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Timeline: France

Years: c. 31,000 years ago - 2007	Subject: Encyclopedias, Geographical reference
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191736377

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BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 31,000 years ago	Rhinoceroses, lions and mammoth feature on the walls of the Chauvet cave, in southern France Go to cave art in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Arts Painting French painting Science French art Europe
c. 29,000 years ago	In the Cosquer cave near Marseilles, with its entrance now far below sea level, a hand print is made Go to marine and underwater archaeology in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Science Europe
c. 25,000 years ago	A Brassempouy, in France, a Venus figurine is carved which is the oldest known example to have facial features Go to unenclosed settlement in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Arts Sculpture Science Europe
c. 16,000 years ago	The walls of the complex of caves at Lascaux in France are covered, over the years, with a vast number of paintings of animals Go to Lascaux, France in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Arts Painting Science Europe
c. 4000 BCE	A passage grave with a superb corbelled dome is constructed on the île Longue off the southern coast of Brittany Go to passage grave in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Architecture French architecture Religion Europe
121 BCE	The Romans establish a province in the south of France, still acknowledged in the name Provence Go to Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (France) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization Europe
102 BCE	The Roman general Gaius Marius defeats the Teutones, a German tribe which has made deep inroads into southern Gaul Go to Teutons in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Migration Battles Europe Society
58 BCE	At the end of his year as consul, Caesar travels north to become governor of northern Italy and southern France Go to Caesar, Julius in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Greece Italy Julius Caesar begins the long slow process of pushing Roman occupation steadily northwards in France (or Gaul) Go to Gallic wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Europe Greece
52 BCE	The Celtic leader Vercingetorix inflicts an unaccustomed defeat on Julius Caesar, at Gergovia, but is captured later in the year Go to Vercingetorix in A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Celts Politics Conquest and colonization Battles Europe Greece Society In his winter quarters Julius Caesar writes The Gallic War, an account of his own achievements in suppressing the Gauls Go to Gaul in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Literature Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Greece
c. 20	The Romans construct the massive Pont du Gard to bring water to the city of Nîmes Go to Pont du Gard in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Architecture Europe Empires
177	On the order of Marcus Aurelius, Christians in Lyons are tortured to death - an instance of persecution unusual at this time Go to Lyons, Martyrs of (d. 177) in The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (5 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Europe Empires
314	Warming to his new Christian role, Constantine summons more than 300 bishops to Arles to discuss the controversial issue of Donatus Go to Donatism in The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Roman empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Europe Empires
360	St Martin founds the first monastery in western Europe, at Ligugé near Poitiers Go to Martin, St (d. 397) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Religion Christianity Europe
406	The Vandals cross the Rhine into Gaul and move into Spain, from which the Visigoths soon push them on into Africa Go to Vandals in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Roman empire Politics Conquest and colonization Migration Europe Spain Society Empires
407	The Roman city of Nîmes is sacked by the Vandals, in an early indication of the gradual loss of Gaul to the Germanic tribes Go to Vandals in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Roman empire Migration War Europe Society Empires
413	The Burgundians cross the Rhine and settle round Worms, before moving south to the Savoy region Go to Burgundians in The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Roman empire Migration Europe Society Empires
418	The Visigoths, after twenty years of destructive wandering, settle in southwest France as Roman federates Go to Visigoths (west *Goths) in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Roman empire Migration Europe Society Empires
451	Attila and the Huns invade Gaul but are defeated, somewhere near Troyes, by a Roman army supported by Visigoths and Burgundians Go to Attila (d. 453) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Roman empire Migration Battles Europe Society Empires
c. 481	The 15-year-old Clovis inherits the Merovingian crown and becomes leader of the Franks - with his first capital at Tournai Go to Clovis1 (465–511) in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
c. 500	Clovis and some 3000 of his soldiers are baptized in a massive ceremony at Reims Go to Clovis (c. 466–511) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Europe
591	Gregory, bishop of Tours, brings his 'History of the Franks' up to this year Go to Gregory of Tours (c. 540–94) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Literature Europe
c. 650	In the Frankish kingdoms the 'mayors of the palace' steadily become more powerful than their nominal masters, the Merovingian kings Go to Mayor of the Palace in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Politics Europe
c. 687	With a victory at Tertry, Pepin II wins effective control over all three Frankish kingdoms Go to Tertry, Battle of in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Germany
714	The death of the Frankish 'mayor of the palace' Pepin II is followed by civil war between members of his family Go to Merovingians in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe
724	The civil war among the Franks ends with complete victory for Charles Martel, an illegitimate grandson of Pepin II Go to Charles Martel (c. 688–741) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe
c. 725	The Frankish ruler Charles Martel, granting tracts of land to his nobles, lays the foundation for European feudalism Go to feudalism in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Europe
732	The Muslim advance into France is halted when Charles Martel defeats the Arabs between Poitiers and Tours Go to Poitiers in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Islam Battles Muslim empires Europe Empires
741	Charles Martel dies and leaves the Frankish kingdoms to his two sons, Carloman and Pepin III Go to Pepin III (714–68) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
747	The elder son of Charles Martel retires to a monastery, leaving Pepin III in control of the entire Frankish empire Go to Pepin in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
c. 750	With papal support Pepin III is elected king of the Franks, beginning the Carolingian dynasty (named from his father, Charles Martel) Go to Carolingian empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Papacy Europe
753	Pope Stephen II anoints Pepin III and his two sons (one of them Charlemagne) in the abbey church of St Denis Go to St-Denis in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Holy Roman empire Politics Religion Christianity Papacy Europe Empires
768	On the death of Pepin III, the empire of the Franks is divided between his two sons - Charlemagne and his younger brother, Carloman Go to Charlemagne (c.742–814) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
771	On the death of his brother, Charlemagne inherits the entire kingdom of the Franks Go to Charlemagne in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Holy Roman empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Germany Empires
796	Alcuin leaves the palace school at Aachen to become abbot of the monastery of Tours Go to Saint-Martin at Tours in Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Religion Christianity Europe Germany
c. 800	The script known as Carolingian minuscule (basis of the modern roman typeface) is developed by Alcuin and his scribes at the monastery of Tours Go to Carolingian (Caroline) minuscule in The Oxford Companion to the Book (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century 9th century Arts Decorative arts French art Europe
c. 816	Work begins in Rheims on the Utrecht Psalter, an outstanding example of the Carolingian illuminated manuscript Go to Utrecht Psalter in Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Arts Decorative arts French art Europe
843	The central Frankish kingdom, Francia Media, becomes one of the great fault lines of European history Go to Lorraine (Australia, Canada, France, USA) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Politics Europe Germany
c. 850	The three-field system, introduced by the Franks, increases agricultural yield by 33%. Go to field systems in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Social and domestic Europe Society
909	Monastic reform, begun at Cluny, is so successful that more than 1000 Benedictine houses eventually follow the Cluniac example Go to Cluny, Cluniacs in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Religion Christianity Monasticism Europe
911	The Vikings settle in France, as Normans, when Rollo the Ganger is granted feudal rights over the region round Rouen Go to Rollo (c.932) in Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Migration Europe Society
c. 950	The material of the Eddas, taking shape in Iceland, derives from earlier sources in Norway, Britain and Burgundy Go to Edda in The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Literature English literature Literature in English Poetry British Isles Europe Norway Britain
987	Hugh Capet, a Frankish noble elected king of west Francia, establishes the royal dynasty of France. Go to Hugh Capet , king of France (941–96) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Hugh Capet is the first in an unbroken line of twelve generations on the throne of France Go to Hugh Capet , king of France (941–96) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1066	Halley's comet, appearing in the Normans' annus mirabilis, is later depicted in the Bayeux tapestry Go to Halley's Comet (1P/Halley) in A Dictionary of Astronomy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Science Astronomy and space British Isles Europe Britain The Normans, as seen in the Bayeux tapestry, invade England in Viking longships with fortified platforms for archers Go to Bayeux Tapestry in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain
1078	Anselm includes in his Proslogion his famous 'ontological proof' of the existence of God Go to ontological argument in The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Literature Literature in English Philosophy Religion Christianity Europe
c. 1080	Work begins on the story of the Norman conquest, narrated in embroidery in the Bayeux tapestry Go to Bayeux Tapestry in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 11th century Arts Decorative arts British art British Isles French art Europe Britain
1084	St Bruno and six companions retire to Chartreuse, in the French Alps, and establish the Carthusian order Go to Carthusian Order in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Religion Christianity Monasticism Europe
c. 1098	Benedictine monks, wishing to return to the early ideals of the order, form a community at Cîteaux which becomes the Cistercian order Go to Cistercian Order in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Religion Christianity Monasticism Europe
c. 1102	The chansons de geste, performed by professional minstrels in castles and manors, celebrate the exploits of Charlemagne and his paladins Go to chansons de geste in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
c. 1115	Peter Abelard teaches philosophy at Notre Dame until an affair with one of his pupils, Héloïse, brings his career to a dramatic end Go to Abelard, Peter (1079–1142) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Europe St Bernard establishes a new monastery at Clairvaux, from which he presides over the rapid expansion of the Cistercian order Go to Bernard, St (1090–1153) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Religion Christianity Monasticism Europe
c. 1120	The troubadours of Provence develop a new form of love poetry in French, introducing courtly love Go to courtly love in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
c. 1130	A popular French poem, the Chanson de Roland, turns a minor disaster in one of Charlemagne's campaigns into a tale of epic heroism Go to Roland in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe The full flowering of the Romanesque style is seen in the nave of the abbey church at Vézelay, in France Go to Romanesque in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Architecture French architecture Europe
1144	The new abbey church of St Denis is consecrated near Paris, introducing the style of architecture later known as Gothic Go to Gothic in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Architecture French architecture Gothic Europe
c. 1145	A new form of pious devotion is seen in Chartres, with people painfully dragging wagons of stone to enlarge the cathedral Go to Chartres in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Religion Christianity Europe
1147	The second crusade is led east by two kings, Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany Go to Louis VII (c.1120–80) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Europe Germany Wars and Revolutions
c. 1150	In feudal France and Germany Charlemagne is by now venerated as a saint Go to Charlemagne in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Holy Roman empire Religion Christianity Europe Germany Empires The biblical kings and queens in the west porch of Chartres cathedral are a striking early example of Gothic sculpture Go to Gothic in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe
1154	Henry II, coming to the throne of England, is king or feudal overlord of an unbroken swathe of territory from the Tweed to the Pyrenees Go to Henry II (1133–89) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Britain 1066-1500 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain
c. 1160	Chrétien de Troyes and other French authors turn the stories of Arthur and his knights into a romance of courtly love Go to ‘Allegro, L’ in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
c. 1170	The first known mystery play, the Mystery of Adam, takes place outside a church somewhere in France Go to mystery plays in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Performing arts Theatre Europe
c. 1200	The heresy of the Cathars (meaning 'pure' ones) is now so well established in southern France that they have bishops of their own Go to heresy in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century 13th century Religion Christianity Europe
