capet (987–1328) edit

The House of Capet are also commonly known as the "Direct Capetians".

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Hugh "Capet"
Hugues[l]
1 June 987[xiii] – 24 October 996
(9 years, 4 months and 23 days)
Elected king by the French nobles. Son of Hugh the Great and grandson of Robert I[m] c. 940 – 24 October 996
(aged approx. 55)
Duke of the Franks since 956. Died of natural causes.[39]
  Robert II "the Pious" 24 October 996[xiv] – 20 July 1031
(34 years, 8 months and 26 days)
Only son of Hugh Capet c. 970 – 20 July 1031
(aged approx. 60)
Married thrice, getting excommunicated by the Catholic Church. Incorporated the Duchy of Burgundy[40]
Hughes
(junior king)
[n]
19 June 1017 – 17 September 1025
(under Robert II)
Son of Robert II c. 1007 – 17 September 1025
(aged approx. 18)[41]
  Henry I
Henri
20 July 1031[xv] – 4 August 1060
(29 years and 15 days)
Son of Robert II c. 1005 – 4 August 1060
(aged approx. 55)
His reign was marked with internal struggle against feudal lords[42]
  Philip I "the Amorous"
Philippe
4 August 1060[xvi] – 29 July 1108
(47 years, 11 months and 25 days)
Son of Henry I 1052 – 29 July 1108
(aged 56)
Ruled under the regency of Anne of Kiev and Count Baldwin V until 1066[43]
  Louis VI "the Fat" 29 July 1108[xvii] – 1 August 1137
(29 years and 3 days)
Son of Philip I 1081 – 1 August 1137
(aged 56)
His reign contributed to the centralization of royal power. First king to wage war against the English[44]
Philippe
(junior king)
[n]
14 April 1129 – 13 October 1131
(under Louis VI)
Son of Louis VI 29 August 1116 – 13 October 1131
(aged 15)[45]
  Louis VII "the Young" 1 August 1137[xviii] – 18 September 1180
(43 years, 1 month and 17 days)
Son of Louis VI 1120 – 18 September 1180
(aged 60)
Known for his rivalry with Henry II of England and his military campaigns during the Second Crusade[46]
  Philip II "Augustus"
Philippe Auguste
  18 September 1180[xix]– 14 July 1223
(42 years, 9 months and 26 days)
Son of Louis VII 21 August 1165 – 14 July 1223
(aged 57)
Regarded as one of the greatest French rulers. First monarch to style himself as "King of France"[47]
  Louis VIII "the Lion" 14 July 1223[xx]– 8 November 1226
(3 years, 3 months and 25 days)
Son of Philip II 5 September 1187 – 8 November 1226
(aged 39)
Proclaimed king of England in 1216, after which he led an unsuccessful invasion[48]
  Louis IX "the Saint" 8 November 1226[xxi]– 25 August 1270
(43 years, 9 months and 17 days)
Son of Louis VIII 25 April 1214 – 25 August 1270
(aged 56)
Ruled under the regency of Blanche of Castile until 1234. Died during the 8th Crusade; only king to be venerated by the Catholic Church[49]
  Philip III "the Bold"
Philippe
25 August 1270[xxii]– 5 October 1285
(15 years, 1 month and 10 days)
Son of Louis IX 3 April 1245 – 5 October 1285
(aged 40)
Greatly expanded French influence in Europe. Died of a fever[50]
  Philip IV "the Fair"
Philippe
  5 October 1285[xxiii] – 29 November 1314
(29 years, 1 month and 24 days)
Son of Philip III 1268 – 29 November 1314
(aged 46)
King of Navarre (as Philip I) since 16 August 1284, following his marriage with Joan I. Remembered for his struggle with the Roman papacy and his consolidation of royal power, which helped to reduce the influence of feudal lords[51]
  Louis X "the Quarreller" 29 November 1314[xxiv]– 5 June 1316
(1 year, 6 months and 7 days)
Son of Philip IV 3 October 1289 – 5 June 1316
(aged 26)
King of Navarre (as Louis I) since 2 April 1305. His short reign was marked by conflicts with the nobility[52]
  John I "the Posthumous"
Jean
15–19 November 1316
(4 days)
Posthumous son of Louis X King for the four days he lived; youngest and shortest undisputed monarch in French history[o]
  Philip V "the Tall"
Philippe
20 November 1316[xxv]– 3 January 1322
(5 years, 1 month and 14 days)
Son of Philip IV and uncle of John I 1293/4 – 3 January 1322
(aged 28–29)
King of Navarre as Philip II.
Died without a male heir[57]
  Charles IV "the Fair" 3 January 1322[xxvi]– 1 February 1328
(6 years and 29 days)
Son of Philip IV and younger brother of Philip V 1294 – 1 February 1328
(aged 34)
King of Navarre as Charles I. Died without a male heir, ending the direct line of Capetians[58]

House of Valois (1328–1589) edit

The death of Charles IV started the Hundred Years' War between the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet, whose claim was taken up by the cadet branch known as the House of Lancaster, over control of the French throne. The Valois claimed the right to the succession by male-only primogeniture through the ancient Salic Law, having the closest all-male line of descent from a recent French king. They were descended from the third son of Philip III, Charles, Count of Valois. The Plantagenets based their claim on being closer to a more recent French king, Edward III of England being a grandson of Philip IV through his mother, Isabella.

The two houses fought the Hundred Years War to enforce their claims. The Valois were ultimately successful, and French historiography counts their leaders as rightful kings. One Plantagenet, Henry VI of England, enjoyed de jure control of the French throne following the Treaty of Troyes, which formed the basis for continued English claims to the throne of France until 1801. The Valois line ruled France until the line became extinct in 1589, in the backdrop of the French Wars of Religion. As Navarre did not have a tradition of male-only primogeniture, the Navarrese monarchy became distinct from the French with Joan II, a daughter of Louis X.

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Philip VI "the Fortunate"
Philippe
  1 April 1328[xxvii] – 22 August 1350
(22 years, 4 months and 21 days)
Son of Charles, Count of Valois, grandson of Philip III and cousin of Charles IV 1293 – 22 August 1350
(aged 57)
His reign was dominated by the consequences of a succession dispute, which led to the Hundred Years' War.[59]
  John II "the Good"
Jean
22 August 1350[xxviii] – 8 April 1364
(13 years, 7 months and 17 days)
Son of Philip VI April 1319[q] – 8 April 1364
(aged 45)
Captured by the English at the Battle of Poitiers (1356); forced to sign a series of humiliating treaties[60]
  Charles V "the Wise"   8 April 1364[xxix]– 16 September 1380
(16 years, 5 months and 8 days)
Son of John II; named Dauphin on 16 July 1349 21 January 1337 – 16 September 1380
(aged 43)
His reign was marked with internal struggle against feudal lords[61]
  Charles VI "the Mad" "the Beloved"   16 Sept 1380[xxx]– 21 October 1422
(42 years, 1 month and 5 days)
Son of Charles V 3 December 1368 – 21 October 1422
(aged 53)
Ruled under the regency of his uncles until 1388. Suffered a long period of mental illness before dying of natural causes[62]
  Henry VI of England
(claimant)
  21 October 1422[xxxi]
19 October 1453[r]
(disputed; 31 years)
Maternal grandson of Charles VI, recognized as heir after the Treaty of Troyes of 21 May 1420 6 December 1421 – 21 May 1471
(aged 49)
King of England since 1 September 1422. Ruled under several regencies until 1437[63]
  Charles VII "the Victorious" "the Well-Served"   21 October 1422[xxxii] – 22 July 1461
(38 years, 9 months and 1 day)
Son of Charles VI and uncle of Henry VI of England, named Dauphin in April 1417 22 February 1403 – 22 July 1461
(aged 58)
His reign saw the end of the Hundred Years' War[64]
  Louis XI "the Prudent" "the Universal Spider"   22 July 1461[xxxiii] – 30 August 1483
(22 years, 1 month and 8 days)
Son of Charles VII 3 July 1423 – 30 August 1483
(aged 60)
His reign saw the strengthening and expansion of royal power. Nicknamed "the Universal Spider" for the numerous intrigues during his rule[65]
  Charles VIII "the Affable"   30 August 1483[xxxiv] – 7 April 1498
(14 years, 7 months and 8 days)
Son of Louis XI 30 June 1470 – 7 April 1498
(aged 27)
Ruled under the regency of his sister Anne until 1491. Started the long and unsuccessful Italian Wars. Died after hitting his head with a lintel[66]

