History of France in Timeline

France, officially the French Republic, is primarily in Western Europe with overseas regions globally, granting it a large economic zone. It borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain. Metropolitan France stretches from the Rhine to the Atlantic and from the Mediterranean to the English Channel and North Sea. It comprises eighteen regions, five overseas, covering 632,702 km2 with a population exceeding 68.6 million. A semi-presidential republic, its capital and largest city is Paris, a cultural and economic hub.

1900: Paris hosted the second Games

Paris hosted the second Olympic Games in 1900.

1904: Entente Cordiale with the United Kingdom

Since 1904, France has maintained an "Entente cordiale" with the United Kingdom, strengthening links, especially militarily.

1905: Law on the Separation of the Churches and the State

In 1905 France passed the 1905 law on the Separation of the Churches and the State, which established the aforementioned principle of laïcité.

1905: State Secularism Established

In 1905, state secularism was officially established in France.

August 1914: World War I Start

In August 1914, at the start of World War I, France was invaded by Germany and defended by Great Britain.

1919: Trois mouvements perpétuels piano suite

In 1919, Francis Poulenc released his best-known works are his piano suite Trois mouvements perpétuels.

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1921: Immigration to France

Between 1921 and 1935 alone, about 1.1 million net immigrants came to France.

1923: Les biches ballet

In 1923, Francis Poulenc released his best-known works are his ballet Les biches.

1923: France famous for 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car endurance race

Since 1923, France is famous for its 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car endurance race.

1924: Paris hosted Summer Olympics and France introduced Deaflympics

In 1924, Paris hosted the Summer Olympics and France introduced Olympics for deaf people (Deaflympics).

1928: Concert champêtre

In 1928, Francis Poulenc released his best-known works are the Concert champêtre for harpsichord and orchestra.

1935: Immigration to France

Between 1921 and 1935 alone, about 1.1 million net immigrants came to France.

1938: France hosted FIFA World Cup

In 1938, France hosted the FIFA World Cup.

1940: France Surrenders and is Occupied

In 1940, France surrendered to Nazi Germany and was subsequently occupied.

1940: France Invaded by Nazi Germany

In 1940, France was invaded and quickly defeated by Nazi Germany, leading to its division and the establishment of the Vichy government.

1942: French Citizens Deported

From 1942 to 1944, approximately 160,000 French citizens, including around 75,000 Jews, were deported to death and concentration camps.

June 1944: Allies Invade Normandy

On June 6, 1944, the Allies invaded Normandy, leading to the restoration of French sovereignty.

1944: France is Liberated

In 1944, France was liberated, leading to the establishment of the short-lived Fourth Republic.

1946: Fourth Republic

In 1946, a new constitution in France resulted in the Fourth Republic.

1947: Creation of the Rally of the French People

In 1947, the Gaullist Party changed its name to the Rally of the French People.

1954: Defeat in French Indochina

In 1954, France was defeated by the Viet Minh in its attempt to regain control of French Indochina.

1957: Dialogues des Carmélites opera

In 1957, Francis Poulenc released his best-known works are the opera Dialogues des Carmélites.

May 1958: May 1958 Crisis

During the May 1958 crisis, the weak Fourth Republic gave way to the Fifth Republic.

1958: French Constitution prohibits data collection on ethnicity

Beginning with the French Revolution and further codified in the French Constitution of 1958, the government is prohibited from collecting data on ethnicity and ancestry.

1958: Fifth Republic Constitution Approved

In 1958, the Constitution of the Fifth Republic was approved by referendum, establishing a new framework for the French government.

1958: Name change to the Union of Democrats for the Republic

In 1958, the Rally of the French People changed its name to the Union of Democrats for the Republic.

1958: Fifth Republic Formed

In 1958, the current Fifth Republic was formed in France by Charles de Gaulle.

1958: Economic Growth

The Fourth Republic (1946-1958) saw strong economic growth in France.

1959: Gloria

In 1959, Francis Poulenc released his best-known works are the Gloria for soprano, choir and orchestra.

1960: France becomes a recognised nuclear state

France has been a recognised nuclear state since 1960.

1960: France renewed dominance of high fashion industry

France renewed its dominance of the high fashion industry in the years 1860–1960 through the establishment of the great couturier houses such as Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy.

1960: France hosted European Nations' Cup

In 1960, France hosted the European Nations' Cup.