1204	The French king, Philip II, takes Normandy from the English, and follows this success by taking Anjou a year later Go to Philip II (1165–1223) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Conquest and colonization Europe
1208	The murder of the pope's legate to Toulouse provokes the Albigensian crusade, which aims to wipe out the Catharist heresy Go to Albigensians in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Papacy Europe
c. 1220	Nearly 200 windows make Chartres cathedral the most magnificent display of early stained glass Go to Chartres in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Arts French art Europe
1233	Gregory IX sends Dominican friars to root out the remains of the Catharist heresy in France, thus launching the Inquisition Go to Gregory IX (c.1148–1241) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Monasticism Europe Italy
1243	Construction begins in Paris on the Sainte Chapelle, designed to house relics acquired by Louis IX, the king of France Go to Louis IX, St (1214–70) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Architecture French architecture Gothic Europe
1244	The siege of the Catharist stronghold of Montségur ends when 200 heretics are herded into a wooden stockade and are burnt Go to Montségur, Siege of in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Europe
c. 1250	France becomes the first kingdom to establish a permanent parliament when Louis IX reserves a chamber in his palace for quarterly sessions Go to Louis IX, St (1214–70) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Democracy and dissent Europe
1263	Pope Urban IV offers Sicily to a French prince, Charles of Anjou, who marches south in 1266 to fight for the kingdom Go to Charles I of Anjou (1226–85) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Papacy Sicily Europe Italy
1302	The estates-general of France gather for the first time, in Notre Dame, to consider the king's relationship with the pope Go to States-General in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Democracy and dissent Papacy Europe
1309	Clement V moves the papacy to Avignon, in a move which is expected to be temporary but which lasts for nearly seventy years Go to Clement V (1264–1314) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 14th century Italian Renaissance Reformation Politics Religion Christianity Papacy Europe Italy
1310	Fifty-four Knights Templars are burned at the stake, during the campaign of the French king to destroy the order Go to Knight Templar in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Europe
c. 1320	Philippe de Vitry, in his Ars Nova ('New Art'), lays out the basis of musical notation Go to Adeste fideles in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Performing arts Music Europe
1328	When Charles IV dies, for the first time in more than 400 years of the Capetian dynasty there is no son or brother to inherit the French crown Go to Capetian (987–1328) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions A French cousin, Philip of Valois, is selected to succeed Charles IV - in preference to an English cousin, Edward III Go to Philip VI (1293–1350) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1337	Philip VI of France confiscates Guienne, a fief belonging to Edward III of England - whose response begins the Hundred Years' War Go to Hundred Years War in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Britain
1340	Edward III, in Ghent, publicly assumes the title and the arms of the king of France Go to Bruce, Edward (d. 1318) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Britain
1346	The more mobile English force, of longbows and infantry, defeats at Crécy the unwieldy crossbows and heavy cavalry of the French Go to Crécy, battle of (1346) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 14th century War Battles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1347	The English siege of Calais ends when six burghers of the town, with ropes around their necks, offer their lives to save their fellow citizens Go to Calais, possession of in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 14th century War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1356	The battle of Poitiers ends, on the third day, with victory for the English and the capture of the French king, John II Go to Poitiers, Battle of (19 September 1356) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Battles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1360	After four years of captivity in Bordeaux and London, the French king John II is released for a promised ransom of 3 million gold crowns Go to Charles IV (1316–78) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1369	The marriage of the duke of Burgundy to the heiress of Flanders lays the foundation for the great territorial expansion of Burgundy Go to Burgundy in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Belgium Netherlands
1377	The papal curia returns to Rome in what would seem a conclusive move if there were not, two years later, two popes - one of them elected back in Avignon Go to Curia in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 14th century Italian Renaissance Reformation Politics Religion Christianity Papacy Rome Europe Italy
1379	The French cardinals, objecting to the new Italian pope, elect their own man as Clement VII - and thus inaugurate the Great Schism of the papacy Go to Great Schism (1378–1417) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 14th century Italian Renaissance Reformation Politics Religion Christianity Papacy Europe Italy
1392	Charles VI, king of France, suffers the first of many violent fits of madness Go to Charles VI (1368–1422) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 14th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1395	Philip II of Burgundy commissions from Netherlands sculptor Claus Sluter a work, the Well of Moses, which launches the northern Renaissance Go to Sluter, Claus (c.1350) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 14th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe Belgium Netherlands
1407	Rivalry between factions of the French royal family results in the murder in Paris of the king's brother, Louis duke of Orléans, and the onset of civil war Go to Charles VI (1368–1422) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1412	The three Limburg brothers illustrate for the duke of Berry the Très Riches Heures, one of the masterpieces of International Gothic Go to International Gothic in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1415	Henry V captures the French stronghold of Harfleur - where, in Shakespeare, he urges his dear friends 'once more unto the breach' Go to Henry V (b. 16 Sept. 1387) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century War Europe Wars and Revolutions Henry V wins a victory on St Crispin's day at Agincourt, against a much larger and more heavily armed French force Go to Henry V (b. 16 Sept. 1387) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century War Battles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1419	After a six-month siege Henry V makes a triumphal entry into Rouen, the city of his Norman ancestors Go to Henry V (b. 16 Sept. 1387) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century War Europe Wars and Revolutions John the Fearless, duke of Burgundy, is murdered by the Armagnac faction in the presence of the dauphin - escalating France's civil war Go to Aal, Johannes (c.1500–1551) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1420	The treaty of Troyes, between the English and the Burgundian faction, grants Henry V the status of heir to the French throne Go to Troyes, treaty of (1420) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Britain Henry V marries Catherine, daughter of the French king and sister of the rightful heir to the kingdom, the dauphin, who is on the opposing side Go to Henry V (b. 16 Sept. 1387) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Britain
1422	The dauphin proclaims himself Charles VII of France, but with Paris in the hands of his enemies he is known as the king of Bourges Go to Charles VII (1403–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions Henry VI, son of Henry V and Catherine of France, is king of England and theoretically king of France before his first birthday Go to Henry VI (b. 6 Dec. 1421) in The Kings and Queens of Britain (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Britain
1428	A peasant girl, Joan of Arc, hears the voices of saints urging her to relieve the siege of Orléans Go to Joan of Arc, St (1412–31) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1429	Joan of Arc wins her way into the presence of Charles VII at Chinon and persuades him, eventually, to trust her Go to Charles VII (1403–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity War Europe Wars and Revolutions Joan of Arc leads French forces in the successful relief of Orléans Go to Joan of Arc, St (1412–31) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity War Europe Wars and Revolutions Joan of Arc stands nearby while Charles VII is anointed at Reims, then kneels before him and for the first time calls him her king Go to Charles VII (1403–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1430	Joan of Arc is captured in a skirmish with the Burgundians, who subsequently hand her over to the English Go to Joan of Arc, St (1412–31) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1431	Joan of Arc, tried by the Inquisition on behalf of the English in Rouen, is burned at the stake as a relapsed heretic Go to Inquisition in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1437	Charles VII enters Paris, marking conclusively the end of the French civil war Go to Charles VII (1403–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1438	The French clergy pass a resolution at Bourges, limiting the power of the papacy within France, which is adopted by the king as a 'pragmatic sanction' Go to pragmatic sanction in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Reformation Politics Religion Christianity Papacy Europe
1450	The French bring two small cannon on to the battlefield at Formigny, where they have a significant effect in achieving the French victory Go to Formigny, Battle of (15 April 1450) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century War Weapons Europe Wars and Revolutions
1452	étienne Chevalier commissions from Jean Fouquet a series of illustrations for his Book of Hours Go to Fouquet (Foucquet), Jean (c.1420) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1453	The French win a convincing victory at Castillon, recovering the last stronghold (except Calais) held by the English in France Go to Castillon, battle of (1453) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century War Battles Europe Wars and Revolutions Charles VII's full recovery of Aquitaine and Normandy effectively brings to an end the Hundred Years' War Go to Charles VII (1403–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War 15th century War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1461	Francois Villon, recently released from prison, writes his Ballad of the Ladies of Times Past Go to Villon, François (1430–63?) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
1475	Edward IV, landing at Calais with a large army, is bought off at Picquigny with a bribe - ending his attempt to revive the Hundred Years' War Go to Edward IV (1442–83) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Hundred Years' War Britain 1066-1500 15th century Politics War British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions Britain
1477	Maximilian, heir to Austria, weds Mary, heiress to Burgundy, in the first of the great marriage alliances which form the Habsburg empire Go to Habsburg in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Holy Roman empire Austrian empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Austria Empires
1494	Charles VIII, king of France, marches through the Alps with an army of 30,000, to claim the throne of Naples Go to Charles VIII (1470–98) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 15th century Italian Renaissance Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Italy
1495	Charles VIII captures Naples in February and is crowned there in May, but is forced back across the Alps before the end of the year Go to Charles VIII (1470–98) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 15th century Italian Renaissance Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Italy
c. 1500	The Salic law, preventing inheritance of the throne by or through a woman, is by now accepted as a fundamental law of France Go to Salic law in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century 16th century Europe
1515	Louis XII is succeeded on the French throne by his cousin and son-in-law, Francis I Go to Francis I (1494–1547) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe The king of France, Francis I, wins a dramatic victory at Marignano and captures Milan Go to Francis I (1494–1547) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 16th century Italian Renaissance War Battles Europe Italy
1517	Leonardo da Vinci moves to France, on the invitation of Francis I Go to Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 16th century Italian Renaissance Arts Painting French painting Italian painting French art Italian art Europe Italy
1520	The English and French kings, Henry VIII and Francis I, feast and parley on the Field of Cloth of Gold Go to Field of Cloth of Gold (1520) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Europe
1525	The French king, Francis I, is taken prisoner by the Spanish at the battle of Pavia Go to Francis I (1494–1547) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Renaissance 16th century Italian Renaissance War Battles Europe Italy
1527	Francis I begins to transform Fontainebleau into a palace, employing artists who establish the mannerist school of Fontainebleau Go to Fontainebleau School in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Architecture French architecture Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1532	François Rabelais publishes Pantagruel, the first to appear of his five books about the giant Pantagruel and his father Gargantua Go to Rabelais, François in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Europe
1534	Paris wakes up to find Protestant placards all over the place, mocking the sacrament of the mass Go to Protestantism in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Christianity Europe
1545	3000 Waldenses are massacred as heretics in the villages of Provence Go to Waldenses noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Europe Ambroise Paré, the greatest surgeon of his day, publishes an account of how to treat gunshot wounds Go to Paré, Ambroise (c.1510–90) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Science Medicine Europe
1549	Joachim du Bellay publishes a manifesto for the group of new French poets who become known as the Pléiade Go to Pléiade, Ia in The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Europe
1550	Pierre de Ronsard publishes the first four books of his Odes Go to Ronsard, Pierre de (1524–85) in The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