House of Valois-Orléans (1498–1515) edit

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Louis XII "Father of the People"   7 April 1498[xxxv] – 1 January 1515
(16 years, 8 months and 25 days)
Great-grandson of Charles V. Second cousin, and by first marriage son-in-law, of Louis XI 27 June 1462 – 1 January 1515
(aged 52)
Briefly conquered the Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Milan[67]

House of Valois-Angoulême (1515–1589) edit

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Francis I "the Father of Letters"
François
  1 January 1515[xxxvi] – 31 March 1547
(32 years, 2 months and 30 days)
Great-great-grandson of Charles V. First cousin once removed, and by first marriage son-in-law, of Louis XII 12 September 1494 – 31 March 1547
(aged 52)
Remembered as a Renaissance patron of the arts and scholarship. Died of a fever[68]
  Henry II
Henri
31 March 1547[xxxvii] – 10 July 1559
(12 years, 3 months and 10 days)
Son of Francis I, named Dauphin in August 1536 31 March 1519 – 10 July 1559
(aged 40)
His reign saw the end of the Italian Wars. Died after being accidentally stabbed in a Jousting tournament[69]
  Francis II
François
10 July 1559[xxxviii] – 5 December 1560
(1 year, 4 months and 25 days)
Son of Henry II 20 January 1544 – 5 December 1560
(aged 16)
King consort of Scotland since 24 April 1558. A weak and sick boy, he remained under the regency of the House of Guise until his premature death[70]
  Charles IX 5 December 1560[xxxix] – 30 May 1574
(13 years, 5 months and 25 days)
Younger brother of Francis II 27 June 1550 – 30 May 1574
(aged 23)
Ruled under the regency of his mother Catherine until 1563, but remained under her influence until his death. The Wars of Religion began under his reign (1562). Best remembered for the Massacre of Vassy[71]
  Henry III
Henri
  30 May 1574[xl] – 2 August 1589
(15 years, 2 months and 3 days)
Younger brother of Francis II and Charles IX 19 September 1551 – 2 August 1589
(aged 37)
Initially ruler of Poland–Lithuania.[s] He reigned through the devastating Wars of Religion, which eventually led to his own assassination[75]

House of Bourbon (1589–1792) edit

The Valois line looked strong on the death of Henry II, who left four male heirs. His first son, Francis II, died in his minority. His second son, Charles IX, had no legitimate sons to inherit. Following the premature death of his fourth son Hercule François and the assassination of his third son, the childless Henry III, France was plunged into a succession crisis over which distant cousin of the king would inherit the throne. The best claimant, King Henry III of Navarre, was a Protestant, and thus unacceptable to much of the French nobility.

Ultimately, after winning numerous battles in defence of his claim, Henry converted to Catholicism and was crowned as King Henry IV, founding the House of Bourbon. This marked the second time the thrones of Navarre and France were united under one monarch, as different inheritance laws had caused them to become separated during the events of the Hundred Years Wars. The House of Bourbon was overthrown during the French Revolution and replaced by a short-lived republic.

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Charles X
(claimant)
  2 August 1589 – 9 May 1590
(disputed; 9 months and 7 days)
7x great-grandson of Louis IX. Proclaimed king by the Catholic League in opposition to Henry of Navarre 22 December 1523 – 9 May 1590
(aged 66)
Imprisoned by Henry III on 23 December 1588; remained his entire "reign" in captivity. Died of natural causes[76]
  Henry IV "the Great" "the Good King"
Henri
  2 August 1589[xli] – 14 May 1610
(20 years, 9 months and 12 days)
10th-generation descendant of Louis IX; also nephew of Charles (X) and by first marriage son-in-law of Henry II. Proclaimed king on Henry III's deathbed 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610
(aged 56)
King of Lower Navarre (as Henry III) since 10 June 1572. Killed in Paris on 14 May 1610 by Catholic fanatic François Ravaillac.[77]
  Louis XIII "the Just" 14 May 1610[xlii] – 14 May 1643
(33 years)
Son of Henry IV 27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643
(aged 41)
Last King of Lower Navarre (as Louis II).[t] Died of natural causes.[78]
  Louis XIV "the Great" "the Sun King" 14 May 1643[xliii] – 1 September 1715
(72 years, 3 months and 18 days)
Son of Louis XIII 5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715
(aged 76)
Ruled under the regency of his mother Anne of Austria until 1651. Longest reigning sovereign monarch in history[79]
  Louis XV "the Beloved" 1 September 1715[xliv] – 10 May 1774
(58 years, 8 months and 9 days)
Great-grandson of Louis XIV 15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774
(aged 64)
Ruled under the regency of Philippe II, Duke of Bourbon-Orléans, until 1723[80]
  Louis XVI 10 May 1774[xlv] – 21 September 1792[u]
(18 years, 4 months and 11 days)
Grandson of Louis XV 23 August 1754 – 21 January 1793
(aged 38)
Forced to install a constitutional monarchy after 1789. Formally deposed following the proclamation of the First Republic, executed in public[81]
  Louis XVII
(claimant)
21 January 1793 – 8 June 1795
(2 years, 4 months and 18 days; disputed)
Son of Louis XVI; named Dauphin on 4 June 1789 27 March 1785 – 8 June 1795
(aged 10)
Imprisoned by the revolutionary forces on 13 August 1792. Remained his entire "reign" in captivity[82]

First Republic (1792–1804) edit

National Convention edit

From 22 September 1792 to 2 November 1795, the French Republic was governed by the National Convention, whose president (elected from within for a 14-day term) may be considered as France's legitimate head of state during this period. Historians generally divide the Convention's activities into three periods, moderate, radical, and reaction, and the policies of presidents of the Convention reflect these distinctions. During the radical and reaction phases, some of the presidents were executed, most by guillotine, committed suicide, or were deported. In addition, some of the presidents were later deported during the Bourbon Restoration in 1815.

Moderate phase edit

Initially, La Marais, or The Plain, a moderate, amorphous group, controlled the Convention. At the first session, held on 20 September 1792, the elder statesman Philippe Rühl presided over the session. The following day, amidst profound silence, the proposition was put to the assembly, "That royalty be abolished in France"; it carried, with cheers. On the 22nd came the news of the Republic's victory at the Battle of Valmy. On the same day, the Convention decreed that "in future, the acts of the assembly shall be dated First Year of the French Republic". Three days later, the Convention added the corollary of "the French republic is one and indivisible", to guard against federalism.[83]

The following men were elected for two-week terms as presidents, or executives, of the Convention.[84]

