Early Kings of the Franks (509–613)

Clovis I united all the Frankish petty kingdoms as well as most of Roman Gaul under his rule, conquering the Domain of Soissons of the Roman general Syagrius as well as the Visigothic Kingdom of Toulouse (Aquitaine). He took his seat at Paris, which along with Soissons, Reims, Metz, and Orléans became the chief residences. Upon his death, his four sons – and later his grandsons – split the kingdom among them. Every son received a part of the original Frankish territory and also a part of the newly acquired Aquitaine.^[1]

•   Lines of Theuderic I and Sigibert I (Kings at Reims/Metz (Austrasia) and later in Burgundy)
•   Chlodomer and Guntram (Kings at Orleans and Burgundy)
•   Childebert I and Charibert I (Kings at Paris)
•   Lines of Clothar I and Chilperic I (Kings at Soissons)

Name Reign	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s) Issue	Death	Notes
Clovis I 509 – 27 November 511		c. 466 Tournai Son of Childeric I and Basina of Thuringia	1. unknown wife: 1 son 2. Clotilde, 493: 4 children	27 November 511 Aged 44/45 Paris	King of the Salian Franks since 481; united all Franks under his rule by 509
Theuderic I[1][2] 27 November 511 – Early 534		c. 487 Paris Son of Clovis I and an earlier wife: Evochildis of Cologne	1. Suavegotha, 510s: childless 2. Several concubines: at least 2 sons	Early 534 Aged 46/47	Resided at Reims
Chlodomer[1] 27 November 511 – 524		c. 495 Reims Son of Clovis I and Clotilde	Guntheuc, 510s: 3 sons	524 Aged 28/29 Vézeronce	Resided in Orleans, conquered Burgundy
Childebert I[1] 27 November 511 – 13 December 558		c. 496 Reims Son of Clovis I and Clotilde	Ultragotha, 510s: 2 daughters	13 December 558 Aged 61/62 Paris	Resided in Paris
Chlothar I[1] 27 November 511 – 29 November 561		c. 497 Paris Son of Clovis I and Clotilde	1. Guntheuc, 524: childless 2. Radegund, 538: childless 3. Ingund, 532: 4 children 4. Aregund, 536: 1 son 5. Chunsina: 1 son	29 November 561 Aged 63/64 Compiègne	Resided in Soissons Reunited the kingdom in 558
Theudebert I[1] Early 534 – c. 548		c. 503 Metz Son of Theuderic I and a concubine (prob.)	1. Deuteria, 534: 1 son 2. Wisigard, 540: childless 3. Unknown wife, 540s: 1 son	c. 548 Aged 44/45	Resided at Reims
Theudebald[1] c. 548 – c. 555		c. 535 Son of Theudebert I and Deuteria	Waldrada, 540s: Childless	c. 555 Aged 19/20	Resided at Reims
Charibert I[1] 29 November 561 – December 567		c. 517 Paris Son of Chlothar I and Ingund	Ingoberga, 537: 4 children	December 567 Aged 49/50 Paris	Resided at Paris
Guntram[1] 29 November 561 – 28 March 592		c. 534 Soissons Son of Chlothar I and Ingund	1. Veneranda: 1 son 2. Marcatrude: 1 son 3. Austregilde: 2 sons	28 March 592 Aged 59/60 Chalon-sur-Saône	Resided at Orleans and Chalon-sur-Saône, ruled Burgundy Adopted Childebert II
Sigebert I[1] 29 November 561 – c. 575		c. 535 Son of Chlothar I and Ingund	Brunhilda 567 3 children	c. 575 Aged 39/40 Vitry-en-Artois	Resided at Reims and Metz
Chilperic I[1] 29 November 561 – September 584		c. 539 Paris Son of Chlothar I and Aregund	1. Audovera, 540s: 5 children 2. Galswintha, 567: Childless 2. Fredegund, 568: 7 children	September 584 Aged 44/45 Chelles	Resided at Soissons
Childebert II c. 575 – March 595		c. 570 Son of Sigebert I and Brunhilda	Faileuba: 4 children	March 595 Aged 24/25	Resided at Metz His mother Brunhilda acted as regent in his early years. Inherited Burgundy from Guntram
Chlothar II[1] September 584 – 18 October 629		c. 584 Paris Son of Chilperic I and Fredegund	1. Haldetrude: 1 son 2. Bertrude, 613: childless 3. Sichilde, 618: 1 son	18 October 629 Aged 44/45	Resided at Soissons His mother Fredegunde acted as regent in his early years. Reunited the kingdom.
Theudebert II March 595 – 612		586 Son of Childebert II and Faileuba	1. Bilichilde, 608: 2 children 2. Teodechilde, 610 1 son.	612 Aged 25/26	First son of Childebert II Resided at Metz His grandmother Brunhilda acted as regent in his early years.
Theuderic II 612 – 613		587 Soissons Son of Childebert II and Faileuba	Several paramours: 4 sons	613 Aged 25/26 Metz	Second son of Childebert II Ruled Burgundy (with his grandmother Brunhilda), conquered Austrasia
Sigebert II 613 – Late 613		601 Son of Theuderic II and Ermenberge	Unmarried	613 Aged 11/12	Illegitimate son of Theuderic II Ruled Burgundy and Austrasia with his great-grandmother Brunhilda as regent.