1558	Mary Queen of Scots marries the heir to the French throne, who a year later succeeds as Francis II Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty Scotland British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain
1559	A national synod of France's Protestants, the Huguenots, is convened in Paris Go to Huguenots in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Religion Christianity Europe
1560	A year after Mary has become queen of France, her husband Francis II dies Go to Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–87) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Britain 1500-1750 Politics Dynasties and royalty British Isles British monarchs - from 1066 Europe Rulers and politicians Britain
1572	A massacre of French Protestants, known as the Huguenots, begins in Paris on St Bartholomew's Day Go to St Bartholomew's Day Massacre (23–24 August 1572) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Europe
1580	French author Michel de Montaigne, in his library tower, produces Europe's first volume of essays – published in this year under the simple title Essais Go to Montaigne, Michel de in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Europe
1581	The first dramatic ballet, the Balet Comique de la Reine, is presented during French wedding festivities Go to ballet de cour in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Performing arts Dance Europe
c. 1590	Royal (or real) tennis is so popular in France that there are now said to be 250 courts in Paris alone Go to real tennis noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Sports and games Europe Society
1593	Henry IV becomes a Catholic so as to secure Paris and the throne of France Go to Henry IV in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Europe
1598	The Edict of Nantes secures the civil rights of France's Protestants, the Huguenots Go to Nantes, Edict of (1598) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Reformation Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Christianity Europe
c. 1610	A flintlock designed in France (possibly by Marin Le Bourgeoys) becomes the standard firing mechanism for muskets Go to flintlock noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Weapons Europe Henry IV is assassinated in a Paris street by a Roman Catholic, François Ravaillac Go to Henry IV in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Terrorism and assassination Europe After the assassination of Henry IV, his wife Marie de Médicis becomes regent for the 9-year-old Louis XIII Go to Marie de Médicis (1573–1642) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1616	Richelieu begins his public career, becoming a secretary of state to Marie de Médicis Go to Richelieu, Armand Jean du Plessis (1585–1642) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Europe
1625	Rubens completes a great narrative sequence of twenty-one paintings to celebrate the achievements of Marie de Médicis Go to Rubens, Peter Paul (1577–1640) [Art] in The Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Baroque Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1637	Pierre Corneille's play Le Cid, popular with Paris audiences, hinges on the conflict between duty and love Go to Corneille, Pierre in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe
1642	The Briare canal, joining the Seine to the Loire, has a staircase of six consecutive locks Go to lock in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Canals Technology Engineering Europe Society
1643	Louis XIV inherits the throne of France at the age of four Go to Louis XIV (1638–1715) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Mazarin becomes principal minister in France, selected by the queen regent on the death of Louis XIII Go to Mazarin, Jules (1602–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Europe The Prince de Condé and the Vicomte de Turenne emerge as brilliant generals in France's wars Go to Thirty Years' War (1618–48) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century War Europe
1644	In his Principles of Philosophy Descartes gives priority to reason, summed up in his famous phrase cogito ergo sum Go to Descartes, René (1596–1650) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Literature French literature Philosophy Europe
1646	With the help of his more robust brother-in-law, Blaise Pascal provides physical proof that atmospheric pressure varies with altitude Go to Pascal, Blaise (1623–1662) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Science Physics Europe
1648	A rebellion of nobles against Mazarin, the principal minister of the young Louis XIV, becomes known as the Fronde Go to Fronde (1648–53) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Protest and rebellion Europe
1650	Descartes catches a fatal chill, returning home in midwinter from pre-dawn instruction of Queen Christina of Sweden Go to Descartes, René (1596–1650) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Europe
1652	Turenne defeats Condé in a battle in the Paris suburbs, hastening the decline of the Fronde Go to Fronde (1648–53) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Battles Europe
1653	The 14-year-old Louis XIV dances in a court ballet as Apollo, wearing a glorious sun costume, and finds that he likes the role Go to Louis XIV (1638–1715) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Dance Europe
1661	Louis XIV establishes a royal dancing academy and soon follows it with a music academy Go to Louis XIV (1638–1715) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Dance Europe
1662	Jean-Baptiste Colbert buys the Gobelin family workshops in Paris and transforms them into a royal factory for Louis XIV Go to Colbert, Jean Baptiste (1619–83) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Arts Decorative arts French art Europe
1664	Colbert founds East India and West India companies to ensure a supply of raw materials for France's factories Go to Colbert, Jean Baptiste (1619–83) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Commerce and industry Europe Society Louis XIV commissions a well-established team of designers to provide him with a spectacular palace and garden at Versailles Go to Versailles in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Baroque Architecture French architecture Europe
1667	The first successful human blood transfusion is achieved in Paris by Jean Baptiste Denis, apparently saving the life of a 15-year-old boy Go to transfusion in Concise Medical Dictionary (8 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Science Medicine Europe French dramatist Jean Racine's first great success, Andromaque, finds tragic drama in a quadrangle of love Go to Racine, Jean in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe
1672	Giovanni Domenico Cassini, working in the Paris royal observatory, calculates the distance from the earth to the sun and is only 7% out Go to Cassini, Giovanni Domenico (1625–1712) in A Dictionary of Astronomy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Science Astronomy and space Europe
1673	Molière falls fatally ill when acting in his own play Le Malade Imaginaire Go to Molière (1622–73) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe Sébastien de Vauban's new technique for conducting the siege of a town shows its effectiveness at Maastricht Go to Vauban, Sébastien Le Prestre, seigneur de (1633–1707) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century War Europe
1676	Ole Roemer, a Danish astronomer working with Cassini in Paris, calculates the speed of light with an error of only 25% Go to Cassini, Giovanni Domenico (1625–1712) in A Dictionary of Astronomy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Science Physics Europe Denmark
c. 1680	Louis XIV persecutes the Huguenots by means of dragonnades - the billetting of unruly dragoons in the homes of villagers Go to Dragonnades in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Europe
1681	The Canal du Midi is completed in France, including at one point a 160-metre tunnel through high ground Go to Rivers, Canals, and Inland Waterways in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Canals Technology Engineering Europe Society A professional ballet company in Paris introduces female dancers and the world's first prima ballerina, Mlle de Lafontaine Go to Lafontaine, Mlle de (1655) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Performing arts Dance Europe
1685	400,000 Huguenots leave France after Louis XIV deprives them of their rights by revoking the Edict of Nantes Go to Nantes, Edict of (1598) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Europe
1688	Sébastien de Vauban's socket bayonet is introduced in the French army Go to Vauban, Sébastien Le Prestre, seigneur de (1633–1707) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Weapons Europe
1701	The War of the Spanish Succession breaks out between French and Austrian claimants to the Spanish throne Go to Spanish Succession, War of the (1701–14) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Austrian empire Habsburgs War Europe Austria Spain Empires
1714	Strasbourg and Alsace are ceded to Louis XIV and become part of France Go to Louis XIV (1638–1715) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Europe
1715	Louis XIV dies after seventy-two years on the throne Go to Louis XIV (1638–1715) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
c. 1720	The lighter rococo style, beginning in France, becomes an extension of the baroque Go to rococo in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Arts Decorative arts French art Europe The postchaise, introduced in France, provides the first chance of reasonably comfortable travel by land Go to post-chaise noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Commerce and industry Social and domestic Travel and transport Technology Engineering Europe Society Shares in John Law's Louisiana Company rise spectacularly and then collapse, in what becomes known as the Mississippi Bubble Go to Law, John (1671–1729) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Commerce and industry Europe Society
1721	Jean-Antoine Watteau paints the most splendid shop sign in history, for his friend Gersaint Go to Watteau, Jean-Antoine (1684–1721) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Baroque Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1733	An alliance between the French and Spanish Bourbons is the first of what become known as the Family Compacts Go to Bourbons in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Spain Voltaire publishes a series of Philosophical Letters comparing the French unfavourably with England Go to Voltaire (1694–1778) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Europe
1744	France formally declares war on Britain half way through the War of the Austrian Succession Go to Austrian Succession, War of the (1740–48) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1500-1750 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Britain Bad weather causes the French to abandon a plan to invade Britain with the Scottish pretender Charles Edward Stuart Go to Stuart, Charles Edward (1720–88) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century War Europe Austria
1745	Maurice de Saxe, with a French army including an Irish brigade, defeats British, Austrian and Dutch forces at Fontenoy Go to Austrian Succession, War of the (1740–48) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century War Battles Europe Austria
1746	Monsieur Passemont constructs in Paris a millennium clock which can record the date in any year up to AD 9999 Go to Paris in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe
1751	A great French undertaking by Denis Diderot, his 28-volume Encyclopédie, begins publication Go to Diderot, Denis (1713–84) in The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Europe French painter Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin returns to the subject matter that first took his interest, still life Go to Chardin, Jean‐Baptiste Siméon (1699–1779) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1752	French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard wins the cherished Prix de Rome at the age of 20 Go to Fragonard, Jean-Honoré (1732–1806) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Arts Painting French painting French art Rome Europe
1756	In what becomes known as the Diplomatic Revolution, two of Europe's long-standing rivals - France and Austria - sign a treaty of alliance Go to Diplomatische Revolution in The Oxford Companion to German Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Austrian empire Habsburgs Politics Europe Austria Empires
1759	Voltaire publishes Candide, a satire on optimism prompted by the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 Go to Voltaire (1694–1778) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1762	Two books in this year, émile and Du Contrat Social, prompt orders for the arrest of Jean-Jacques Rousseau Go to Rousseau, Jean‐Jacques (1712–78) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Literature French literature Fiction Philosophy Europe
1763	A treaty signed in Paris ends the Seven Years' War between Britain, France and Spain Go to Paris, Treaty of (1763) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles European empires from 1415 Europe Spain Empires Britain
1766	Pierre le Roy's chronometer, as accurate as Harrison's and cheaper to construct, is set to become the standard model Go to Harrison, John (1693–1776) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe
1768	A French artist, Jean Baptiste le Prince, discovers the aquatint technique in printmaking Go to aquatint in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Printing Arts Prints French art Europe Corsica is sold to France by the republic of Genoa Go to Corsica in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Europe
1769	French inventor Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot successfully tests a steam wagon, probably the first working mechanical vehicle Go to Cugnot, Nicolas-Joseph (1725–1804) in The New Oxford Dictionary for Scientific Writers and Editors (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Steam Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe
1775	Figaro makes his first appearance on stage in Beaumarchais' The Barber of Seville Go to Beaumarchais, Pierre Augustin Caron de (1732–99) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe Talleyrand begins an extremely varied career by becoming an abbot at the age of twenty-one Go to Talleyrand (1754–1838) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Religion Christianity Europe
1778	Benjamin Franklin persuades the French to sign a Treaty of Alliance, committing France to the US cause Go to Franklin, Benjamin (1706–90) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution American Revolutionary War Politics War European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions North America United States France, joining the American colonies in their fight against Britain, sends a large fleet across the Atlantic Go to American Revolution in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century American Revolution American Revolutionary War Britain 1750-1900 War Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles British colonial America Europe Wars and Revolutions Britain North America United States 15-year-old Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Lebrun earns enough from painting portraits to support the rest of her family Go to Vigée-Lebrun, Élisabeth (16 Apr. 1755) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1779	The 10-year-old Napoleon is admitted as a student in a military college at Brienne, near Troyes Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century War Europe