Image Dates Name Fate
  20 September 1792 Philippe Rühl Suicide, 29/30 May 1795
  20 September 1792  – 4 October 1792 Jérôme Pétion de Villeneuve Suicide, 18 June 1794
  4 October 1792  – 18 October 1792 Jean-François Delacroix Guillotined with Georges Danton, 5 April 1794
  18 October 1792  – 1 November 1792 Marguerite-Élie Guadet Guillotined 17 June 1794
  1 November 1792  – 15 November 1792 Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles Guillotined with Georges Danton, 5 April 1794
  15 November 1792  – 29 November 1792 Henri Grégoire Died 28 May 1831
  29 November 1792 – 13 December 1792 Bertrand Barère de Vieuzac Died 13 January 1841
  13 December 1792  – 27 December 1792 Jacques Defermon des Chapelières Died 20 June 1831
  27 December 1792  – 10 January 1793 Jean-Baptiste Treilhard Died 1 December 1810
  10 January 1793  – 24 January 1793 Pierre Victurnien Vergniaud 31 October 1793, guillotined.
  24 January 1793  – 7 February 1793 Jean-Paul Rabaut Saint-Étienne 5 December 1793, guillotined
  7 February 1793  – 21 February 1793 Jean-Jacques Bréard, dit Bréard-Duplessis 2 January 1840
  21 February 1793  – 7 March 1793 Edmond Louis Alexis Dubois-Crancé 29 June 1814
  7 March 1793  – 21 March 1793 Armand Gensonné 31 October 1793, guillotined
  21 March 1793  – 4 April 1793 Jean Antoine Joseph Debry 6 January 1834, Paris
4 April 1793  – 18 April 1793 Jean-François-Bertrand Delmas Disappeared 19 August 1798[Notes 1]
  18 April 1793  – 2 May 1793 Marc David Alba Lasource 31 October 1793, guillotined with the Girondins
  2 May 1793  – 16 May 1793 Jean-Baptiste Boyer-Fonfrède 31 October 1793, guillotined
  16 May 1793  – 30 May 1793 Maximin Isnard 12 March 1825
  30 May 1793  – 13 June 1793 François-René-Auguste Mallarmé 25 July 1835

At the end of May 1793, an uprising of the Parisian sans culottes, the day-laborers and working class, undermined much of the authority of the moderate Girondins.[85] At this point, although Danton and Hérault de Séchelles both served one more term each as Presidents of the Convention, the Girondins had lost control of the Convention: in June and July compromise after compromise changed the course of the revolution from a bourgeois event to a radical, working class event. Price controls were introduced and a minimum wage guaranteed to workers and soldiers. Over the course of the summer, the government became truly revolutionary.[86]

Radical phase edit

After the insurrection, any attempted resistance to revolutionary ideals was crushed. The insurrection of 31 May – 2 June 1793 marked a significant milestone in the history of the French Revolution. The days of 31 May – 2 June (French: journées) resulted in the fall of the Girondin party under pressure of the Parisian sans-culottes, Jacobins of the clubs, and Montagnards in the National Convention. The following men were elected as presidents of the Convention during its transition from its moderate to radical phase.[87]

Portrait Name
(Born–Died)
Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
  Jean-Marie Collot d'Herbois
(1749–1796)
13 June 1793 27 June 1793 14 days The Mountain
  Jacques Alexis Thuriot de la Rosière
(1753–1829)
27 June 1793 11 July 1793 14 days The Mountain
  Andre Jeanbon Saint Andre
(1753–1813)
11 July 1793 25 July 1793 14 days The Mountain
  Georges Jacques Danton
(1759–1794)
25 July 1793 8 August 1793 14 days The Mountain
  Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles
(1759–1794)
8 August 1793 22 August 1793 14 days The Mountain

The following men were elected as presidents of the Convention during its radical phase.[87]

Portrait Name
(Born–Died)
Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
  Maximilien Robespierre
(1758–1794)
22 August 1793 5 September 1793 14 days The Mountain
  Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne
(1756–1819)
5 September 1793 19 September 1793 14 days The Mountain
  Pierre Joseph Cambon
(1756–1820)
19 September 1793 3 October 1793 14 days The Mountain
Louis-Joseph Charlier
(1754–1797)
3 October 1793 22 October 1793 19 days The Mountain
Moïse Antoine Pierre Jean Bayle
(1755–1815)
22 October 1793 6 November 1793 15 days The Mountain
Pierre-Antoine Lalloy
(1749–1846)
6 November 1793 21 November 1793 15 days The Mountain
  Charles-Gilbert Romme
(1750–1795)
21 November 1793 6 December 1793 15 days The Mountain
  Jean-Henri Voulland
(1751–1801)
6 December 1793 21 December 1793 15 days The Mountain
  Georges Auguste Couthon
(1755–1794)
21 December 1793 5 January 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Jacques-Louis David
(1748–1825)
5 January 1794 20 January 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Marc Guillaume Alexis Vadier
(1736–1828)
20 January 1794 4 February 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Joseph-Nicolas Barbeau du Barran
(1761–1816)
4 February 1794 19 February 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Louis Antoine de Saint-Just
(1767–1794)
19 February 1794 6 March 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Philippe Rühl
(1737–1795)
7 March 1794 21 March 1794 14 days The Mountain
  Jean-Lambert Tallien
(1767–1820)
21 March 1794 5 April 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Jean-Baptiste-André Amar
(1755–1816)
5 April 1794 20 April 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Robert Lindet
(1746–1825)
20 April 1794 5 May 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Lazare Carnot
(1753–1823)
5 May 1794 20 May 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Claude-Antoine Prieur-Duvernois
(1763–1832)
20 May 1794 4 June 1794 15 days The Mountain
  Maximilien Robespierre
(1758–1794)
4 June 1794 19 June 1794 15 days The Mountain
Élie Lacoste
(1745–1806)
19 June 1794 5 July 1794 16 days The Mountain
Jean-Antoine Louis
(1742–1796)
5 July 1794 19 July 1794 14 days The Mountain

Reaction edit

On 27 July 1794, the National Convention voted for the arrest of Maximilien Robespierre, Louis Antoine de Saint-Just, and several allies, and they were executed the following day. This ended the most radical phase of the French Revolution.[88][Notes 2]

The following men were presidents of the Convention until its end.[87]

Image Dates Name DOD/Fate
  19 July 1794  – 3 August 1794 Jean-Marie Collot d'Herbois 8 June 1796
  3 August 1794  – 18 August 1794 Philippe Antoine Merlin, dit Merlin de Douai 26 December 1838
  18 August 1794  – 2 September 1794 Antoine Merlin de Thionville 14 September 1833
  2 September 1794  – 22 September 1794 André Antoine Bernard, dit Bernard de Saintes 19 October 1818
  22 September 1794  – 7 October 1794 André Dumont 19 October 1838
  7 October 1794  – 22 October 1794 Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès 8 March 1824
One of the few members of La Marais to be elected President
Authored Napoleon's Civil Code
  22 October 1794  – 6 November 1794 Pierre-Louis Prieur, dit Prieur de la Marne 31 May 1827
  6 November 1794  – 24 November 1794 Louis Legendre 13 December 1797, died of natural causes (dementia)
24 November 1794  – 6 December 1794 Jean-Baptiste Clauzel 2 July 1803
  6 December 1794  – 21 December 1794 Jean-François Reubell 23 November 1807
21 December 1794  – 6 January 1795 Pierre-Louis Bentabole 1797
  6 January 1795  – 20 January 1795 Étienne-François Le Tourneur 4 October 1817
  20 January 1795  – 4 February 1795 Stanislas Joseph François Xavier Rovère died in 1798 in French Guiana
  4 February 1795  – 19 February 1795 Paul Barras 29 January 1829
  19 February 1795  – 6 March 1795 François Louis Bourdon 22 June 1798, after being deported to French Guiana
  6 March 1795  – 24 March 1795 Antoine Claire Thibaudeau 8 March 1854
  24 March 1795  – 5 April 1795 Jean Pelet, also Pelet de la Lozère 26 January 1842
  5 April 1795  – 20 April 1795 François-Antoine de Boissy d'Anglas 1828
One of the few members of La Marais to be elected President
  20 April 1795  – 5 May 1795 Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès 20 June 1836
One of the few members of La Marais to be elected President
  5 May 1795  – 26 May 1795 Théodore Vernier 3 February 1818
26 May 1795  – 4 June 1795 Jean-Baptiste Charles Matthieu 31 October 1833
  4 June 1795  – 19 June 1795 Jean Denis, comte Lanjuinais died in 1828 in Paris
  19 June 1795  – 4 July 1795 Jean-Baptiste Louvet de Couvray 25 August 1797
  4 July 1795  – 19 July 1795 Louis-Gustave Doulcet de Pontécoulant 17 November 1764 – 3 April 1853
  19 July 1795  – 3 August 1795 Louis-Marie de La Révellière-Lépeaux 24 March 1824
  3 August 1795  – 19 August 1795 Pierre Claude François Daunou 20 June 1840
  19 August 1795  – 2 September 1795 Marie-Joseph Chénier 10 January 1811
  2 September 1795  – 23 September 1795 Théophile Berlier 12 September 1844
  23 September 1795  – 8 October 1795 Pierre-Charles-Louis Baudin 1799
8 October 1795  – 26 October 1795 Jean Joseph Victor Génissieu 27 October 1804

Directory edit

The Directory was officially led by a president, as stipulated by Article 141 of the Constitution of the Year III. An entirely ceremonial post, the first president was Jean-François Rewbell, who was chosen by lot on 2 November 1795. The Directors conducted their elections privately, with the presidency rotating every three months.[89] The last President was Louis-Jérôme Gohier.[90]

The leading figure of the Directory was Paul Barras, the only director to serve throughout the Directory.