Kings in Neustria and Burgundy (613–679)

Chlothar II defeated Brunhilda and her great-grandson, Sigibert II, reunifying the kingdom. By that time the realms of Neustria, Burgundy and Austrasia had developed regional identities. In order to appease the local nobility, Austrasia was usually ruled by separate king, often a son or brother of the king ruling in Neustria and Burgundy. A similar arrangement for Aquitaine was short-lived.

Name Reign	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s) Issue	Death	Notes
Chlothar II[1] September 584 – 18 October 629		c. 584 Paris Son of Chilperic I and Fredegund	1. Haldetrude: 1 son 2. Bertrude, 613: childless 3. Sichilde, 618: 1 son	18 October 629 Aged 44/45	Reunited the Kingdom
Dagobert I 18 October 629 – 19 January 639		603[3] Paris Son of Chlothar II and Haldetrude	1. Gormatrude: childless 2. Nanthild, pre-629: 1 son 3. Wulfegundis; childless 4. Berchildis: childless	19 January 639 Aged 33/34 Épinay-sur-Seine	Son of Chlothar II King in Austrasia 623-634
Charibert II October 629 – 8 April 632		607/617 Paris Son of Chlothar II and Sichilde	Gisela, daughter of Amand, Ruler of the Gascons 629 Chilperic	8 April 632 Aged 15/25 Blaye, Gironde	Son of Chlothar II Ruled Aquitaine
Clovis II 19 January 639 – 27 November 657		633[4] Paris Son of Dagobert I and Nanthild	Balthild, 640s: 3 sons	27 November 657 Aged 23/24	Son of Dagobert I
Chlothar III 27 November 657 – Spring 673		652[5] Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild	Unknown paramour: possibly 1 son	Spring 673 Aged 20/21	First son of Clovis II
Theuderic III Spring 673		654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild	1. Chrothildis, pre-675: 2 sons 2. Amalberga of Maubeuge, 674: 1 daughter 3. Several concubines: At least 3 children	12 April 691 Aged 36/37	Third son of Clovis II
Clovis (III) September 675 – June 676		c. 670 Son of Chlothar III and unknown paramour	Unmarried	c. 676 Aged 5/6	Illegitimate son of Chlothar III King in Austrasia also claimed Neustria and Burgundy
Childeric II Spring 673 – Autumn 675		653[5] Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild	Bilichild, 662: 2 sons	Autumn 675 Aged 21/22	Second son of Clovis II King in Austrasia 662-675
Theuderic III Autumn 675 – 12 April 691		654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild	1. Chrothildis, pre-675: 2 sons 2. Amalberga of Maubeuge, 674: 1 daughter 3. Several concubines: At least 3 children	12 April 691 Aged 36/37	Third son of Clovis II Also king in Austrasia after 679

Kings in Austrasia (623–679)

Chlothar II had reunified the kingdom in 613. By that time the realms of Neustria, Burgundy and Austrasia had developed regional identities. In order to appease the local nobility, Clothar made his young son, Dagobert I, king of Austrasia. Austrasia was usually ruled by a separate king, often a son or brother of the king ruling in Neustria and Burgundy, for the following decades.