1962: Évian Accords

In 1962, the Évian Accords led to Algerian independence, resulting in significant displacement and casualties.

May 1968: Revolt of May 1968

In May 1968, the revolt had a significant social impact, marking a shift from conservative to more liberal ideals, but it was a political failure that led to a split between the French and de Gaulle.

1968: Grenoble hosted Winter Games

In 1968, Grenoble hosted the Winter Olympic Games.

1969: Succession of the Socialist Party

In 1969, the French Section of the Workers' International was succeeded by the Socialist Party in France.

1971: Environment Ministry Created

In 1971, France was one of the first countries to create an environment ministry.

1973: Investment in Nuclear Power

Following the 1973 oil crisis, France heavily invested in nuclear power.

1973: Oil crisis

Since the 1973 oil crisis, France has pursued a strong policy of energy security, namely through heavy investment in nuclear energy.

1973: End of the baby boom

The highest rate of population growth since the end of the baby boom in 1973 coincides with the rise in the total fertility rate from a nadir of 1.7 in 1994 to 2.0 in 2010.

1974: ORTF split into several national institutions

In 1974, after years of centralised monopoly on radio and television, the governmental agency ORTF was split into several national institutions, but the three already-existing TV channels and four national radio stations remained under state control.

1976: Musée National d'Art Moderne moves

In 1976, the Musée National d'Art Moderne moved to the Centre Georges Pompidou.

1976: Name change to the Rally for the Republic

In 1976, the Union of Democrats for the Republic changed its name to the Rally for the Republic.

1977: Paris building height restriction

In Paris, since 1977, new buildings had to be under 37 metres (121 ft).

1981: Government allows free broadcasting

It was only in 1981 that the French government allowed free broadcasting in the territory.

1982: Peak of public sector involvement

At its peak in 1982, the public sector accounted for one-fifth of industrial employment and over four-fifths of the credit market in France.

1984: France hosted UEFA Euro

In 1984, France hosted UEFA Euro.

1986: Inauguration of the Musée d'Orsay

In 1986, the Musée d'Orsay was inaugurated in the old railway station Gare d'Orsay. This was part of a major reorganization of national art collections to gather French paintings from the second part of the 19th century, mainly Impressionism and Fauvism movements.

1990: Gayssot Act prohibits Holocaust denial

In 1990, the Gayssot Act, which prohibits Holocaust denial, was enacted in France.

1990: Carbon Emission Reduction Target

Like all European Union state members, France agreed to cut carbon emissions by at least 20% of 1990 levels by 2020.

1990: Forest Increase

Since 1990, French forest land area has increased by 7 per cent.

1992: Albertville hosted Winter Games

In 1992, Albertville hosted the Winter Olympic Games.

1992: Maastricht Treaty

In 1992, France signed the Maastricht Treaty, furthering the development of a supranational European Union.

1993: EU members refuse to include culture and audiovisuals in WTO

In 1993, France convinced all EU members to refuse to include culture and audiovisuals in the list of liberalised sectors of the WTO.

1994: Rise in the total fertility rate

The rise in the total fertility rate from a nadir of 1.7 in 1994 to 2.0 in 2010.

1995: Listing of dangerous cults by Parliament

Since 1995, the Parliament in France has listed many religious movements as dangerous cults.

1995: Public Transport Bombings

Since the 1995 public transport bombings, France has been targeted by Islamist organizations.

1997: End of national conscription

National conscription ended in France in 1997.

1997: World Health Organization ranking

The French health care system was ranked first worldwide by the World Health Organization in 1997.

1998: France hosted FIFA World Cup

In 1998, France hosted the FIFA World Cup.

1999: Eurozone Establishment

In 1999, France helped establish the eurozone as part of the ongoing development of the European Union.

1999: Civil unions for homosexual couples permitted

Since 1999, civil unions for homosexual couples have been permitted in France.

2000: Paris stock exchange merged with Amsterdam and Brussels

In 2000, the Paris stock exchange merged with counterparts in Amsterdam and Brussels to form Euronext.

2000: World Health Organization assessment

In its 2000 assessment of world health care systems, the World Health Organization found that France provided the "close to best overall health care" in the world.

2004: Institut Montaigne estimated population distribution

In 2004, the Institut Montaigne estimated that within Metropolitan France, 51 million people were White (85% of the population), 6 million were Northwest African (10%), 2 million were Black (3.3%), and 1 million were Asian (1.7%).