Political parties

  Centre (Thermidorians)       Right-wing (Clichyens)       Left-wing (Montagnards)       Other (Maraisards)

Directors of the Directory (1 November 1795 – 10 November 1799)
 
Paul Barras
2 November 17959 November 1799
 
Louis-Marie
de la Révellière

2 November 179518 June 1799
(Compelled to resign)
 
Jean-François Rewbell
2 November 179516 May 1799
(Replaced by sortition)
 
Lazare Carnot
2 November 17954 September 1797
(Proscribed and replaced after the Coup of 18 Fructidor)
 
Étienne-François Letourneur
2 November 179520 May 1797
 
François Barthélemy
20 May4 September 1797
(Proscribed and replaced after the Coup of 18 Fructidor)
 
Philippe Antoine Merlin
4 September 179718 June 1799
(Compelled to resign)
 
François de Neufchâteau
4 September 179715 May 1798
(Replaced by sortition)
 
Jean-Baptiste Treilhard
15 May 179817 June 1799
(Election annulled as irregular)
 
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès
16 May9 November 1799
 
Roger Ducos
18 June9 November 1799
 
Jean-François Moulin
18 June10 November 1799
 
Louis-Jérôme Gohier
17 June10 November 1799

After the Coup of 18 Brumaire (9 November 1799), Barras, Ducos, and Sieyès resigned.
Moulin and Gohier, refusing to resign, were arrested by General Moreau.

Consulate edit

Consuls of the Consulate (10 November 1799 – 18 May 1804)
First Consul Second Consul Third Consul
Provisional Consuls
(10 November – 12 December 1799)
 
Napoléon Bonaparte
 
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès
 
Roger Ducos
Consuls
(12 December 1799 – 18 May 1804)
 
Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès
 
Charles-François Lebrun

Napoléon Bonaparte proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in 1804, reigning as Emperor Napoleon I 1804–1814 (First French Empire) and 1815 (Hundred Days).

The monarchy was restored 1814–1815 and 1815–1830 (Bourbon Restoration); again 1830–1848 (July Monarchy).

House of Bonaparte, First French Empire (1804–1814) edit

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Napoleon I   18 May 1804[xlvi] – 2 April 1814[v]
(9 years, 10 months and 15 days)
First Consul of the French Republic following the coup d'etat of 19 November 1799; self-proclaimed Emperor of the French 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821
(aged 51)
Conquered most of Europe in a series of successful wars; remembered as one of the greatest military commanders in history. Deposed in absentia and forced to abdicate, then exiled to the island of Elba[92]
  Napoleon II
(claimant)
4 – 6 April 1814
(2 days; disputed)
Son of Napoleon I 20 March 1811 – 22 July 1832
(aged 21)
Unrecognized by the Coalition and the Senate, only named emperor in Napoleon's will.

House of Bourbon (1814–1815) edit

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Louis XVIII "the Desired"   3 May 1814[xlvii] – 20 March 1815
(1st time; 10 months and 17 days)
Younger brother of Louis XVI; proclaimed king in June 1795. Had his dynasty restored to the throne with the help of other European royal houses, which had dethroned Napoleon 17 November 1755 – 16 September 1824
(aged 68)
Fled France on 21 June 1791, during the Flight to Varennes, and again in March 1815, after the return of Napoleon[93]

House of Bonaparte, Hundred Days (1815) edit

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Napoleon I   20 March – 22 June 1815
(94 days)
Restored as Emperor of the French by the French Army following his escape from the island of Elba 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821
(aged 51)
Abdicated in favour of his son following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Exiled to the island of Saint Helena, where he later died of a stomach illness[92]
  Napoleon II
(claimant)
22 June – 7 July 1815
(15 days; disputed)
Son of Napoleon I 20 March 1811 – 22 July 1832
(aged 21)
Unrecognized by the Coalition; remained his entire "reign" hidden in Austria, with his mother Marie Louise. Died of tuberculosis several years later[94][95]

Bourbon Restoration (1815–1830) edit

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Louis XVIII "the Desired"   8 July 1815 – 16 September 1824
(9 years, 2 months and 8 days)
Younger brother of Louis XVI; restored to the throne. 17 November 1755 – 16 September 1824
(aged 68)
Attempted to rule under a constitutional monarchy. Last French monarch to die while still reigning[93]
  Charles X 16 September 1824[xlviii]– 2 August 1830
(5 years, 10 months and 17 days)
Younger brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII 9 October 1757 – 6 November 1836
(aged 79)
Leader of the Ultra-royalists; attempted to return to the Ancient Regime. Abdicated in favour of his grandson Henry after the July Revolution.[96]
  Louis XIX (?)
(claimant)
2 August 1830
(20 minutes; disputed)
Son of Charles X 6 August 1775 – 3 June 1844
(aged 68)
Allegedly king for 20 minutes;[w] later legitimist pretender to the throne.[99]
  Henry V
(claimant)
2–9 August 1830
(7 days; disputed)
Grandson of Charles X 29 September 1820 – 24 August 1883
(aged 62)
Later legitimist pretender to the throne. Died in exile several years later[100]

House of Bourbon-Orléans, July Monarchy (1830–1848) edit

The Bourbon Restoration came to an end with the July Revolution of 1830 which deposed Charles X and replaced him with Louis Philippe I, a distant cousin with more liberal politics. Charles X's son Louis signed a document renouncing his own right to the throne only after a 20-minute argument with his father. Because he was never crowned he is disputed as a genuine king of France. Louis's nephew Henry was likewise considered by some to be Henry V, but the new regime did not recognise his claim and he never ruled.

Charles X named Louis Philippe as Lieutenant général du royaume, a regent to the young Henry V, and charged him to announce his desire to have his grandson succeed him to the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the French Parliament at the time, the French equivalent at the time of the UK House of Commons. Louis Philippe did not do this, in order to increase his own chances of succession. As a consequence, and because the French parliamentarians were aware of his liberal policies and of his popularity at the time with the French population, they proclaimed Louis Philippe as the new French king, displacing the senior branch of the House of Bourbon.

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Louis Philippe I "the Citizen King"   9 August 1830[xlix]– 24 February 1848
(17 years, 6 months and 15 days)
Sixth-generation descendant of Louis XIII and distant cousin of Charles X; proclaimed king by the Chamber of Deputies after the abdication of Charles X during the July Revolution 6 October 1773 – 26 August 1850
(aged 76)
Styled as King of the French. Formally deposed following the proclamation of the Second Republic. Abdicated in favour of his grandson[101]
  Louis Philippe II
(claimant)
24–26 February 1848
(2 days; disputed)
Grandson of Louis-Philippe 24 August 1838 – 8 September 1894
(aged 56)
Chosen by Louis Philippe I to be his successor, however the National Assembly refused to recognize him as king and proclaimed the Second Republic. Later Orléanist pretender to the throne.[102]

Second Republic (1848–1852) edit

President of the Provisional Government of the Republic edit

Political parties

   Moderate Republicans

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Time in office Political party
  Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure[103]
(1767–1855)
26 February 1848 9 May 1848 73 days Moderate Republicans
1848
Appointed President of the Provisional Government by the National Assembly, during the February Revolution. Resigned in May 1848, making way for the Executive Commission.