Name Reign	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s) Issue	Death	Notes
Dagobert I 623 – 634		605 Paris Son of Chlothar II and Haldetrude	1. Gormatrude: childless 2. Nanthild, pre-629: 1 son 3. Wulfegundis; childless 4. Berchildis: childless	19 January 639 Aged 34/35 Épinay-sur-Seine	Son of Chlothar II After 629 also King in Neustria and Burgundy
Sigebert III 634 – 1 February 656		630 Son of Dagobert I and Ragnertrude (concubine)	Chimnechild of Burgundy 651 2 children	1 February 656 Aged 25/26	Son of Dagobert I
Childebert The Adopted 1 February 656 – 661		640s Son of Grimoald and Itta of Metz	Unmarried	661 Aged 20s	Adoptive son of Sigebert III
Chlothar III 661 – 662		649 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild	Unknown paramour: possibly 1 son	Spring 673 Aged 23/24	First son of Clovis II Also King in Neustria and Burgundy
Childeric II 662 – Autumn 675		654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild	Bilichild, 662: 2 sons	Winter 691 Aged 21/22	Second son of Clovis II After 673 also King in Neustria and Burgundy
Clovis (III) September 675 – June 676		c. 670 Son of Chlothar III and unknown paramour	Unmarried	c. 676 Aged 5/6	Illegitimate son of Chlothar III Claimed rule also in Neustria and Burgundy
Dagobert II c. 676 – 23 December 679		c. 650 Son of Sigebert III and Chimnechild of Burgundy	Unknown woman	23 December 679 Aged 28/29 Stenay	Son of Sigebert III

Later Kings of the Franks (679–751)

Theuderic III was recognized as king of all the Franks in 679. From then on, the kingdom of the Franks can be treated as a unit again for all but a very brief period of civil war. This is the period of the roi fainéant, "do-nothing kings" who were increasingly overshadowed by their mayors of the palace.

Name Reign	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s) Issue	Death	Notes
Theuderic III Autumn 675 – 12 April 691		654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild	1. Chrothildis, pre-675: 2 sons 2. Amalberga of Maubeuge, 674: 1 daughter 3. Several concubines: At least 3 children	12 April 691 Aged 36/37	Recognized king of all Franks after 23 December 679
Clovis IV 12 April 691 – 695		c. 677 Son of Theuderic III and Chrothildis	Unmarried	695 Aged 17/18	First son of Theuderic III
Childebert III The Just 695 – 23 April 711		c. 678 Son of Theuderic III and Chrothildis	1. Ermenchild: 1 son 2. Unknown paramour: 1 son	23 April 711 Aged 32/33	Second son of Theuderic III
Dagobert III 23 April 711 – 31 December 715		c. 699 Son of Childebert III and Ermenchild	1. Unknown wife: 1 son 2. Unknown paramour: 1 son	31 December 715 Aged 16	Second son of Childebert III
Chilperic II Daniel 31 December 715 – 13 February 721		c. 672 Son of Childeric II and Bilichild	Unknown woman: 1 son	13 February 721 Aged 48/49 Attigny, Ardennes	Second son of Childeric II First cousin of Dagobert III
Theuderic IV 13 February 721 – 16 March/30 April 737		c. 712 Son of Dagobert III and unknown woman	Unknown woman: 1 son	16 March/30 April 737 Aged 24/25	Son of Dagobert III
Interregnum (737–741) – Charles Martel reigned as prince
Childeric III 741 – November 751		c. 717 Son of Chilperic II and unknown woman	Unknown woman: 1 son	754 Aged 36/37	Son of either Chilperic II or Theuderic IV

House of Capet (987–1328)