1782	French paper manufacturer Joseph Montgolfier sends a hot-air balloon 3000 feet (1000m) into the air, in front of a crowd in Annonay Go to Montgolfier, Michel Joseph de (1740–1810) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe
1783	Ten days after the first human ascent in a hot-air balloon the feat is repeated, again in Paris, in a version lifted by hydrogen Go to Montgolfier, Michel Joseph de (1740–1810) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe Louis XVI watches through his telescope the first balloon flight with living passengers – a sheep, a cock and a duck Go to Louis XVI (1754–93) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe A hot-air balloon rises from a Paris garden, carrying the first human aeronauts – Pilàtre de Rozier and the marquis d'Arlandes Go to Montgolfier, Michel Joseph de (1740–1810) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe Jacques-Louis David, establishing a reputation with his severe classical paintings, is elected to the French academy Go to David, Jacques-Louis (30 Aug. 1748) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1785	The French queen Marie Antoinette is wrongly implicated in a scandal involving a diamond necklace Go to Marie Antoinette (1755–93) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Wars and Revolutions French physicist Charles Augustin de Coulomb begins publishing his discoveries in the field of electricity and magnetism Go to Coulomb, Charles Augustin de (1736–1806) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Science Physics Europe Napoleon graduates from his military college and is commissioned in an artillery regiment Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century War Europe French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon crosses the Atlantic to sculpt a statue of George Washington from the life at Mount Vernon Go to Houdon, Jean-Antoine (25 Mar. 1741) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Arts Sculpture American art French art US presidents Europe Rulers and politicians North America United States
1787	French chemist Antoine Laurent Lavoisier publishes a system for classifying and naming chemical substances Go to Lavoisier, Antoine Laurent (1743–1794) in A Dictionary of Chemistry (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Science Chemistry Europe The French finance minister, Charles Alexandre de Calonne, is dismissed when his proposed reforms meet aristocratic opposition Go to French Revolution (1789) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Europe Wars and Revolutions
1788	The ministers of Louis XVI reluctantly announce that the estates general will meet in 1789, for the first time since 1614 Go to estates general in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Democracy and dissent Europe Wars and Revolutions
1789	A pamphlet published in France by Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès asks a challenging question, What is the Third Estate? Go to Siéyès, Emmanuel‐Joseph, abbé (1748–1836) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Wars and Revolutions A left-wing political club begins to meet in a Jacobin convent in Paris, thus becoming known as the Jacobins Go to Jacobin Club in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Wars and Revolutions Delegates of the Third Estate swear an oath in a tennis court at Versailles, pledging themselves not to disperse until France has a constitution Go to Tennis Court Oath in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Europe Wars and Revolutions The painter Jacques-Louis David sketches the events in the Versailles tennis court Go to David, Jacques-Louis (30 Aug. 1748) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe An excited Paris mob liberates the seven prisoners held in the forbidding fortress of the Bastille Go to Bastille in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Wars and Revolutions Parisians force their way into the palace at Versailles and insist on Louis XVI and his royal family accompanying them back to Paris Go to Louis XVI (1754–93) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Wars and Revolutions French doctor Joseph-Ignace Guillotin proposes a decapitation machine as a more humane form of capital punishment Go to guillotine in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Europe Wars and Revolutions
1791	French inventor Claude Chappe develops a hilltop signalling system, for which he coins the words telegraph and semaphore Go to semaphore in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe Louis XVI and his family attempt to flee from Paris to the border but are captured at Varennes Go to Louis XVI (1754–93) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions Stationed at Valence, Napoleon becomes president of the local Jacobin club and makes radical speeches against the nobility and clergy Go to Jacobin in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Europe Wars and Revolutions
1792	France declares war on the Austrian emperor, an event that plunges Europe into more than 20 years of conflict Go to French Revolutionary Wars (1792–1802) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolutionary Wars Austrian empire Habsburgs War Europe Austria Empires Wars and Revolutions In a first demonstration of the guillotine, a highwayman is beheaded in a Paris square Go to guillotine in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Europe Wars and Revolutions A French officer, Rouget de Lisle, writes a stirring anthem for France, soon to be known as the Marseillaise Go to Marseillaise, La in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Performing arts Music Europe Wars and Revolutions Thomas Paine moves hurriedly to France, to escape a charge of treason in England for opinions expressed in his Rights of Man Go to Rights of Man, The in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Britain 1750-1900 Literature French literature English literature Literature in English Politics Protest and rebellion Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Britain A French revolutionary army defeats the Austrians and Prussians at Valmy, and thus saves Paris from attack Go to Valmy, Battle of (1792) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars War Battles Europe Wars and Revolutions After their success at Valmy, French republican armies overrun much of the Austrian Netherlands Go to Valmy, Battle of (1792) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars War Battles Europe Belgium Netherlands Wars and Revolutions During four September days, thugs are encouraged to massacre some 1400 aristocrats and priests held in Paris prisons Go to Septembermorde in The Oxford Companion to German Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Terrorism and assassination Europe Wars and Revolutions The National Convention abolishes royalty in France and establishes the first republic See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars Politics War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1793	Louis XVI is guillotined after a majority of just one in the national Convention has voted for death without delay Go to Louis XVI (1754–93) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions Rebellion breaks out in the Vendée and a peasant army marches against republican Paris Go to Vendée revolt (1793–4) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Wars and Revolutions 25-year-old Charlotte Corday gains access to prominent republican Jean-Paul Marat and stabs him in his bath See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Terrorism and assassination Europe Wars and Revolutions France becomes the first nation to attempt national conscription, calling up bachelors between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five Go to levée en masse (23 August 1793) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars War Europe Wars and Revolutions The French Convention adopts imaginative names for the months in their new republican calendar See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Social and domestic Europe Society Wars and Revolutions The Terror begins in republican France, with executions rising to more than 3000 in December Go to the Terror in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Terrorism and assassination Europe Wars and Revolutions English revolutionary Thomas Paine spends nearly a year in a French prison after opposing the execution of Louis XVI Go to Paine, Thomas (1737–1809) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Wars and Revolutions Napoleon's soldiers capture Toulon and his artillery fire forces the Anglo-Spanish fleet to withdraw from the harbour Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars War Battles Europe Wars and Revolutions
1794	Robespierre and St Just succeed in sending Danton and his faction to the guillotine in April See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Terrorism and assassination Europe Wars and Revolutions French chemist Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier is guillotined for having been involved with tax collection in the ancien régime Go to Lavoisier, Antoine‐Laurent de (1743–94) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Persecution and repression Europe Wars and Revolutions Robespierre and his faction go to the guillotine in July, in the final bloodletting of the Terror See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Politics Terrorism and assassination Europe Wars and Revolutions
1795	The 26-year-old Napoleon Bonaparte comes to public attention for his part in saving the Convention in Paris from an assault by rebels Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars Politics Protest and rebellion War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1796	Napoleon marries Josephine de Beauharnais, widow of Alexandre de Beauharnais, guillotined in 1794 Go to Joséphine (1763–1814) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Europe Wars and Revolutions French astronomer Pierre-Simon Laplace publishes his nebular hypothesis, arguing that the planets formed from a mass of incandescent gas Go to Laplace, Pierre Simon, Marquis de (1749–1827) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Science Astronomy and space Europe
1797	Pope Pius VI is seized by a French army in Rome and is taken off to captivity in France Go to Pius VI (1717–99) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Religion Christianity Papacy Rome Europe Italy On 18 Fructidor (September 4) Napoleon organizes, from a distance, a coup d'étât in Paris on behalf of three of the Directors Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution Napoleonic era Europe Wars and Revolutions
1798	The US public is outraged by news of the XYZ Affair, in which the French ask for bribes before being willing to negotiate a treaty Go to XYZ Affair in New Oxford American Dictionary (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Europe North America United States
1799	Napoleon abandons his army in Egypt and returns hastily to Paris at a time of great political opportunity Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty War Africa North Africa Egypt Europe Wars and Revolutions Napoleon contrives a military coup that ends the Directory and gives him sweeping powers as First Consul Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolution French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1800	Napoleon appoints a commission to prepare a code of civil law, which becomes known as the Code Napoléon Go to Code Napoléon in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century 19th century Napoleonic era Europe Napoleon takes a French army through the Alps before the snows have cleared, and defeats the Austrians at Marengo Go to Marengo, Battle of in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era War Battles Europe Italy Wars and Revolutions
1801	Napoleon mends France's fences with Roman Catholicism by agreeing a Concordat with Pope Pius VII Go to Pius VII (1742–1823) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Religion Christianity Papacy Europe Italy Both France and Britain, engaged against each other in the Napoleonic Wars, take the first census of their populations Go to Census Act (1800) in The Oxford Companion to British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain Bonaparte Crossing the Alps (in 1800) is the first of several paintings by Jacques-Louis David celebrating the future emperor Go to David, Jacques Louis (1748–1825) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1802	The treaty agreed at Amiens between France and Britain brings a welcome lull after ten years of warfare in Europe Go to Amiens, treaty of (1802) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Britain Josephine's daughter, Hortense de Beauharnais, marries Napoleon's brother Louis Bonaparte Go to Beauharnais, Hortense Eugénie de (10 April 1783) in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Europe The Constitution of the Year XII (the twelfth year of the French Revolutionary Calendar) makes Napoleon First Consul for life Go to First Consul in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Europe
1803	The peace of Amiens comes to an abrupt end when Britain declares war again on France Go to Amiens, treaty of (1802) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars and Revolutions Britain Napoleon assembles an invasion fleet against Britain, where Martello towers are hastily built in preparation Go to Martello towers in The Oxford Companion to Family and Local History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1804	Napoleon sends an ill-judged message to royalist opponents when he orders the seizure and execution of the young duke of Enghien Go to Enghien, Louis‐Antoine‐Henri de Bourbon, ducd' (1772–1804) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Europe Napoleon has himself proclaimed emperor of France by the Senate Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Napoleon crowns himself emperor of the French in a magnificent ceremony in Notre Dame Go to Napoleon I (1769–1821) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1806	Napoleon announces that Holland is to be a kingdom, with his 28-year-old brother Louis Bonaparte on the throne Go to Bonaparte, Louis (1778–1846) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Netherlands Napoleon imposes his Continental System, designed to strangle Britain's trade Go to Continental System in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Wars and Revolutions Britain French painter Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres moves to Rome and lives there for 18 years Go to Ingres, Jean Auguste Dominique (1780–1867) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting Italian painting French art Rome Europe Italy