President of the Executive Commission edit

Political parties

  Moderate Republicans

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Time in office Political party
  François Arago[104]
(1786–1853)
9 May 1848 24 June 1848 46 days Moderate Republicans
1848
The Executive Commission was appointed by the National Assembly, with François Arago acting as President of the Commission, and other members including Alphonse de Lamartine, Louis-Antoine Garnier-Pagès, Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin and Pierre Marie de Saint-Georges, who acted jointly as head of state. The Commission was removed from power by the National Assembly, during the June Days uprising, and replaced by an executive power under Louis-Eugène Cavaignac.

Chief of the Executive Power edit

Political parties

  Moderate Republicans

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Time in office Political party
  Louis-Eugène Cavaignac[105]
(1802–1857)
28 June 1848 20 December 1848 175 days Moderate Republicans
1848
Granted dictatorial powers by the National Assembly, during the June Days uprising. Following his suppression of the uprising, Cavaignac was appointed Chief of the Executive Power by the National Assembly. He ran in the 1848 French presidential election, but lost to Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, who was elected the first President of the French Republic.

President of the Republic edit

Political parties

   Bonapartist

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office;
Electoral mandates
Time in office Political party
1   Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte[106]
(1808–1873)
20 December 1848 2 December 1852 3 years, 348 days Bonapartist
1848
Nephew of Napoléon I. Elected first President of the French Republic in the 1848 election against Louis-Eugène Cavaignac. He provoked the coup of 1851 and proclaimed himself Emperor in 1852. Henri Georges Boulay de la Meurthe, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte's vice president, was the sole person to hold that office.

Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in 1852, reigning as Emperor Napoleon III 1852–1870 (Second French Empire).

House of Bonaparte, Second Empire (1852–1870) edit

The French Second Republic lasted from 1848 to 1852, when its president, Charles-Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, was declared Emperor of the French under the regnal name of Napoleon III. He would later be overthrown during the events of the Franco-Prussian War, becoming the last monarch to rule France.

Portrait Name Arms Reign Succession Life details
  Napoleon III   2 December 1852[l]– 4 September 1870
(17 years, 9 months and 2 days)
Nephew of Napoleon I; elected as President of the French Republic in 1848, made himself Emperor of the French after a coup d'état 20 April 1808 – 9 January 1873
(aged 64)
Captured by the German army on 2 September 1870; deposed in absentia following the proclamation of the Third Republic.[107]

Third Republic (1870–1940) edit

President of the Government of National Defense edit

Political parties

   Monarchist

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Time in office Political party
  Louis-Jules Trochu[108]
(1815–1896)
14 September 1870 13 February 1871 152 days Moderate Monarchist (Orléanist)
Following the capture of Napoleon III at the Battle of Sedan, the National Assembly proclaimed the establishment of a Government of National Defense, with Louis Jules Trochu as its President. He rallied the French defenses during the Siege of Paris, but the Government was defeated by the nascent German Empire.

Chief of the Executive Power edit

Political parties

  Monarchist

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Time in office Political party
  Adolphe Thiers[109]
(1797–1877)
17 February 1871 30 August 1871 194 days Moderate Monarchist (Orléanist);
Opportunist Republican
Elected Chief of the Executive Power by the National Assembly, following the Siege of Paris, and established a government with a republican majority. After fighting to re-establish state control over the Paris Commune and securing the withdrawal of the German Army from France, he was elected President of the Republic by the National Assembly.

Presidents of the Republic edit

Political parties

   Monarchist
   Opportunist Republican
   Democratic Republican Alliance; Democratic Republican Party; Social and Republican Democratic Party; Democratic Alliance
   Radical-Socialist and Radical Republican Party
   Independent

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Time in office Political party
2   Adolphe Thiers[110]
(1797–1877)
31 August 1871 24 May 1873 1 year, 266 days Moderate Monarchist (Orléanist);
Opportunist Republican
Initially a moderate monarchist, named President of France following the adoption of the Rivet law, establishing provisional republican institutions. He became a supporter of the Third Republic during his term. He resigned in the face of hostility from the National Assembly, largely in favour of a return to the monarchy.
3   Patrice de MacMahon[111]
(1808–1893)
24 May 1873 30 January 1879 5 years, 251 days Monarchist (Legitimist)
A Marshal of France, he was the only monarchist (and only Duke) to serve as President of the Third Republic. He resigned shortly after the republican victory in the January 1879 legislative election, following a previous republican victory in 1877, after his decision to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies. During his term, the Constitutional Laws of 1875 that served as the Constitution of the Third Republic were passed; he therefore became the first President under the constitutional settlement that would last until 1940.
The Government of Jules Armand Dufaure deputized during the interim (30 January 1879).
4   Jules Grévy[112]
(1807–1891)
30 January 1879 2 December 1887 8 years, 306 days Opportunist Republican
The first President of France to complete a full term, he was easily reelected in December 1885. He was nonetheless forced to resign, following an honours scandal in which his son-in-law was implicated.
The Government of Maurice Rouvier deputized during the interim (2–3 December 1887).
5   Sadi Carnot[113]
(1837–1894)
3 December 1887 25 June 1894 6 years, 205 days Opportunist Republican
His term was marked by Boulangist unrest and the Panama scandals, as well as by diplomacy with Russia. Assassinated (stabbed) by Sante Geronimo Caserio a few months before the end of his term, he is interred at the Panthéon.
The Government of Charles Dupuy deputized during the interim (25–27 June 1894).
6   Jean Casimir-Perier[114]
(1847–1907)
27 June 1894 16 January 1895 205 days Opportunist Republican
Casimir-Perier's was the shortest presidential term: he resigned after six months and 20 days.
The Government of Charles Dupuy deputized during the interim (16–17 January 1895).
7   Félix Faure[115]
(1841–1899)
17 January 1895 16 February 1899 4 years, 30 days Opportunist Republican;
Progressive Republican
Pursued colonial expansion and ties with Russia. President during the Dreyfus affair. Four years into his term, he died of apoplexy at the Élysée Palace.
The Government of Charles Dupuy deputized during the interim (16–18 February 1899).
8   Émile Loubet[116]
(1838–1929)
18 February 1899 18 February 1906 7 years, 0 days Democratic Republican Alliance
During his seven-year term, the 1905 law on the Separation of the Churches and the State was adopted. He did not seek reelection at the end of his term.
9   Armand Fallières[117]
(1841–1931)
18 February 1906 18 February 1913 7 years, 0 days Democratic Republican Alliance;
then Democratic Republican Party
President during the Agadir Crisis, when French troops first occupied Morocco. He was a party to the Triple Entente, which he strengthened by diplomacy. Like his predecessor, he did not seek reelection.
10   Raymond Poincaré[118]
(1860–1934)
18 February 1913 18 February 1920 7 years, 0 days Democratic Republican Party;
then Democratic Republican Alliance
President during World War I. He subsequently served as Prime minister, 1922–1924 and 1926–1929.
11   Paul Deschanel[119]
(1855–1922)
18 February 1920 21 September 1920 247 days Democratic Republican Alliance;
then Democratic Republican and Social Party
An intellectual elected to the Académie Française, he overcame the popular Georges Clemenceau, to general surprise, in the January 1920 election. He resigned after eight months due to health problems.
The Government of Alexandre Millerand deputized during the interim (21–23 September 1920).
12   Alexandre Millerand[120]
(1859–1943)
23 September 1920 11 June 1924 3 years, 262 days Independent
An "Independent Socialist" increasingly drawn to the right, he resigned after four years following the victory of the Cartel des Gauches in the 1924 legislative election.
The Government of Frédéric François-Marsal deputized during the interim (11–13 June 1924).
13   Gaston Doumergue[121]
(1863–1937)
13 June 1924 13 June 1931 7 years, 0 days Radical-Socialist and Radical Republican Party
The first Protestant President, he took a firm political stance against Germany and its resurgent nationalism. His seven-year term was marked by ministerial discontinuity.
14   Paul Doumer[122]
(1857–1932)
13 June 1931 7 May 1932 329 days Independent
Elected in the second round of the 1931 election, having defeated Aristide Briand. Assassinated (shot) by the mentally unstable Paul Gorguloff.
The Government of André Tardieu deputized during the interim (7–10 May 1932).
15   Albert Lebrun[123]
(1871–1950)
10 May 1932 11 July 1940
(de facto)
8 years, 32 days Democratic Alliance
Reelected in 1939, his second term was interrupted by the rise to power of Marshal Philippe Pétain.