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

Portrait	Name	Arms	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Hugh "Capet" Hugues Capet[lower-alpha 12]		1 June 987[lower-roman 13] – 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[lower-alpha 13]	c. 940 – 24 October 996 (aged approx. 55) Duke of the Franks since 956. Died of natural causes.[44]
	Robert II "the Pious"		24 October 996[lower-roman 14] – 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[45]
	Hughes (junior king)[lower-alpha 14]		19 June 1017 – 17 September 1025 (under Robert II)	Son of Robert II	c. 1007 – 17 September 1025 (aged approx. 18)[46]
	Henry I Henri		20 July 1031[lower-roman 15] – 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[47]
	Philip I "the Amorous" Philippe		4 August 1060[lower-roman 16] – 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[48]
	Louis VI "the Fat"		29 July 1108[lower-roman 17] – 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[49]
	Philippe (junior king)[lower-alpha 14]		14 April 1129 – 13 October 1131 (under Louis VI)	Son of Louis VI	29 August 1116 – 13 October 1131 (aged 15)[50]
	Louis VII "the Young"		1 August 1137[lower-roman 18] – 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[51]
	Philip II "Augustus" Philippe Auguste		18 September 1180[lower-roman 19]– 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"[52]
	Louis VIII "the Lion"		14 July 1223[lower-roman 20]– 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[53]
	Louis IX "the Saint"		8 November 1226[lower-roman 21]– 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[54]
	Philip III "the Bold" Philippe		25 August 1270[lower-roman 22]– 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[55]
	Philip IV "the Fair" Philippe		5 October 1285[lower-roman 23] – 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 to helped reduce the influence of feudal lords[56]
	Louis X "the Quarreller"		29 November 1314[lower-roman 24]– 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[57]
	John I "the Posthumous" Jean		15–20 November 1316 (5 days)	Posthumous son of Louis X	King for the five days he lived; youngest and shortest undisputed monarch in French history[58][lower-alpha 15]
	Philip V "the Tall" Philippe		20 November 1316[lower-roman 25]– 3 January 1322 (5 years, 1 month and 14 days)	Son of Philip IV and uncle of John I	1294 – 3 January 1322 (aged 28) King of Navarre as Philip II. Died without a male heir[60]
	Charles IV "the Fair"		3 January 1322[lower-roman 26]– 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[61]

House of Valois (1328–1589)

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, did enjoy 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 would rule 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[lower-roman 27] – 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.[62]
	John II "the Good" Jean		22 August 1350[lower-roman 28] – 8 April 1364 (13 years, 7 months and 17 days)	Son of Philip VI	April 1319[lower-alpha 17] – 8 April 1364 (aged 45) Captured by the English at the Battle of Poitiers (1356); forced to sign a series of humiliating treaties[63]
	Charles V "the Wise"		8 April 1364[lower-roman 29]– 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[64]
	Charles VI "the Mad" "the Beloved"		16 Sept 1380[lower-roman 30]– 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[65]
	Henry VI of England (claimant)		21 October 1422[lower-roman 31]– 19 October 1453[lower-alpha 18] (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[66]
	Charles VII "the Victorious" "the Well-Served"		21 October 1422[lower-roman 32] – 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[67]
	Louis XI "the Prudent" "the Universal Spider"		22 July 1461[lower-roman 33] – 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[68]
	Charles VIII "the Affable"		30 August 1483[lower-roman 34] – 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[69]

House of Valois-Orléans (1498–1515)

Portrait	Name	Arms	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Louis XII "Father of the People"		7 April 1498[lower-roman 35] – 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[70]

House of Valois-Angoulême (1515–1589)

Portrait	Name	Arms	Reign	Succession	Life details
	Francis I "the Father of Letters" François		1 January 1515[lower-roman 36] – 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[71]
	Henry II Henri		31 March 1547[lower-roman 37] – 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[72]
	Francis II François		10 July 1559[lower-roman 38] – 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[73]
	Charles IX		5 December 1560[lower-roman 39] – 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[74]
	Henry III Henri		30 May 1574[lower-roman 40] – 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.[lower-alpha 19] He reigned through the devastating Wars of Religion, which eventually led to his own assassination[78]

House of Bourbon (1589–1792)

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 would be 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[79]
	Henry IV "the Great" "the Good King" Henri		2 August 1589[lower-roman 41] – 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.[80]
	Louis XIII "the Just"		14 May 1610[lower-roman 42] – 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).[lower-alpha 20] Died of natural causes.[81]
	Louis XIV "the Great" "the Sun King"		14 May 1643[lower-roman 43] – 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[82]
	Louis XV "the Beloved"		1 September 1715[lower-roman 44] – 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[83]
	Louis XVI		10 May 1774[lower-roman 45] – 21 September 1792[lower-alpha 21] (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[84]
	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[85]