1807	To counteract Napoleon's Continental System, Britain passes orders in council penalizing any vessel trading into French-held ports Go to Continental System in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Commerce and industry War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Wars and Revolutions Britain Napoleon and the Russian tsar Alexander I meet on a raft at Tilsit and set about carving up Europe Go to Tilsit, Treaties of (7) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Europe Russia Empires Wars and Revolutions
1808	Louis-Napoleon, the future Napoleon III, is born in Paris, the son of Napoleon's brother Louis and of Josephine's daughter Hortense Go to Napoleon III (1808–73) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Europe
1809	French chemist Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac shows that when gases combine they do so in simple ratios by volume (later known as his Law of Combining Volumes) Go to Gay-Lussac, Joseph Louis (1778–1850) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Chemistry Europe French biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck argues in Zoological Philosophy that creatures can inherit acquired characteristics Go to Lamarck, Jean Baptiste de in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Life sciences Europe Napoleon arranges to have his marriage to Josephine annulled so that he can marry the daughter of an emperor Go to Joséphine (1763–1814) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1810	Napoleon marries the Austrian archduchess Marie Louise, daughter of the emperor Francis I Go to Marie Louise (1791–1847) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Austrian empire Habsburgs Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe Austria Empires A French marshal, Jean Bernadotte, is offered the position of crown prince and heir to the Swedish throne Go to Charles XIV (1763–1844) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Sweden Wars and Revolutions
1811	Marie Louise gives birth to a boy, Napoleon's longed-for heir, to be known as the King of Rome Go to Marie Louise (1791–1847) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Europe
1812	French scientist Georges Cuvier introduces scientific palaeontology with his Research on the Fossil Bones of Quadrupeds Go to Cuvier, Georges, Baron (1769–1832) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Life sciences Europe Napoleon launches an attack on his ally, the Russian tsar Alexander I, with an army of more than 600,000 men Go to Alexander I (1777–1825) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era War Europe Russia Wars and Revolutions The French author Stendhal serves in the French army during the invasion of Russia Go to Stendhal (1783–1842) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Europe Napoleon arrives back in Paris ahead of the remains of his army, after losing half a million men in the Russian campaign Go to Napoleonic Wars (1803–15) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1813	The king of Prussia, Frederick William III, changes sides and declares war on France Go to Frederick William III (1770–1840) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era War Europe Germany Wars and Revolutions Wellington crosses the Bidassoa river in the north of Spain, bringing an enemy army on to French soil for the first time in twenty years Go to Wellington, 1st Duke of in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era War Europe Wars and Revolutions
1814	The Russian emperor and the Prussian king take a salute in the Champs Elysées after the allies capture Paris Go to Napoleonic Wars (1803–15) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era War Europe Wars and Revolutions Napoleon abdicates at Fontainebleau and the French senate invites Louis XVIII to return to reclaim his throne Go to Louis XVIII (1755–1824) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions Napoleon's first empress, Josephine, dies near Paris Go to Joséphine (1763–1814) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Europe Napoleon goes into exile on the island of Elba, which he immediately treats as a miniature state in need of improvement Go to Elba in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Italy Wars and Revolutions
1815	Napoleon slips away from Elba with a fleet of small vessels and lands on the coast of France Go to Napoleonic Wars (1803–15) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe Wars and Revolutions Napoleon reaches Paris, already accompanied by an enthusiastic regiment that has joined him on his journey north Go to Hundred Days (1815) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Napoleonic Wars 19th century Napoleonic era War Europe Wars and Revolutions Napoleon, held on a British warship off Torquay and hoping now to live in Britain, becomes an instant tourist attraction Go to Bellerophon, HMS in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Britain 1750-1900 Social and domestic Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain Jacques-Louis David, unmistakably identified as Napoleon's painter, is banished from France after the fall of the emperor and moves to Brussels Go to David, Jacques Louis (1748–1825) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Arts Painting Flemish and Dutch painting French painting French art Europe Belgium
1816	René Laënnec, reluctant to press his ear to the chest of a young female patient, finds a solution in the stethoscope Go to Laënnec, René Théophile Hyacinthe (1781–1826) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Medicine Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe
1820	French physicist André Marie Ampère begins his researches into the links between electricity and magnetism Go to Ampère, André Marie (1775–1836) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Physics Europe French painter Théodore Géricault begins a two-year visit to Britain Go to Géricault, Théodore in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting French painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles French art Europe Britain
1821	French physicist Augustin Jean Fresnel publishes the theory that light is a transverse wave, thus explaining polarization effects Go to Fresnel, Augustin Jean (1788–1827) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Physics Europe
1822	Egyptian hieroglyphs are deciphered by French Egyptologist Jean François Champollion, using the Rosetta stone Go to Champollion, Jean-François in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Africa North Africa Egypt Europe French physicist Augustin Jean Fresnel develops a more efficient form of lens for use in lighthouses Go to Fresnel, Augustin Jean (1788–1827) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Europe
1824	Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini moves to Paris, where he becomes director of the Théatre Italien Go to Rossini, Gioacchino Antonio in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe Italy The reactionary Charles X succeeds to the throne of France on the death of his brother Louis XVIII Go to Charles X (1757–1836) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1829	Gioacchino Rossini's opera William Tell has its premiere in Paris Go to Guillaume Tell in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe Italy
1830	Victor Hugo's romantic drama Hernani provokes a riot in the Paris audience on the first night Go to Hugo, Victor Marie (1802–85) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe A revolution erupts in Paris in July and sweeps Charles X from the throne Go to Charles X (1757–1836) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Louis-Philippe, the Citizen King, is welcomed in Paris in a new role – as 'king of the French, by the will of the people' Go to Louis Philippe (1773–1850) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe French author Stendhal publishes his novel Le Rouge et Le Noir ('The Red and the Black') Go to Stendhal (1783–1842) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe The Symphonie fantastique by French composer Hector Berlioz has its premiere in Paris Go to Berlioz, Hector (1803–69) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Europe
1831	Victor Hugo publishes his novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, in which the hunchback, Quasimodo, is obsessed with Esmeralda Go to Hugo, Victor in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1832	Napoleon's son, known now as the Duke of Reichstadt, dies of tuberculosis in Vienna Go to Napoleon II (1811–32) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Europe
1833	Hector Berlioz marries an Irish actress, Harriet Smithson, with whom he has been obsessed since seeing her play Ophelia and Juliet in 1827 Go to Smithson, Harriet (1800–54) in Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase & Fable (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music British Isles Europe Ireland Britain
1835	French zoologist Félix Dujardin identifies protoplasm, the viscous translucent substance common to all forms of life Go to Dujardin, Félix (1801–1860) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Life sciences Europe French author Honoré de Balzac publishes Le Père Goriot, one of the key novels that he later includes in La Comédie Humaine Go to Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe Alexis de Tocqueville publishes in French the first two volumes of his extremely influential study Democracy in America Go to Tocqueville, Alexis, Comte de (1805–59) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature American literature French literature Literature in English Politics Democracy and dissent Europe North America United States
1837	Hector Berlioz's requiem mass, the Grande messe des morts, has its first performance in Paris Go to Berlioz, Hector (1803–69) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Europe
1839	The French painter Gustave Courbet moves from his native town of Ornans to Paris Go to Courbet, Gustave (1819–77) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1840	Napoleon's remains are brought to Paris for burial in Les Invalides, as the Napoleonic legend grows Go to Invalides, Les in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Napoleonic era Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1842	Honoré de Balzac begins publication of a collected edition of his fiction under the title La Comédie Humaine Go to Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1844	Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels meet in Paris and become life-long friends Go to Engels, Friedrich (1820–95) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Communism Social and domestic Europe Society
1846	The self-contained metal cartridge, with a percussion cap in its base, is patented by a Paris gunsmith named Houiller Go to cartridge in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Technology Inventions and discoveries Weapons Europe
1848	A revolution in Paris in February removes Louis-Philippe and introduces France's second republic Go to Louis Philippe (1773–1850) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Protest and rebellion Europe The Communist Manifesto, by Marx and Engels, is published in Paris with the ringing slogan: 'Workers of the world, unite!' Go to Communist Manifesto in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Communism Protest and rebellion Europe Honoré de Balzac completes publication of La Comédie Humaine, a 17-volume collected edition of his numerous novels and stories Go to Balzac, Honoré de (1799–1850) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe Louis Napoleon is elected the first president of France's new Second Republic Go to Napoleon III (1808–73) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Europe
1851	French physicist Léon Foucault demonstrates the rotation of the earth by means of a long pendulum suspended in the Pantheon in Paris Go to Foucault's pendulum in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Physics Europe The president of France, Louis Napoleon, stages a coup d'état, rounding up his political opponents during a long December night Go to Napoleon III (1808–73) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1852	Louis Napoleon, asking the French people to approve his elevation to emperor as Napoleon III, receives a resounding yes in the plebiscite Go to Napoleon III (1808–73) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Democracy and dissent Dynasties and royalty Europe
1853	The hypodermic syringe with a plunger is simultaneously developed in France and in Scotland Go to hypodermic syringe in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Britain 1750-1900 Science Medicine Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Scotland British Isles Europe Britain
1856	Gustave Flaubert publishes Madame Bovary, a novel of frustrated romanticism in a provincial French context Go to Flaubert, Gustave in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1857	French chemist Louis Pasteur proves the existence of micro-organisms by showing that a liquid will only ferment if exposed to contamination from the air Go to Elysium in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Life sciences Europe Charles Baudelaire publishes his first and extremely influential collection of poems, Les Fleurs du Mal Go to Baudelaire, Charles in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
1858	Napoleon III and Cavour hatch a secret plan at Plombièes to tempt Austria into war in north Italy, and agree how to divide up the spoils Go to Cavour, Camillo Benso, Conte di (1810–61) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Italy Hector Berlioz completes his 4-hour opera The Trojans (not performed as a complete work until 1890) Go to Berlioz, Hector (1803–69) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe
1859	A French and Piedmontese army liberates Milan from Austrian rule Go to Milan in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Austrian empire Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Austria Italy Empires The opera Faust, by French composer Charles Gounod, has its premiere in Paris Go to Gounod, Charles François (1818–93) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe French and Piedmontese forces defeat the Austrians decisively at Solferino, in a battle involving appalling casualties Go to Solferino, Battle of (24 June 1859) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Austrian empire Habsburgs War Battles Europe Austria Italy Empires French author Stendhal publishes his novel La Chartreuse de Parme ('The Charterhouse of Parma') Go to Stendhal (1783–1842) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1860	The treaty of Turin brings much of north Italy under the control of Cavour (for the kingdom of Sardinia), who in return cedes Savoy and Nice to France Go to Cavour, Camillo Benso, Conte di (1810–61) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization Europe Italy
1862	Louis Pasteur uses heat to destroy the micro-organisms in liquid food, in the process that becomes known as pasteurization Go to pasteurization in A Dictionary of Public Health (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Europe Victor Hugo publishes his novel Les Misérables, an immensely complex story about the adventures of ex-convict Jean Valjean Go to Misérables, Les in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1867	French author Paul Verlaine wins a reputation with his first published collection, Poémes saturniens ('Saturnine Poems') Go to Verlaine, Paul (1844–96) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