The office of President of the French Republic did not exist from 1940 until 1947.

French State (1940–1944) edit

Chief of State edit

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Time in office Political party
  Philippe Pétain
(1856–1951)
11 July 1940 19 August 1944 3 years, 351 days
1940
Following the fall of France and the signing of an armistice with Nazi Germany, Petain assumed dictatorial powers and established a collaborationist government. During the liberation of France, Petain's government fled to the Sigmaringen enclave, where they awaited the end of the war.

Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944–1946) edit

Chairmen of the Provisional Government edit

Political parties   Socialist (SFIO)   Centre-right (MRP)

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Time in office Political party
  Charles de Gaulle
(1890–1970)
3 June 1944 26 January 1946 1 year, 237 days Independent
1944
Following the Liberation of France, the Committee of National Liberation evolved into a Provisional Government, with de Gaulle as its Chairman. He resigned abruptly in January 1946, after a failed attempt to centralise executive power.
  Félix Gouin
(1884–1977)
26 January 1946 24 June 1946 149 days French Section of the Workers International
1945
Promoted from President of the National Assembly to Chairman of the Provisional Government after de Gaulle's resignation.
  Georges Bidault
(1899–1983)
24 June 1946 28 November 1946 157 days Popular Republican Movement
1946
Elected as Chairman of the Provisional Government in June 1946, oversaw the passage of the French Constitution of 27 October 1946, then defeated in the subsequent election of November 1946.
  Vincent Auriol
(1884–1966)
28 November 1946 16 December 1946 171 days French Section of the Workers' International
1946
Elected as Chairman of the Provisional Government in November 1946, overseeing an interim parliamentary government before his accession to President of France.
  Léon Blum
(1872–1950)
16 December 1946 16 January 1947 31 days French Section of the Workers' International
1946
Oversaw the final interim government before the accession of Vincent Auriol to President.

Fourth Republic (1946–1958) edit

Presidents edit

Political parties

  Socialist (SFIO)   Centre-right (CNIP)

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office;
Electoral mandates
Time in office Political party
16   Vincent Auriol[124]
(1884–1966)
16 January 1947 16 January 1954 7 years, 0 days French Section of the Workers' International
1947
First President of the Fourth Republic; his term was marked by the First Indochina War.
17   René Coty[125]
(1882–1962)
16 January 1954 8 January 1959 4 years, 357 days National Centre of Independents and Peasants
1953
Presidency marked by the Algerian War; appealed to Charles de Gaulle to resolve the May 1958 crisis. Following the promulgation of the Fifth Republic, he resigned after five years as President of France, giving way to DeGaulle.

Fifth Republic (1958–present) edit

Presidents edit

Political parties:   Centre-left (PS) (2)   Centrist (RE) (1)   Centre-right (CD; RI; PR; UDF) (1)   Gaullist (UNR; UDR) (2)   Neo-Gaullist (RPR; UMP; LR) (2)

Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office;
Electoral mandates
Time in office Political party
18   Charles de Gaulle[126]
(1890–1970)
8 January 1959 28 April 1969 10 years, 110 days Union for the New Republic
(renamed Union of Democrats for the Fifth Republic in 1967)
1958, 1965
Leader of the Free French Forces, 1940–1944. President of the Provisional Government, 1944–1946. Appointed President of the Council by René Coty in May 1958, to resolve the crisis of the Algerian War. Supported by referendum, he adopted a new Constitution of France, thus founding the Fifth Republic. Easily elected to the presidency in the 1958 election by electoral college, he took office the following month; having modified the presidential election procedure in the 1962 referendum, he was reelected by universal suffrage in the 1965 election. Launched the Force de dissuasion in 1961. He signed the Élysée Treaty in 1963, building Franco-German cooperation, a key to European integration. In 1966, he withdrew France from NATO integrated military command and had American military personnel stationed on French soil sent home. Supported Quebec sovereignty. Faced the May 68 civil unrest. Resigned following the failure of the 1969 referendum on regionalisation.
  Alain Poher[127]
Acting
(1909–1996)
28 April 1969 20 June 1969 53 days Democratic Centre
Interim President of France, as President of the Senate. Stood in the 1969 election but was defeated in the second round by Georges Pompidou.
19   Georges Pompidou[128]
(1911–1974)
20 June 1969 2 April 1974 4 years, 286 days Union of Democrats for the Republic
1969
Prime Minister under Charles de Gaulle, 1962–1968. Elected to the presidency in the 1969 election against centrist Alain Poher. Favoured European integration. Supported economic modernisation and industrialisation, most notably through the TGV high-speed rail project. Faced the 1973 oil crisis. Died in office of Waldenström macroglobulinemia, two years before the end of his term.
  Alain Poher[127]
Acting
(1909–1996)
2 April 1974 27 May 1974 55 days Democratic Centre
Interim President of France again, as President of the Senate. Did not stand in the 1974 election.
20   Valéry Giscard d'Estaing[129]
(1926–2020)
27 May 1974 21 May 1981 6 years, 359 days Independent Republicans (renamed Republican Party in 1977)
(within the Union for French Democracy from 1978)
1974
Founder of the Independent Republicans and later the Union for French Democracy in his efforts to unify the centre-right, he served in several Gaullist governments. Narrowly elected in the 1974 election, he instigated numerous reforms, including the lowering of the age of civil majority from 21 to 18 and legalisation of abortion. He soon faced a global economic crisis and rising unemployment. Although the polls initially gave him a lead, he was defeated in the 1981 election by François Mitterrand, partly due to disunion within the right.
21   François Mitterrand[130]
(1916–1996)
21 May 1981 17 May 1995 13 years, 361 days Socialist Party
1981, 1988
Candidate of a united left-wing ticket in the 1965 election, he founded the Socialist Party in 1971. Having narrowly lost in 1974, he was finally elected in 1981. Mitterrand supervised a series of Great Works, the best known of which is the Louvre Pyramid. He instigated the abolition of the death penalty. After the right-wing victory in the 1986 legislative election, he named Jacques Chirac as Prime Minister, thus beginning the first cohabitation. Reelected in the 1988 election against Chirac, he was again forced to cohabit with Édouard Balladur following the 1993 legislative election. He retired in 1995 after the conclusion of his second term. He was the first left-wing President of the Fifth Republic; his presidential tenure was the longest of any French Republic.
22   Jacques Chirac[131]
(1932–2019)
17 May 1995 16 May 2007 11 years, 364 days Rally for the Republic (until 2002)
Union for a Popular Movement (from 2002)
1995, 2002
Prime Minister, 1974–1976; upon resignation, founded the Rally for the Republic. Eliminated in the first round of the 1981 election, he again served as Prime Minister, 1986–1988. Defeated in the 1988 election, he was elected in 1995. He engaged in social reforms to counter "social fracture". In 1997, he dissolved the National Assembly; a left-wing victory in the 1997 legislative election forced him to name Lionel Jospin Prime Minister for a five-year cohabitation. Presidential terms reduced from seven to five years after approval by referendum. In 2002, he was easily reelected against Jean-Marie Le Pen. Sent troops to Afghanistan, but opposed the Iraq War. Declined to seek a third term in 2007 and retired from political life.
23   Nicolas Sarkozy[132]
(b. 1955)
16 May 2007 15 May 2012 4 years, 365 days Union for a Popular Movement
2007
Served in numerous ministerial posts, 1993–1995 and 2002–2007. Easily elected to the leadership of the Union for a Popular Movement in 2004. Elected to the presidency in 2007, defeating Socialist Ségolène Royal. Soon after taking office, he introduced a new fiscal package and other laws to counter illegal immigration and recidivism. President of the Council of the EU in 2008, he defended the Treaty of Lisbon and mediated in the Russo-Georgian War; reintroduced France to NATO integrated military command; President of the G8 and G-20 in 2011. At national level, he had to deal with a financial crisis and its consequences. Following the 2008 constitutional reform, he became the first President of France since Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte to address the Versailles Congress on 22 June 2009. He introduced education and pension reforms. Sent troops to Libya (Operation Harmattan) in 2011. Narrowly defeated in the runoff of the 2012 election.
24   François Hollande[133]
(b. 1954)
15 May 2012 14 May 2017 4 years, 364 days Socialist Party
2012
Served as First Secretary of the Socialist Party, 1997–2008 and President of the General Council of Corrèze, 2008–2012. Elected in 2012, defeating Nicolas Sarkozy. Legalised same-sex marriage and restricted dual mandates. Militarily intervened in Mali (Operation Serval), in the Central African Republic (Operation Sangaris) and in Iraq and Syria (Operation Chammal). Paris suffered Islamic terrorist attacks in January 2015 and November 2015, as well as Nice in July 2016. Hosted the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference. Did not seek reelection in the 2017 election, for which polls suggested his defeat in the first round.
25   Emmanuel Macron[134]
(b. 1977)
14 May 2017 Incumbent
(term expires in May 2027)
6 years, 310 days La République En Marche!
(renamed Renaissance in 2022)
2017, 2022
Served as Élysée Deputy Secretary-General, 2012–2014 and Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs, 2014–2016. Easily defeated Marine Le Pen in the 2017 election in which he ran as a centrist. Youngest President in the history of France. Encountered massive demonstrations, most notably the yellow vests protests, since 2018 over his policy orientations and style of governance. Hosted the 2019 G7 summit. Has faced the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, he was reelected with a reduced majority against Le Pen.