National Convention

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

See also: Girondins and The Plain

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.^[86]

The following men were elected for two-week terms as presidents, or executives, of the Convention.^[87]

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 Chapelieres	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.^[88] 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.^[89]

Radical phase

See also: Insurrection of 31 May – 2 June 1793 and Reign of Terror

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.^[90]

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.^[90]

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

See also: The Mountain and Thermidorian Reaction

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.^{[91][Notes 2]}

The following men were presidents of the Convention until its end.^[90]

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

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.^[92] The last President was Louis-Jérôme Gohier.^[93]

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 1795 – 9 November 1799		Louis-Marie de la Révellière 2 November 1795 – 18 June 1799 (Compelled to resign)		Jean-François Rewbell 2 November 1795 – 16 May 1799 (Replaced by sortition)		Lazare Carnot 2 November 1795 – 4 September 1797 (Proscribed and replaced after the Coup of 18 Fructidor)		Étienne-François Letourneur 2 November 1795 – 20 May 1797
									François Barthélemy 20 May – 4 September 1797 (Proscribed and replaced after the Coup of 18 Fructidor)
							Philippe Antoine Merlin 4 September 1797 – 18 June 1799 (Compelled to resign)		François de Neufchâteau 4 September 1797 – 15 May 1798 (Replaced by sortition)
									Jean-Baptiste Treilhard 15 May 1798 – 17 June 1799 (Election annulled as irregular)
					Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès 16 May – 9 November 1799
			Roger Ducos 18 June – 9 November 1799				Jean-François Moulin 18 June – 10 November 1799		Louis-Jérôme Gohier 17 June – 10 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

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).

President of the Provisional Government of the Republic

Political parties

   Moderate Republicans

Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Time in office	Political party
	Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure[106] (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

Political parties

  Moderate Republicans

Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Time in office	Political party
	François Arago[107] (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

Political parties

  Moderate Republicans

Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Time in office	Political party
	Louis-Eugène Cavaignac[108] (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

Political parties

   Bonapartist

Nº	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office; Electoral mandates		Time in office	Political party
1		Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte[109] (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).

President of the Government of National Defense

Political parties

   Monarchist

Nº	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Time in office	Political party
—		Louis-Jules Trochu[111] (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

Political parties

  Monarchist

Nº	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Time in office	Political party
—		Adolphe Thiers[112] (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 Imperial German Army from France, he was elected President of the Republic by the National Assembly.

Presidents of the Republic

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

Nº	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Time in office	Political party
2		Adolphe Thiers[113] (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[114] (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[115] (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[116] (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[117] (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[118] (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[119] (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; only four Presidents of the Council succeeded to the Hôtel Matignon. He did not seek reelection at the end of his term.
9		Armand Fallières[120] (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[121] (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 President of the Council, 1922–1924 and 1926–1929.
11		Paul Deschanel[122] (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[123] (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[124] (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[125] (1857–1932)	13 June 1931	7 May 1932†	329 days	Independent
			Elected in the second round of the 1931 election, having displaced the pacifist 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[126] (1871–1950)	10 May 1932	11 July 1940 (de facto)	8 years, 32 days	Democratic Alliance
			Reelected in 1939, his second term was interrupted de facto by the rise to power of Marshal Philippe Pétain.

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

Chief of State

Nº	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.

Chairmen of the Provisional Government

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

Nº	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.

Presidents

Political parties

  Socialist (SFIO)   Centre-right (CNIP)

Nº	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office; Electoral mandates		Time in office	Political party
16		Vincent Auriol[127] (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[128] (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 De Gaulle.

Presidents

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)

Nº	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office; Electoral mandates		Time in office	Political party
18		Charles de Gaulle[129] (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[130] 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[131] (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[130] 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[132] (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[133] (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[134] (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[135] (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[136] (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[137] (b. 1977)	14 May 2017	Incumbent (term expires May 2027)	6 years, 249 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 in a rematch.

509–1795

1792–Present

Notes

Coronation dates

References