2004: Decline in asylum applications

In 2005, France was Western Europe's leading recipient of asylum seekers, with an estimated 50,000 applications (albeit a 15% decrease from 2004).

2004: Ban on conspicuous religious symbols in schools

Since 2004, wearing conspicuous religious symbols in schools has been banned in France.

2004: Madrid Train Bombings

The November 2015 Paris attacks were the deadliest in the European Union since the Madrid train bombings in 2004.

2005: Leading recipient of asylum seekers

In 2005, France was Western Europe's leading recipient of asylum seekers, with an estimated 50,000 applications.

2005: UNESCO confirms decision

In 2005, the decision to exclude culture and audiovisuals from the list of liberalized sectors of the WTO was confirmed in a vote by UNESCO.

2006: France saw the second-highest overall increase in population in the EU

Between 2006 and 2016, France saw the second-highest overall increase in population in the EU and was one of only four EU countries where natural births accounted for the most population growth.

2006: Michelin Guide awards stars to French restaurants

By 2006, the Michelin Guide had awarded 620 stars to French restaurants.

2006: Population growth

From 2006 to 2011, population growth averaged 0.6 percent per year; since 2011, annual growth has been between 0.4 and 0.5 percent annually, and France is projected to continue growing until 2044.

2007: Native languages

According to the 2007 Adult Education survey, French was the native language of 87.2% of the total population.

2007: Inhabitants living with HIV/AIDS

As of 2007, approximately 140,000 inhabitants (0.4%) of France are living with HIV/AIDS.

2007: Euronext merged with the New York stock exchange

In 2007, Euronext merged with the New York stock exchange to form NYSE Euronext.

2007: France hosted Rugby World Cup

In 2007, France hosted the Rugby World Cup.

2007: Treaty of Lisbon

In 2007, France signed the Treaty of Lisbon, contributing to the development of a supranational European Union.

2007: Saint Barthélemy secedes from Guadeloupe

In 2007, Saint Barthélemy seceded from Guadeloupe, becoming an overseas collectivity.

2007: Name change to the Union for a Popular Movement

In 2007, the Rally for the Republic changed its name to the Union for a Popular Movement.

2008: Largest minority ancestry groups

A 2008 poll estimated that the largest minority ancestry groups were Italian (5 million), followed by Northwest African (3–6 million), and Sub-Saharan African (2.5 million).

2008: Financial crisis

According to the institute, this increase resulted from the 2008 financial crisis.

2008: Railway network

As of 2008, France's railway network stretches 29,473 kilometres (18,314 mi).

2008: Renewable energy production increased

Between 2008 and 2019, France's production capacity from renewable energies rose consistently and nearly doubled.

2008: Government launched initiative to help sector reform

In 2008, the French government launched a major initiative to help the sector reform and become financially independent.

2008: Immigrant population

In 2008, the INSEE estimated that the total number of foreign-born immigrants was around 5 million (8% of the population), while their French-born descendants numbered 6.5 million, or 11% of the population.

April 2009: France rejoins NATO joint military command

On April 4, 2009, under Nicolas Sarkozy, France rejoined the NATO joint military command.

2009: Disneyland Paris most popular theme park

In 2009, Disneyland Paris was Europe's most popular theme park, with 15 million combined visitors to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.

2009: Carbon Tax Plan Abandoned

In 2009, France was set to impose a carbon tax, but the plan was abandoned.

2009: Government gives help to print media

In 2009, the French government had to give €600,000 to help the print media cope with the 2008 financial crisis, in addition to existing subsidies.

2009: Increase in immigrants

In 2014, the INSEE reported a significant increase in the number of immigrants coming from Spain, Portugal and Italy between 2009 and 2012.

2010: Ban on face-covering Islamic veils

In 2010, France banned the wearing of face-covering Islamic veils in public.

2010: Asylum applications

In 2010, France received about 48,100 asylum applications—placing it among the top five asylum recipients in the world.

2010: Newborns in metropolitan France with at least one foreign-born parent

In 2010, roughly one in four newborns (27 percent) in metropolitan France had at least one foreign-born parent and another 24 percent had at least one parent born outside Europe (excluding French overseas territories).

2010: Rise in the total fertility rate

The rise in the total fertility rate from a nadir of 1.7 in 1994 to 2.0 in 2010.