1869	Young French artists Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir paint together in the open air at La Grenouillère, developing the Impressionist style Go to Impressionism in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe French part-time painter Henri Rousseau becomes known as Douanier ('customs officer') Rousseau because of his paid employment Go to Rousseau, Henri (21 May 1844) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1870	Coppélia, with choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon to music by Delibes, has its premiere at the Paris Opera Go to Coppélia in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe With public opinion in France outraged by the Ems telegram, the French government declares war on Prussia Go to Franco-Prussian War (1870–71) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics War Europe Germany 16-year-old Arthur Rimbaud sends some of his poems to Paul Verlaine, already an established poet Go to Rimbaud, Arthur (1854–91) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe French artist Claude Monet, fleeing from the Franco-Prussian War, arrives in London Go to Monet, Claude (14 Nov. 1840) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting French painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles French art Europe Britain Napoleon III is among 83,000 French prisoners captured by the Germans at Sedan in the Franco-Prussian war Go to Sedan, Battle of (1 September 1870) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Europe A French government of national defence deposes Napoleon III and proclaims the third French republic Go to Third Republic, French in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1871	The Prussian king, William I, is proclaimed emperor of a united Germany in the palace at Versailles Go to Deutsch-Französischer Krieg in The Oxford Companion to German Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War German empire Europe Germany Empires Troops of the new German empire march through Paris in a victory parade at the end of the Franco-Prussian war Go to Franco-Prussian War in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century War Europe An uprising results in the Paris Commune, followed by the siege of the city by French government forces Go to Paris, Commune of (1871) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Europe The Paris communards are overwhelmed in a battle at the Père Lachaise cemetery, which is followed by brutal reprisals Go to Paris Commune (1871) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Europe French author émile Zola publishes The Fortune of the Rougons, the first in a 20-novel series that he calls Les Rougon-Macquart Go to Zola, Émile (1840–1902) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1872	Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud move together to Brussels, and then to London, where they live a dissolute bohemian existence Go to Rimbaud, Arthur (1854–91) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Europe
1873	Verlaine is sentenced to two years in prison, at Mons in Belgium, after shooting and wounding Rimbaud in a drunken rage in Brussels Go to Verlaine, Paul (1844–96) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Europe French painter Edgar Degas finds inspiration in the onstage and backstage world of ballet dancers Go to Degas, Edgar Hilaire Germain (19 July 1834) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Painting French painting Performing arts Dance French art Europe
1874	A group of French artists, including Renoir, Monet and Degas, exhibit their work independently in the Paris studio of the photographer Nadar Go to Impressionism in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe French critic Louis Leroy uses the term 'impressionism' to ridicule Monet's Impression, Sunrise, and unwittingly names a movement Go to Monet, Claude (1840–1926) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1875	Georges Bizet's opera Carmen has its premiere in Paris and meets at first with a lukewarm response Go to Carmen in A Dictionary of Opera Characters (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe
1879	A congress in Paris, with Ferdinand de Lesseps as president, decides to construct a canal from coast to coast in Panama Go to Panama Canal in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Canals Technology Engineering Europe Society Latin America Central America
1880	Gustave Flaubert dies, with his novel Bouvard et Pécuchet incomplete Go to Flaubert, Gustave (1821–80) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1883	French artist Claude Monet moves to Giverny, where he creates and paints a famous lily pond Go to Monet, Claude (1840–1926) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1884	Verlaine publishes Les Poètes maudits, short studies of various 'cursed poets' – including Rimbaud Go to Verlaine, Paul (1844–96) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
1885	The Statue of Liberty, by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, is assembled in Paris before being shipped across the Atlantic Go to Liberty, Statue of in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe Louis Pasteur uses rabies inoculation to save the life of 9-year-old Joseph Meister, bitten by a rabid dog Go to rabies virus vaccines in A Dictionary of Public Health (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Medicine Europe Leaving his family in Copenhagen, French artist Paul Gauguin returns to Paris to paint full-time Go to Gauguin, Paul (1848–1903) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe French painter Georges Seurat develops the dotted style of impressionism that becomes known as Pointillism Go to Pointillism in The Grove Encyclopedia of Materials and Techniques in Art (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1886	Dutch painter Vincent Willem van Gogh moves from Antwerp to Paris Go to Van Gogh, Vincent (1853–90) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting Flemish and Dutch painting French painting French art Europe Belgium Netherlands
1888	Vincent van Gogh invites Paul Gauguin to come and paint with him at Arles, in the south of France Go to Van Gogh, Vincent (1853–90) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1889	Vincent van Gogh enters a psychiatric asylum in St Rémy as a voluntary patient Go to Van Gogh, Vincent (1853–90) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe The Second International is established by the Socialist parties of ten nations, meeting at a congress in Paris Go to International1 in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Communism Europe
c. 1892	The French chef Auguste Escoffier creates and names a dessert in honour of the Australian soprano Nellie Melba Go to Melba in An A-Z of Food and Drink (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Opera Social and domestic Australia and Oceania Europe Society Australia
1893	De Lesseps, on trial for his management of the Panama Canal company, is sentenced to five years in prison Go to Lesseps, Ferdinand de (1805–94) in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Canals Europe Society
1894	France and Russia, alarmed by Germany's ambitions, sign a defensive Franco-Russian alliance Go to Triple Entente in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Europe Russia Claude Debussy's tone poem L'Après-midi d'un faune has its premiere in Paris Go to Après-midi d'un faune', Prélude à ‘L’ in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Performing arts Music Europe The first competitive event for cars is held over a distance of 78 miles from Paris to Rouen Go to motor racing in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Sports and games Europe Society
1896	French physicist Antoine Henri Becquerel discovers in uranium salt the phenomenon of natural radioactivity Go to Becquerel, Antoine Henri (1852–1908) in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Physics Europe
1898	émile Zola sends an open letter to the French president, headed 'J'accuse!', drawing attention to the injustice done to Alfred Dreyfus Go to Dreyfus Affair in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Europe Marie Curie and her husband Pierre isolate a new element which they name polonium in honour of her native Poland Go to polonium in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Chemistry Europe Marie and Pierre Curie isolate the element radium, working without any protection because unaware of the danger of radioactivity Go to radium in A Dictionary of Public Health (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Chemistry Europe
1899	Belgian racing driver Camille Jenatzy is the first to drive faster than a mile a minute, reaching 65 mph in an electric car at Achères in France Go to electric motor in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Sports and games Europe Belgium Society At a retrial of Alfred Dreyfus a new court martial confirms his conviction for treason Go to Dreyfus Affair in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Europe Ten days after the court martial's verdict, Alfred Dreyfus is given a pardon by the president of France Go to Dreyfus Affair in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Europe
1900	Gustave Charpentier's opera Louise has Paris premiere at the Opéra-Comique Go to Louise in A Dictionary of Opera Characters (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century 1900s 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe
1901	A change of palette by Pablo Picasso takes him into what becomes known as his Blue Period Go to Picasso, Pablo (1881–1973) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1902	French automobile pioneer Leon Serpollet sets a new land speed record, driving a steam car at 75 mph along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice Go to steam engine in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s Steam 20th century Travel and transport Technology Engineering Europe Society Charles Pathé develops film facilities capable of mass production, in Vincennes near Paris Go to Pathé, Charles (1863–1957) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe The sculptor Aristide Maillol has his first one-man exhibition, at the Galerie Vollard in Paris Go to Maillol, Aristide (8 Dec. 1861) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe Claude Debussy's opera Pelléas et Mélisande has its premiere in Paris Go to Pelléas et Mélisande in A Dictionary of Opera Characters (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe French film pioneer Georges Méliès uses trick effects for his film Journey to the Moon Go to Méliès, Georges (1861–1938) in The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe William K. Vanderbilt drives the first internal-combustion car to win the land speed record, at 76 mph at Ablis in France Go to internal-combustion engine in A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Travel and transport Technology Engineering Europe Society
1903	Gertrude Stein leaves the USA to share with her brother an apartment in Paris that soon becomes a literary and artistic salon Go to Stein, Gertrude (3 Feb. 1874) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Literature American literature French literature Literature in English Europe North America United States Maurice Ravel sets to music romantic oriental poems by Tristan Klingsor in his song-cycle Shéhérazade Go to Ravel, (Joseph) Maurice (1875–1937) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe The annual Prix Goncourt is established in France, in accordance with the will of Edmond de Goncourt Go to Goncourt, Prix in The Oxford Companion to the Book (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Europe
1904	France and Britain sign an Entente Cordiale, resolving several colonial disputes and laying the foundation for a new alliance Go to entente cordiale (1904) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Gwen John makes her home in Paris, where she becomes Rodin's model and mistress Go to John, Gwen (22 June 1876) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Arts War French art Europe
1905	Henri Matisse completes his painting Luxe, Calme et Volupté Go to Matisse, Henri Emile Benoît (1869–1954) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe French psychologists Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon develop a scale by which to measure the 'mental age' of children Go to mental age n. in A Dictionary of Psychology (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Science Europe Pablo Picasso's palette becomes warmer as Blue evolves into Rose Go to Picasso, Pablo (1881–1973) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Henri Matisse, in the south of France, paints The Open Window, Collioure, the first of his many works on this theme Go to Matisse, Henri Émile Benoît (1869–1954) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Aristide Maillol has his first major success with a large sculpture at the Salon d'Automne in Paris Go to Maillol, Aristide (8 Dec. 1861) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe Claude Debussy completes the three symphonic sketches forming La Mer Go to Debussy, (Achille) Claude (1862–1918) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe Matisse, Derain and others, exhibiting in Paris their shockingly colourful new works, are dubbed fauves ("wild beasts") by a critic Go to Fauvism in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1906	More than 1200 French miners die in an underground explosion in the district of Calais Go to mine safety in A Dictionary of Public Health (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Social and domestic Europe Society Charles Pathé opens the first purpose-built luxury cinema, the Omnia-Pathé, in Paris Go to Pathé, Charles (1863–1957) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe The first Grand Prix of motor-racing is held near Le Mans over a 64-mile course Go to motor racing in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Sports and games Europe Society Pablo Picasso's portrait of Gertrude Stein prefigures cubism in its mask-like treatment of her face Go to Cubism in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Alfred Dreyfus is reinstated in the army after the French supreme court overturns his conviction for treason Go to Dreyfus case in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Social and domestic Europe Society Alfred Dreyfus is awarded the Légion d'Honneur ten days after his conviction has been annulled Go to Dreyfus Affair in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Social and domestic Europe Society A large retrospective exhibition in Paris gives Paul Gauguin a growing posthumous reputation Go to Gauguin, Paul (1848–1903) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Sergei Diaghilev mounts a major exhibition of Russian art at the Petit Palais in Paris. Go to Diaghilev, Sergei (1872–1929) in The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts French art Europe
