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History of France
Journey back in time to France
Visit France. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.
Are you from France? Do you have ancestors from there? Tell us YOUR story!

In 1829, the first sewing machine was invented by Barthélemy Thimonnier of France.
In 1864, Pasteurization was invented by Louis Pasteur of France.
Christmas in France: At midnight everyone attends the Christmas mass. Churches and cathedrals, large and small, are magnificently lit and echo the joyful melodies of carols, bells and carillons. Many churches have a crèche or manger. Formerly, in certain regions, a real infant was placed on the hay of the manger during the mass but this custom is no longer observed. When the family returns home after midnight mass, there is a late supper known as "le réveillon." The meal varies according to the region of France. worldholidaytraditions.com
There is MUCH more to discover about France. Read on!
Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from France
History, News and Stories of France

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1429 - Joan of Arc leads French troops against the English at Orléans, ending a siege by the British during the Hundred Years’ War between France and England.
www.timeforkids.com/ destination/ france/ history-timeline
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1534 - Jacques Cartier of France discovers the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River (North America)
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1603 - March 15: Samuel de Champlain set sail for Quebec from Honfleur, France following in the path of Jacques Cartier to the St Lawrence River and Tadoussac
www.datesandevents.org/ places-timelines/ 19-france-timeline.htm
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1617 - Louis XIII crowned at the age of 17 (France)
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1635 - France enters Thirty Years War as an active combatant. Franco-Spanish War begins.
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1643 - King Louis XIII dies, Louis XIV assumes French throne
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1659 - France and Spain sign the Treaty of the Pyrenees.
On August 26, 1660, Louis XIV made a triumphal entry into Paris with his wife, Marie-Therese. The royal couple took their places...
Louis XIV wasn't just a ceremonial king who represents the kingdom, but makes no decisions of his own... His regime was considered an absolute... Read MORE...
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1700 - Population of the Kingdom of France - 21,000,000
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1713 - February 18 - French invade under Jacques Cassard on Curacao
www.onthisday.com
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1715 - September 1 - Louis XIV (King of France) dies
after a reign of 72 years—the longest of any major European monarch.
onthisday.com
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1717 - February 1 - Henri d'Aguesseau's 1st appointment as chancellor of France
www.onthisday.com
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1718 - January 9 - France declares war on Spain
onthisday.com
1720 - May 25 - The Ship "Le Grand St Antoine" reaches Marseille, bringing Europe's last major plague outbreak. Kills around 100,000.
www.onthisday.com
May 25, 1720
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1758 - French power in Canada declines as the British capture Ft. Louisburg
www.datesandevents.org/ places-timelines/ 19-france-timeline.htm
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1773 - A census is taken in France that finds 2370 Acadians living there.
www.acadian-cajun.com/ acadtime.htm
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February 6, 1778 - France signed the Treaty of Alliance with the United States.
February 6, 1778
1783 - November 21 - Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and Marquis d'Arlandes make 1st manned free balloon flight in a Montgolfier balloon
onthisday.com
1789 - July 14 - French revolutionaries storm the Bastile (a royal fortress). This marks the beginning of the French Revolution.
July 14, 1789
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1791 - Revolutionary France gives women equal inheritance rights (although they lose them later, when the monarchy is restored).
https://www.theguardian.com/money/us-money-blog/2014/aug/11/women-rights-money-timeline-history
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1793 - French King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette are executed. France bans Catholicism.
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1799 - Napoleon Bonaparte leads coup to overthrow government
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1799 - Rosetta Stone discovered
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1800 - Populaton of the French First Republic (French Republic) - 26,758,000
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1812 - Napoleon leads French invasion of Russia, resulting in catastrophic defeat for French. War of 1812 begins with U.S. declaration of war on the United Kingdom.
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1814 - Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to St. Elba according to the terms of the Treaty of Fontainebleau. Representatives from Austria, Russia, Prussia, Britain, and France meet at the Congress of Vienna to discuss future of Europe.
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1815 - The War of 1812 ends with the Treaty of Ghent. Napoleon escapes Elba in an attempt to reestablish his power. Coalition forces defeat him at the battle of Waterloo.
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1824 - Charles X becomes king of France
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1829 - The sewing machine is invented (Barthélemy Thimonnier, France)
MONUMENT FOR SUPPOSED SEWING MACHINE INVENTOR
Lyons, France, Aug. 23. - (Correspondence of Associated Press) - A monument is to be erected here... Read MORE...
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1830 - Charles X (King of France) overthrown
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1839 - January 2 – First photograph of the Moon taken by photographer Louis Daguerre.
wikipedia.org
January 2, 1839
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1852 - Louis Napoleon Bonaparte declares himself Emperor Napoleon III of France
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1864 - Pasteurization is invented (Louis Pasteur, France)
Perfect Pasteurization Means Perfect Protection
Pasturization is simply heating milk - not boiling it.
By raising the temperature of the milk... Read MORE...
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1870 - France declares war on Prussia and Emperor Napoleon III is overthrown
1870 - Thirty per cent of the population of France can neither read nor write.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
May 14, 1870
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1870 to 1871 - Franco-Prussian War, ending in French defeat, loss of Alsace-Lorraine and end of the Second Empire
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1881 - France grants women the right to own bank accounts; five years later, the right is extended to married women, who are allowed to open accounts without their husbands’ permission.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/us-money-blog/2014/aug/11/women-rights-money-timeline-history
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1895 - France
France, a republic, one of the most populous and influential states in the world, constituting the most westerly portion of Central Europe, lying... Read MORE...
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Fascinating Historical Picture Postcards of France.
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1900 - Population of France - 38,900,000
1913 - Christmas in France
When Christmas draws near every French family in easy circumstances sends for a cask of wine and lays in a stock of southern fruit. Those who have... Read MORE...
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1914 - World War I - Germany invades France
1930 - July 13 – The first FIFA World Cup starts: Lucien Laurent scores the first goal, for France against Mexico.
wikipedia.org
July 13, 1930
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1939 - World War II - France and the United Kingdom declare war on Germany
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France Genealogy
Genealogy Resources for France
Archives Départementales du Haut-Rhin - www.archives.cg68.fr
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Updated: 12/14/2022 4:59:38 PM
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