2011: Population growth

From 2006 to 2011, population growth averaged 0.6 percent per year; since 2011, annual growth has been between 0.4 and 0.5 percent annually, and France is projected to continue growing until 2044.

2011: Health expenditure

In 2011, France spent 11.6% of its GDP on health care, or US$4,086 per capita.

2011: France's fertility rate has been steadily declining

Since 2011, France's fertility rate has been steadily declining; it stood at 1.79 per woman in 2023, below the replacement rate of 2.1 and well below the high of 4.41 in 1800.

2012: Intervention in the Northern Mali conflict begins

From 2012, France and other African states intervened in support of the Malian government in the Northern Mali conflict.

2012: Religious buildings

In 2012, among the 47,000 religious buildings in France 94% were Catholic churches.

2012: Increase in immigrants

In 2014, the INSEE reported a significant increase in the number of immigrants coming from Spain, Portugal and Italy between 2009 and 2012.

2013: France second-largest exporter of films

In 2013, France was the second-largest exporter of films in the world, after the United States.

2013: Same-sex marriage and LGBT adoption legalised

Since 2013, same-sex marriage and LGBT adoption have been legal in France.

2014: Opération Chammal Begins

Between 2014 and 2015, Opération Chammal, France's military efforts to contain ISIS, killed over 1,000 ISIS troops.

2014: Increase in immigrants

In 2014, the INSEE reported a significant increase in the number of immigrants coming from Spain, Portugal and Italy between 2009 and 2012.

November 2015: November 2015 Paris Attacks

The November 2015 Paris attacks resulted in 130 deaths, the deadliest attack on French soil since World War II.

2015: French Armed Forces ranked sixth-most powerful

According to a 2015 study by Crédit Suisse, the French Armed Forces ranked as the world's sixth-most powerful military.

2015: France leading in filmmaking

As of 2015, France was producing more films than any other European country.

2015: France as "the best networked state in the world"

In 2015, France was described as "the best networked state in the world" due to its membership in many international institutions.

2015: Name change to The Republicans

In 2015, the Union for a Popular Movement changed its name to The Republicans.

2016: France saw the second-highest overall increase in population in the EU

Between 2006 and 2016, France saw the second-highest overall increase in population in the EU and was one of only four EU countries where natural births accounted for the most population growth.

2016: France hosted UEFA Euro

In 2016, France hosted UEFA Euro.

2016: Administrative Regions Division

Since 2016, France is divided into 18 administrative regions: 13 in metropolitan France (including Corsica) and five overseas.

2017: LVMH largest luxury company

According to 2017 data compiled by Deloitte, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH), a French brand, is the largest luxury company in the world by sales.

2017: Increase in asylum applications

In 2017, France saw the number of asylum applications increase, ultimately doubling to 100,412.

2017: France as fourth-largest donor of development aid

In 2017, France was the world's fourth-largest donor of development aid in absolute terms.

2017: La République En Marche! becomes dominant

In the 2017 presidential and legislative elections, the radical centrist party La République En Marche! (LREM) became the dominant force in French politics, overtaking both Socialists and Republicans.

2017: Emmanuel Macron Becomes President

Since 2017, Emmanuel Macron is the president of France.

2018: France ranked 17th most competitive country

France was the 17th most competitive country, according to the 2018 Global Competitiveness Report.

2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

In 2018, France had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.52/10, ranking it 123rd globally.

2018: France as fifth-largest trading nation

In 2018, France was the fifth-largest trading nation and second-largest in Europe.

2018: Musée d'Orsay voted best museum in the world

In 2018, the Musée d'Orsay was voted the best museum in the world.

2018: EDF produced one-fifth of EU electricity

In 2018, Électricité de France (EDF) produced roughly one-fifth of the European Union's electricity, primarily from nuclear power.

2018: OECD Ranking

The Programme for International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, ranked France's education as near the OECD average in 2018.

June 28, 2019: Record High Temperature

On June 28, 2019, France set a new all-time temperature record of 46 °C in Vérargues.

2019: Regional Natural Parks in France

As of 2019, there are 54 regional natural parks in France (PNRs).

2019: Renewable energy production increased

Between 2008 and 2019, France's production capacity from renewable energies rose consistently and nearly doubled.

2019: France ranked 15th most competitive country

France was the 15th most competitive country, according to the 2019 Global Competitiveness Report.