1907	Michel Fokine creates the ballet Les Sylphides (originally called Chopiniana) to music by Chopin Go to Sylphides, Les in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev presents five concerts of Russian music in Paris Go to Diaghilev, Serge (31 March 1872) in The Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe Gertrude Stein meets Alice B. Toklas, who becomes her secretary and lifelong companion Go to Stein, Gertrude (3 Feb. 1874) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Europe Pablo Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, a violent transition into cubism, is a turning point in western art Go to Picasso, Pablo (1881–1973) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Anna Pavlova dances The Dying Swan, choreographed for her by Michel Fokine to music by Saint-Saëns Go to Dying Swan, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Russia
1908	Anatole France casts a satirical eye on human society in his novel L'île des pingouins ("Penguin Island") Go to France, Anatole (1844–1924) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe Sergei Diaghilev presents Fyodor Chaliapin in Boris Godunov at the Paris Opera Go to Chaliapin, Fyodor (Ivanovich) (1/13 Feb. 1873) in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe Georges Braque's Houses at L'Estaque introduces analytic Cubism Go to Cubism in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Claude Debussy completes Children's Corner, pieces for piano which include 'Golliwog's Cake Walk' Go to Children's Corner in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe The French critic Louis Vauxcelles describes Braque's latest landscapes as being composed of cubes, resulting in the term cubism Go to Vauxcelles, Louis (1870–1943) in A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1909	Michel Fokine becomes the choreographer for the ballet company that Sergei Diaghilev is taking to Paris Go to Fokine, Michel (1880–1942) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe Alexandre Benois becomes the first artistic director of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes Go to Benois, Alexandre (4 May 1870) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe French biologist Charles Nicolle discovers that epidemic typhus is transmitted by the body louse Go to Nicolle, Charles Jules Henri (1866–1936) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Science Medicine Europe André Gide publishes La Porte étroite ('Strait is the Gate') Go to Gide, André-Paul-Guillaume (1869–1951) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe René Lalique, originally known for his jewellery, sets up his own glass-making factory at Combes-la-Ville Go to Lalique, René Jules (1860–1945) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Arts Decorative arts French art Europe Diaghilev presents the first season of Ballets Russes in Paris, with Pavlova and Nijinsky in the company Go to Diaghilev, Serge (31 Mar. 1872) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Fokine's 1907 ballet Chopiniana is revised and given a new name, Les Sylphides Go to Fokine, Mikhail (5 May 1880) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Louis Blériot is the first to fly across the English Channel, winning the £1000 prize offered by the Daily Mail Go to Blériot, Louis (1872–1936) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Exploration Technology Engineering War Europe Society Set-designer Leon Bakst begins a long association with Diaghilev's Ballets Russes Go to Bakst, Léon (1866) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Performing arts Dance French art Europe
1910	Maurice Chevalier and Mistinguett perform together at the Folies-Bergère Go to Chevalier, Maurice (1888–1972) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Europe Schéhérazade, with choreography by Fokine, music by Rimsky-Korsakov and designs by Bakst, is premiered by the Ballets Russes in Paris Go to Scheherazade in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe The Firebird brings together Fokine (choreography), Stravinsky (music) and Golovine and Bakst (sets and costumes) Go to Firebird in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe Henri Matisse completes two large paintings, La Danse and La Musique, for the staircase of Sergei Shchukin's house in Moscow Go to Matisse, Henri (1869–1954) in A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1911	Le Spectre de la Rose, with choreography by Fokine, music by Weber and designs by Bakst, is premiered by the Ballets Russes in Monte Carlo Go to Spectre de la rose, Le in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe The ballet Petrushka brings together Fokine (choreography), Stravinsky (music) and Benois (sets and costumes) Go to Petrushka in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is stolen from the Louvre in Paris Go to Mona Lisa [Art] in The Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe French composer Henri Duparc publishes a complete edition of his songs Go to Duparc, Henri (1848) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe
1912	Coco Chanel opens a shop selling millinery in Deauville, in France Go to Chanel, Coco (1883–1971) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Commerce and industry Europe Society Marcel Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase, No.2 creates a stir Go to Duchamp, Marcel (28 July 1887) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Georges Braque's Fruit-Dish and Glass adds papier collé (a type of collage) to the conventions of cubism Go to Braque, Georges (13 May 1882) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Vaslav Nijinsky causes a sensation dancing in his own first ballet, L'Après-midi d'un faune, to music by Debussy Go to Nijinsky, Vaslav (12 Mar. 1889) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Guillaume Apollinaire coins the term Orphism for Robert Delaunay's distinctive style of abstraction Go to orphism in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Daphnis and Chloe, with choreography by Fokine, music by Ravel and designs by Bakst, is premiered by the Ballets Russes in Paris Go to Daphnis and Chloe in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe Jacob Epstein causes a stir with his provocatively modern angel on the tomb of Oscar Wilde in Père Lachaise Go to Epstein, Sir Jacob (10 Nov. 1880) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Sculpture Europe
1913	Marcel Duchamp creates Bicycle Wheel, his first 'assisted readymade', consisting of the wheel screwed upside down on a painted wooden stool Go to Duchamp, Marcel (28 July 1887) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky provoke uproar in Paris with The Rite of Spring for Ballets Russes Go to Rite of Spring, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe The cubist movement enters its second phase, deriving from the use of collage and known as Synthetic cubism Go to Cubism in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson discover the ozone layer in the stratosphere Go to ozone layer in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Science Europe Alain-Fournier completes his semi-autobiographical novel Le Grand Meaulnes Go to Alain-Fournier (1886–1914) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe Vaslav Nijinsky marries a Hungarian ballerina and is dismissed from the Ballets Russes by a jealous Diaghilev Go to Nijinsky, Vaslav (12 Mar. 1889) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Marcel Proust publishes at his own expense Swann's Way, the first volume of Remembrance of Things Past Go to Proust, Marcel (1871–1922) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe Leonardo's Mona Lisa is recovered two years after its theft when the thief, Vincenzo Perugia, tries to sell it to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence Go to Mona Lisa in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe
1914	Marcel Duchamp exhibits his first pure 'readymade', a bottle rack bought in a department store and displayed without alteration Go to Duchamp, Marcel (28 July 1887) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe August 3 - with her troops already poised to attack, Germany declares war on France Go to World War I (1914–18) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War German empire Europe Germany Empires Wars since 1900 August 7 - a small British Expeditionary Force is rushed across the Channel to Boulogne Go to British Expeditionary Force in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain August 10 - France declares war on the empire of Austria-Hungary Go to Austria-Hungary in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Austria Wars since 1900 September 3 - a Germany army crosses the river Marne in an advance towards Paris Go to Marne, Battles of the in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Europe Wars since 1900 September 5 - a French army halts the German advance, just 30 miles from Paris Go to Marne, Battles of the in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Europe Wars since 1900 September 8 - after a four-day battle, the French drive the German forces back over the river Marne Go to Marne, Battles of the in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Europe Wars since 1900 September 13 - the Germans adopt a defensive position at the river Aisne in northern France, in the first sign of the trench warfare that will characterize the entire war in the west Go to Aisne, battle of the (1914) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 from September - the German and French armies, attempting to outflank each other, engage in a race to the sea Go to Aisne, battle of the (1914) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Belgium Wars since 1900 British troops are driven to the western front in London Transport double-deckers Go to Western Front in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Belgium Wars since 1900 Britain November 5 - Britain and France declare war on the Ottoman empire Go to Ottoman Empire in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Empires Wars since 1900 Britain from November - with the battle lines stablized to the coast, the German and Allied armies settle in for years of gruesome trench warfare Go to trench warfare in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Belgium Wars since 1900
1915	Manuel de Falla's ballet El Amor Brujo, including the 'Ritual Fire Dance', is performed in Paris Go to Falla, Manuel de (1876) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe Radiotelephone messages are transmitted from Arlington in Virginia to the Eiffel Tower in Paris Go to Information and Communication Technology in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Technology Communication Europe North America United States March 21 - two German Zeppelin airships bomb Paris, causing 23 deaths Go to zeppelin in A New Dictionary of Eponyms (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 April 1 - the French aviator Roland Garros fires a machine gun through the propeller in his fighter plane, using metal plates to deflect any bullets that hit the propeller Go to Air Warfare in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Technology Inventions and discoveries War Weapons Europe Wars since 1900 September 25 - the British use chlorine gas for the first time in an attack on Loos, but in places it is blown back over the British lines when the wind changes Go to Loos, battle of (1915) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Europe Wars since 1900
1916	Britain and France sign the secret Sykes-Picot Agreement, dividing up spheres of influence in the Middle East Go to Sykes–Picot Agreement (1916) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Mesopotamia Asia West Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel Europe Britain In his Course in General Linguistics Ferdinand de Saussure provides the basis for the broader development of structuralism Go to Saussure, Ferdinand de (1857–1913) in A Dictionary of Critical Theory (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Europe Claude Monet begins the great cyclorama of water-lilies, Nympheas, that he donates to the French nation Go to Monet, Claude (14 Nov. 1840) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe The author H.H. Munro ('Saki') is killed by a sniper's bullet on a battlefield in France Go to Saki (1870–1916) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Literature French literature English literature Literature in English Fiction War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain February 21 - a German thrust against the French begins the year-long battle of Verdun Go to Verdun, Battle of in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Europe Wars since 1900 Feb 26 - a French troopship La Provence is torpedoed by a U-boat off Cape Matapan and sinks with the loss of nearly 1000 lives Go to World War I (1914–18) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 June 24 - an Allied advance in the valley of the Somme launches a four-month battle with very heavy casualties Go to Somme, Battle of the in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Europe Wars since 1900 September 15 - eleven British tanks go into pioneering but ineffective action at the battle of the Somme Go to Somme, Battle of the in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Technology Inventions and discoveries War Europe Wars since 1900 December 16 - Philippe Pétain becomes a French national hero for his successful defence of Verdun Go to Pétain, Philippe (b. 24 Apr. 1856) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900
1917	The French poet Guillaume Apollinaire is the first to use the term Surrealism Go to Surrealism in A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Wounded at the front on the Somme, the poet Wilfred Owen is invalided home to Britain Go to Owen, Wilfred (1893–1918) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Literature French literature Poetry War Europe Amedeo Modigliani's first Paris exhibition is immediately closed by the police because it contains paintings of nudes Go to Modigliani, Amedeo (12 July 1884) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Parade brings together Massine (choreography), Satie (music), Cocteau (libretto) and Picasso (sets and costumes) Go to Parade in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe Manuel de Falla's ballet The Three-Cornered Hat is produced by Diaghilev with choreography by Massine and designs by Picasso Go to Three-Cornered Hat, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe Paul Valéry wins praise for his long symbolic poem La Jeune Parque Go to Valéry, Paul (-Ambroise) (1871–1945) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe April 12 - Canadian troops take Vimy Ridge, subsequently the site of Canada's most important war memorial Go to Vimy Ridge, Battle of (9 April 1917) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Europe Wars since 1900 North America Canada October 15 - the dancer Mata Hari is executed in France as a German spy Go to Mata Hari (b. 7 Aug. 1876) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Social and domestic War Europe Society Wars since 1900 November 20 - suitable ground is selected by the British at the battle of Cambrai for the first serious deployment of their new tanks Go to Cambrai, battle of (1917) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Technology Inventions and discoveries War Europe Wars since 1900