Later pretenders edit

Various pretenders descended from the preceding monarchs have claimed to be the legitimate monarch of France, rejecting the claims of the President of France, and of each other. These groups are:

Timeline edit

509–1795 edit

Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVI of FranceLouis XV of FranceLouis XIV of FranceLouis XIII of FranceHenry IV of FranceHenry III of FranceCharles IX of FranceFrancis II of FranceHenry II of FranceFrancis I of FranceLouis XII of FranceCharles VIII of FranceLouis XI of FranceHenry VI of EnglandCharles VII of FranceCharles VI of FranceCharles V of FranceJohn II of FrancePhilip VI of FranceCharles IV of FrancePhilip V of FranceJohn I of FranceLouis X of FrancePhilip IV of FrancePhilip III of FranceLouis IX of FranceLouis VIII of FrancePhilip II of FranceLouis VII of FranceLouis VI of FrancePhilip I of FranceHenry I of FranceRobert II of FranceHugh CapetLouis V of FranceLothair of FranceLouis IV of FranceRudolph of FranceRobert I of FranceCharles the SimpleOdo of FranceCharles the FatCarloman IILouis III of FranceLouis the StammererCharles the BaldLouis the PiousCharlemagneCarloman IPepin the GreatChilderic IIITheuderic IVChilperic IIDagobert IIIChildebert IIIClovis IVTheuderic IIIClovis IIIChilderic IIChlothar IIIClovis IIDagobert IChlothar IIChilperic ICharibert IChlothar IChildebert IClovis I

1792–Present edit

Emmanuel MacronFrançois HollandeNicolas SarkozyJacques ChiracFrançois MitterrandValéry Giscard d'EstaingGeorges PompidouRené CotyLéon BlumVincent AuriolGeorges BidaultFélix GouinCharles de GaullePhilippe PétainAlbert LebrunPaul DoumerGaston DoumergueAlexandre MillerandPaul DeschanelRaymond PoincaréArmand FallièresÉmile LoubetFélix FaureJean Casimir-PerierSadi Carnot (statesman)Jules GrévyPatrice de MacMahonAdolphe ThiersLouis-Jules TrochuNapoleon III of FranceLouis-Eugène CavaignacFrench Executive Commission (1848)Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'EureLouis Philippe IHenri, Count of ChambordLouis Antoine, Duke of AngoulêmeCharles X of FranceNapoleon IILouis XVIIINapoleonFrench ConsulateFrench DirectoryList of heads of state of France#Reaction: July 1794–1795List of heads of state of France#Radical phase: June 1793 – July 1794List of heads of state of France#Moderate Phase: September 1792 – June 1793Louis XVII of France

See also edit

Notes, citations and sources edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ From 9 Apr 1793 to 18 Apr 1793 the functions of president were exercised by vice-president Jacques-Alexis Thuriot de la Rosière. He was elected president in his own right for the fortnight 27 June 1793  – 11 July 1793
  2. ^ The name Thermidorian refers to 9 Thermidor Year II (27 July 1794), the date according to the French Revolutionary Calendar when Robespierre and other radical revolutionaries came under concerted attack in the National Convention. Thermidorian Reaction also refers to the remaining period until the National Convention was superseded by the Directory; this is also sometimes called the era of the Thermidorian Convention. Prominent figures of Thermidor include Paul Barras, Jean-Lambert Tallien, and Joseph Fouché. Neely, pp. 225–227.
  1. ^ Louis the Pious and Charlemagne are both enumerated as "Louis I" and "Charles I" in the lists of French and German monarchs.
  2. ^ Older scholars give his birth as 15 May,[2] the ides of May. However, ancient sources record his birth as 13 June, the ides of June.[3]
  3. ^ Not to be confused with Louis II the German, son of Louis the Pious and king of East Francia (Germany). Both French and German monarchs saw themselves as the successors of Charlemagne, hence why many rulers share the same regnal name.
  4. ^ Scholars give his death as either 3,[8] 4,[9] or 10 August,[10] but ancient sources clearly indicates 5 August.[11]
  5. ^ Some modern sources give his death as "12 December", but this is a mistake.[13][14][15]
  6. ^ Charles the Fat was initially king of East Francia (Germany) and Holy Roman Emperor. Given that he was the third emperor with that name, he is also known as Charles III. He must not to be confused with Charles the Simple, who is also enumerated as Charles III. This discrepancy originates from the regnal number adopted by Charles V, the first French king to assume one.[17]
  7. ^ This is the most accepted and cited date, although it is not entirely confirmed.[20][19]
  8. ^ In older sources his birth was dated to 832, but nowadays 839 is the accepted date.[21]
  9. ^ Odo's death is universally given as 1 January, as given by a late 13th century chronicle,[24] but the earliest source on the matter, from the early 11th century, records his death as 3 January.[25] Another source, from the 13th century, records his death as 2 January.[26]
  10. ^ a b See main entry for references.
  11. ^ Some scholars give his death as 21 May, but contemporary sources give 22 May.[34]
  12. ^ "Capet" (latin: Cappetus) was not actually a name, but a nickname adopted by later historians. It probably derived from chappe, an ecclesiastical mantle wore at the Abbey of Saint Martin of Tours.[36]
  13. ^ Hugh was also descendant of Charlemagne's sons Louis the Pious and Pepin of Italy through his mother and paternal grandmother, respectively, and was also a nephew of Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor.[38]
  14. ^ a b Because neither Hugh nor Philip were sole or senior king in their own lifetimes, they are not traditionally listed as kings of France and are not given ordinals.
  15. ^ He lived from 15 to 19 November according to the continuator of Guillaume de Nangis.[53] The Chronique Parisienne Anonyme de 1316 à 1339 gives 13 and 18 November.[54] Modern sources often give his lifespan as 15–20 November.[55]
  16. ^ Humphreys, p. 16 gives 6 January, the same date of Philip IV's coronation. This is a confusion.[56]
  17. ^ Sources give his birth date as 6, 16, 20 or 26 April.
  18. ^ This is the date in which the last English holdout was expelled by the French, with the exception of Calais.
  19. ^ Henry III was elected on 5 May 1573.[72] He was crowned on 21 February 1574,[73] but he was declared deposed soon after, on 12 May.[74]
  20. ^ Lower Navarre was integrated into France during his reign.
  21. ^ Louis XVI's powers as king became obsolete following the March on Versailles on 5 October 1789, after which he became a hostage of the revolutionary forces.
  22. ^ The Sénat proclaimed the deposition in absentia of Napoleon on 2 April, which was followed by the Corps législatif on 3 April. Napoleon wrote an act of abdication on 4 April renouncing the throne in favour of his son. However, this was not accepted by the Coalition, so he wrote an unconditional abdication on 6 April renouncing his rights and that of his family.[91]
  23. ^ Although claimed as the shortest reigning monarch by the Guinness World Records,[97] this claim appears to be unsustained.[98] The exact circumstances of his "abdication" are unknown, as it was announced in a document firmed by both Charles X and Louis, who is only called Dauphin. He is said to have been "king" between his father's signature and his own, as he (allegedly) initially refused to sign the document.