2019: France hosted FIFA Women's World Cup

In 2019, France hosted FIFA Women's World Cup.

2019: France's ranking in the Global Innovation Index

In 2019, France ranked 16th in the Global Innovation Index.

2019: France ranked first in Europe in foreign direct investment

In 2019, France ranked first in Europe and 13th in the world in foreign direct investment.

2020: Environmental Performance Index Ranking

According to the 2020 Environmental Performance Index, France was the fifth most environmentally conscious country in the world.

2020: France among world's 10 most innovative countries

France is among the world's 10 most innovative countries in the 2020 Bloomberg Innovation Index.

2020: Carbon Emission Reduction Target

Like all European Union state members, France agreed to cut carbon emissions by at least 20% of 1990 levels by 2020.

2020: EELV Performance in Mayoral Elections

Since 2020, Europe Ecology – The Greens (EELV) have performed well in mayoral elections in major cities in France.

2020: Revision of metropolitan area borders

Since its 2020 revision of metropolitan area borders, INSEE considers that Nice is a metropolitan area separate from the Cannes-Antibes metropolitan area.

2021: Intervention in the Northern Mali conflict ends

In 2021, France and other African states ended their intervention in support of the Malian government in the Northern Mali conflict.

2021: France biggest energy exporter in Europe

In 2021, France was the biggest energy exporter in Europe, mostly to the UK and Italy, and the largest net exporter of electricity in the world.

2021: French weapon exports

In 2021, French weapons exports totaled 11.7 billion euros.

2021: Regional daily newspapers outsell national newspapers

In 2021, regional daily newspapers, such as Ouest-France, Sud Ouest, La Voix du Nord, Dauphiné Libéré, Le Télégramme, and Le Progrès, more than doubled the sales of national newspapers, such as Le Monde, Le Figaro, L'Équipe (sports), Le Parisien, and Les Echos (finance).

2021: Largest cities in France

In 2021, the largest cities in France, in terms of metropolitan area population, were Paris (13,171,056 inh.), Lyon (2,308,818), and Marseille (1,888,788).

2021: Share of children of foreign-born mothers

In 2021, the share of children of foreign-born mothers was 23 percent.

2022: French weapon exports

In 2022, French weapons exports totaled 27 billion euros, up from 11.7 billion euros in 2021.

2022: National Assembly Elections

In 2022, an alliance of Left parties (the NUPES) became the second-largest voting block elected to the lower house, and the right-wing populist National Rally (RN) became the largest opposition party in the National Assembly.

2022: Migrants came to France

In 2022, more than 320,000 migrants came to France, with the majority coming from Africa.

2022: Louvre most visited art museum

In 2022, the Louvre was the most visited art museum in the world with 7.7 million visitors.

2022: Average health care spending

In 2022, the average health care spending per capita was US$8,630, representing 12.1% of GDP.

2022: Macron Re-elected President

In the 2022 presidential election, Macron was re-elected, but his party lost its parliamentary majority in the subsequent legislative elections.

2023: France hosted Rugby World Cup

In 2023, France hosted the Rugby World Cup.

2023: France's Tourism

In 2023, France was the world's leading tourist destination, having received 100 million foreign visitors.

2023: French Military Expenditure

In 2023, France's annual military expenditure was US$61.3 billion, or 2.1% of its GDP.

2023: Fertility rate

In 2023, France's fertility rate stood at 1.79 per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1.

2023: France as the world's top tourist destination

With 100 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, France is the world's top tourist destination.

2024: France ranked 12th in the Global Innovation Index

France ranked 12th in the 2024 Global Innovation Index.

2024: Abortion protected in the Constitution

In 2024, France became the first nation in the European Union to explicitly protect abortion in its constitution.

2024: French population aging

It is projected that one in three French will be over 60 by 2024.

2024: Paris to host Summer Olympics

Paris is scheduled to host the Summer Olympics in 2024.

2024: François Bayrou Appointed Prime Minister

Since 2024, François Bayrou is the prime minister of France.

January 2025: Estimated Total Population

In January 2025, the estimated total population of France, including its overseas regions, is over 68.6 million.

2025: France's economic ranking

As of 2025, France is the world's ninth largest economy by purchasing power parity and second largest in the EU.

2040: France aims to expand hydropower

France aims to further expand hydropower into 2040.

2044: Projected population growth

France is projected to continue growing until 2044.

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