Coronation dates edit

  1. ^ Charles II was crowned emperor on 25 December 875. For later Frankish and German emperors, see Holy Roman Emperor.
  2. ^ Louis II was crowned on 8 December 877.[5]
  3. ^ Louis III and Carloman II were crowned on September 879.[7]
  4. ^ Louis III and Carloman II were crowned on September 879.[7]
  5. ^ Charles the Fat was most likely crowned on 20 May 885.[18] He was already king of East Francia since 28 August 876. He was also crowned emperor on 12 February 881.[19]
  6. ^ Odo was crowned on 29 February 888 and then again on 13 November.[23]
  7. ^ Charles III was crowned on 28 January 893, in opposition to Odo.[j]
  8. ^ Robert I was crowned on 30 June 922.[29]
  9. ^ Rudolph was crowned on 13 July 923.[j]
  10. ^ Louis IV was crowned on 19 June 936, following a brief interregnum after the death of Rudolph.
  11. ^ Lothair was crowned on 12 November 954.
  12. ^ Louis V was crowned on 8 June 979.
  13. ^ Hugh was elected and crowned king on 1 June 987, in Noyon. He was crowned again on 3 July in Paris by the archbishop of Reims. The latter date is usually regarded as the "official" start of the Capetian dynasty.[37]
  14. ^ Robert II was crowned on 30 December 987.[37]
  15. ^ Henry I was crowned on 14 May 1027.
  16. ^ Philip I was crowned on 23 May 1059.
  17. ^ Louis VI was crowned on 3 August 1108.
  18. ^ Louis VII was crowned as a child on 25 October 1131, and again on 25 December 1137 alongside Eleanor of Aquitaine.
  19. ^ Philip II was crowned on 1 November 1179.
  20. ^ Louis VIII was crowned on 6 August 1223.
  21. ^ Louis IX was crowned on 29 November 1226.
  22. ^ Philip III was crowned on 30 August 1271.
  23. ^ Philip IV was crowned on 6 January 1286.
  24. ^ Louis X was crowned on 24 August 1315.
  25. ^ Philip V was crowned on 9 January 1317.[p]
  26. ^ Charles IV was crowned on 21 February 1322.
  27. ^ Philip VI was crowned on 29 May 1328.
  28. ^ John II was crowned on 26 September 1350.
  29. ^ Charles V was crowned on 19 May 1364.
  30. ^ Charles VI was crowned on 4 November 1380.
  31. ^ Henry (II) was crowned on 16 December 1431, at Notre-Dame de Paris.
  32. ^ Charles VII was crowned on 17 July 1429.
  33. ^ Louis XI was crowned on 15 August 1461.
  34. ^ Charles VIII was crowned on 30 May 1484.
  35. ^ Louis XII was crowned on 27 May 1498.
  36. ^ Francis I was crowned on 25 January 1515.
  37. ^ Henry II was crowned on 26 July 1547.
  38. ^ Francis II was crowned on 18 September 1559.
  39. ^ Charles IX was crowned on 15 May 1561.
  40. ^ Henry III was crowned on 13 February 1575.
  41. ^ Henry IV was crowned on 27 February 1594.
  42. ^ Louis XIII was crowned on 17 October 1610.
  43. ^ Louis XIV was crowned on 7 June 1654.
  44. ^ Louis XV was crowned on 25 October 1722.
  45. ^ Louis XVI was crowned on 11 June 1775.
  46. ^ Napoleon I was crowned on 2 December 1804.
  47. ^ Louis XVIII decided not to have a coronation.
  48. ^ Charles X was crowned on 29 May 1825, an unsuccessful attempt to revive the old monarchical traditions.
  49. ^ Louis Philippe I decided not to have a coronation.
  50. ^ A coronation ceremony for Napoleon III was planned, but never executed.

References edit

  1. ^ Babcock, Philip (1993). Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged. MA, USA: Merriam-Webster. p. 341.
  2. ^ McCarty, p. 328; Peignot, p. lv; de Wailly, p. 10.
  3. ^ Annales S. Benigni Divionensis 824. MGH V, 39.
  4. ^ Peignot, p. lv; de Wailly, p. 10; Thoison, p. 189; McCarty, p. 328; EB, Charles II.
  5. ^ Jackson 1995, Vol 1, pp. 110–123.
  6. ^ Peignot, p. lv; de Wailly, p. 10; Thoison, p. 189; McCarty, p. 328; EB, Louis II.
  7. ^ a b McKitterick 1995, p. 137.
  8. ^ Thoison, p. 189; de Wailly, p. 10.
  9. ^ Peignot, p. lviii.
  10. ^ McCarty, p. 327.
  11. ^ Annales Vedastini 882. "Nonis Augusti"
  12. ^ Peignot, p. lviii; Thoison, p. 189; McCarty, p. 328; Dutton 1994, p. 227; EB, Louis III.
  13. ^ Annales Vedastini. 884. "...he survived seven more days, and died in the same place... in December, about 18 years of age."
  14. ^ Obituaires de la province de Sens I, p. 351. "VIII id. [6 December]."
  15. ^ Annales S. Benigni Divionensis 884. "Non. Decemb. [5 December]".
  16. ^ Peignot, p. lviii; Thoison, p. 189; Dutton 1994, p. 227; EB, Carloman.
  17. ^ Brunel 2007, p. 79.
  18. ^ MacLean 2003, p. 126.
  19. ^ a b Schieffer, Theodor (1977), "Karl III", Neue Deutsche Biographie (in German), vol. 11, pp. 181–184
  20. ^ MacLean 2003, p. 194.
  21. ^ MacLean 2003, p. 84.
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  23. ^ Jackson 1995, Vol 1, pp. 133–138.
  24. ^ Annales S. Benigni Divionensis 899. MGH V, 40.
  25. ^ Annales Prumienses 898. MGH XV(2), 1292.
  26. ^ Obituaires de la province de Sens I, p. 343.
  27. ^ Peignot, p. lix; de Wailly, p. 10; McCarty, p. 329; EB, Eudes.
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  64. ^ Peignot, p. 123; Humphreys, p. 23; EB, Frances I.
  65. ^ Peignot, p. 136; Humphreys, p. 25; EB, Louis XI.
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  68. ^ Peignot, p. 157; Humphreys, p. 30; Knecht 2007, p. 112; EB, Francis I.
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