1918	Wilfred Owen, having returned to the front, is killed by machine-gun fire a week before the end of the war Go to Owen, Wilfred (1893–1918) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Literature Poetry War Europe May - US troops are by now fighting in large numbers on the western front Go to Western Front in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Belgium Wars since 1900 North America United States July 18 - the Allies hold the Germans on the Marne and begin a successful counterattack with tanks Go to Marne, Battles of the in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Europe Wars since 1900 November 8 - the Allied commander-in chief, Marshal Foch, meets a German delegation in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiègne to discuss an armistice Go to Foch, Ferdinand (1851–1929) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Europe Germany Wars since 1900 November 11 - the Allies and the Germans finally agree the terms of an armistice at 5 a.m. Go to World War I (1914–18) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War British prime ministers - from 1830 US presidents Europe Germany Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900
1919	Léonide Massine, Ottorino Respighi and André Derain collaborate on the ballet La Boutique Fantasque Go to Boutique fantasque, La in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe French poets Louis Aragon and André Breton launch Littérature, a surrealist review Go to Aragon, Louis (1897–1982) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Europe Marcel Duchamp adds a moustache and beard to a postcard of the Mona Lisa, and gives it the subtly offensive French title LHOOQ Go to Duchamp, Marcel (28 July 1887) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Arts American art French art Europe North America United States Darius Milhaud provides the score for Jean Cocteau's pantomime ballet Le Boeuf sur le toit Go to Milhaud, Darius (1892–1974) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe January 18 - the delegates to the peace conference in Paris, mainly concerned with the terms to be imposed on Germany, hold their first session Go to Paris Peace Conference (1919–20) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900 April - delegates to the Paris peace conference unanimously establish the League of Nations Go to League of Nations in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900 June 28 - the peace treaty with Germany, ending the world war, is signed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles Go to Versailles, Treaty of (28 June 1919) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900
1920	After several less successful novels, the French writer Colette makes her reputation with Chéri Go to Colette (1873–1954) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe Charles-édouard Jeanneret launches and edits a radical architectural journal, L'Esprit Nouveau Go to Corbusier, Le (1887–1965) in A Dictionary of Modern Design (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe The Swiss architect Charles-édouard Jeanneret adopts the simpler Le Corbusier as a pseudonym in L'Esprit Nouveau Go to Corbusier, Le (1887–1965) in A Dictionary of Modern Design (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe A group of composers in Paris - Auric, Durey, Honegger, Milhaud, Poulenc and Tailleferre - become known as 'les Six' Go to Six, Les in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Performing arts Music Europe August - a punitive peace treaty, negotiated at Sèvres, is designed to dismember the Ottoman empire Go to Ottoman Empire in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 20th century Politics War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Empires Wars since 1900 November 11 - the body of an unknown French soldier is laid to rest in a chapel within the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and a few weeks later is buried at ground level beneath the arch Go to Arc de Triomphe in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 20th century Social and domestic War Europe Society Wars since 1900
1921	The Swiss architect Le Corbusier begins a 20-year partnership with his cousin, Pierre Jeanneret Go to Corbusier, Le. in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe
1922	James Joyce's novel Ulysses is published in Paris, by Sylvia Beach, because of censorship problems elsewhere Go to Joyce, James Augustine (1882–1941) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Literature French literature Poetry British Isles Europe Ireland Britain French fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel introduces a very successful perfume, calling it Chanel No. 5 Go to Chanel, Coco (1883–1971) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Social and domestic Europe Society Valéry's collection Charmes includes probably his best-known poem, 'Le Cimetière marin' Go to Valéry, Paul (-Ambroise) (1871–1945) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Literature French literature Poetry Europe
1923	France, with Belgian support, occupies Germany's industrial heartland in the Ruhr Go to Ruhr district in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics War Europe Germany Albert Roussel's opera-ballet Padmâvâti is premiered in Paris Go to Roussel, Albert (1869) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Opera Europe Le Corbusier publishes an influential collection of his articles under the title Towards a New Architecture Go to Corbusier, Le. in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe Arthur Honegger's Pacific 231, inspired by the sounds of a steam train, has its first performance in Paris Go to Honegger, Arthur (1892) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe
1924	Swimmer Johnny Weissmuller wins three Olympic gold medals in the Paris games, together with a bronze in water polo Go to Weissmuller, Johnny (1904–1984) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Sports and games Europe Society North America United States Le Train Bleu brings together Bronislava Nijinska (choreography), Darius Milhaud (music), and Coco Chanel (costumes) Go to Train bleu, Le in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe André Breton launches a new movement with his Manifesto of surrealism - Soluble fish Go to Breton, André (19 Feb. 1896) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Arts French art Europe
1925	Maurice Ravel and Colette provide music and libretto for the opera The Child and the Enchantments Go to Ravel, Maurice (7 Mar. 1875) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe A fashionable new style, Art Deco, derives its name from a Paris exhibition called the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs Industriels et Modernes Go to Art Deco in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Arts Decorative arts French art Europe Treaties signed at Locarno, in Switzerland, aim to stabilize and guarantee Germany's borders with France and Belgium Go to Locarno Pact (1925) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Europe Belgium Germany Switzerland African-American singer and dancer Josephine Baker is jazz hot in La Revue Nègre in Paris Go to Baker, Josephine (1906–1975) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Europe North America United States
1926	The Austrian architect Adolf Loos builds a house in Paris for the Romanian dadaist poet Tristan Tzara Go to Loos, Adolf (1870–1933) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe French author André Gide publishes his only novel, The Counterfeiters Go to Gide, André-Paul-Guillaume (1869–1951) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1927	French author François Mauriac publishes a novel of marital claustrophobia, Thérèse Desqueyroux Go to Thérèse Desqueyroux in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe Isadora Duncan dies in Nice when her scarf tangles in the wheel of a Bugatti sports car, breaking her neck Go to Duncan, Isadora (1877–1927) in A Dictionary of Sports Studies (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe North America United States
1928	Le Corbusier and other modernist architects set up the Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne (CIAM) Go to CIAM in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe Maurice Ravel writes Boléro as music for a ballet choreographed by Nijinska with designs by Benois Go to Bolero in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Performing arts Dance Music Europe The Kellogg-Briand Pact is drawn up by the US and France as a pledge to renounce war Go to Kellogg–Briand Pact (27 Aug. 1928) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Europe North America United States
1929	French author Jean Cocteau publishes Les Enfants Terribles, a novel about a brother and sister in a suffocatingly claustrophobic relationship Go to Cocteau, Jean (1889–1963) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe 20-year-old French composer Olivier Messiaen publishes eight Preludes for piano Go to Messiaen, Olivier (1908–1992) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe
1930	René Clair blends satire and surrealism in his film Sous les Toits de Paris, a dark comedy about a Parisian street singer Go to Clair, René (1898–1981) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Henri Matisse completes his Backsequence – four progressively simplified bronze relief sculptures (Nus de Dos) Go to Matisse, Henri Émile Benoît (1869–1954) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe French actor Jean Gabin makes his screen debut in Chacun sa Chance Go to Gabin, Jean (1904–1976) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe
1932	The French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson has his first exhibition, in the Julien Levy Gallery in New York Go to Cartier-Bresson, Henri (1908–2004) in A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Arts Photography American art French art Europe North America United States The newly formed Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo opens for its first season, with George Balanchine as ballet master Go to Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, Les in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe French playwright Jean Anouilh has his first play, L'Hermine, produced and published Go to Anouilh, Jean (1910–1987) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe The Bluebell Girls, formed by Margaret Kelly ('Miss Bluebell'), give their first performances in Paris Go to Bluebell Girls in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Dance Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain
1933	Hungarian photographer Brassaï publishes his photographs of the seedier side of Paris night life in Paris de Nuit Go to Brassaï (1899–1984) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Arts Photography French art Europe Gertrude Stein publishes a best-selling account of her own life under the title The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas Go to Toklas, Alice B[abette] (1877–1967) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Literature American literature French literature Literature in English Europe North America United States George Balanchine, Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht collaborate in Paris on Seven Deadly Sins, a ballet with songs Go to Seven Deadly Sins, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Europe
1934	US author Henry Miller publishes in Paris a largely sexual autobiography, Tropic of Cancer, about his life as an expatriate Go to Tropic of Cancer in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Literature American literature French literature Literature in English Fiction Europe North America United States Frédéric and Irène Joliot-Curie discover artificial radioactivity Go to Joliot-Curie, Irène (1897–1956) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Science Physics Europe Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grapelli form the Quintet du Hot Club de France Go to Reinhardt, Django (1910–1953) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe
1935	Pablo Picasso's Minotauromachy, a masterpiece of etching, prefigures some of the themes of Guernica Go to Picasso, Pablo (1881–1973) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Arts French art Europe Arthur Honegger's opera Joan of Arc at the Stake has its premiere in Basel Go to Honegger, Arthur (1892–1955) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe French cabaret singer Edith Gassion acquires the nickname la môme piaf ('the little sparrow'), and so becomes Edith Piaf Go to Piaf, Edith (1915–1963) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe
1936	The Spanish Civil War causes the Basque designer Cristobal Balenciaga to move his business to Paris, capital of the fashion world Go to Balenciaga, Cristóbal (1895–1972) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Arts Decorative arts French art Europe Spain
1937	French film director Jean Renoir makes La Grande Illusion, set in World War I Go to Renoir, Jean (1894–1979) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Pablo Picasso's massive painting Guernica is exhibited in the Spanish pavilion at the World Fair in Paris Go to Guernica in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Arts Painting French painting French art Europe Spain
1938	French writer Jean-Paul Sartre succeeds with his first novel, La Nausée ('Nausea') Go to Sartre, Jean‐Paul (1905–80) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe
1939	US author Henry Miller publishes in Paris Tropic of Capricorn, about his adolescence in New York Go to Miller, Henry (1891–1980) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Literature American literature French literature Literature in English Fiction Europe North America United States Igor Stravinsky moves to the USA from Paris, his home for nearly 30 years, and settles in Hollywood Go to Stravinsky, Igor Feodorovich (1882–1971) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe North America United States March 31 - the recent fate of Czechoslovakia prompts France and Britain to guarantee the security of Poland Go to Poland, Guarantee of in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s Second World War 20th century Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British prime ministers - from 1830 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 Britain September 3 - Britain and France, receiving no answer from Hitler to their ultimatum over his attack on Poland, declare war on Germany Go to World War 2 (1939–45) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British prime ministers - from 1830 Europe Germany Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 Britain French troops rush to defend France's border with Germany, along the heavily fortified Maginot Line Go to Maginot Line in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 A British Expeditionary Force (BEF) of about 150,000 infantry crosses the Channel to help defend France's border with Belgium Go to British Expeditionary Force in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain
1940	Roger Schutz establishes an ecumenical religious order at Taizé in France Go to Taizé Community in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Religion Christianity Europe Schoolboys, out hunting, discover paintings in a cave at Lascaux after their dog falls into a hole Go to Lascaux, France in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Science Europe May 10 - German troops force their way into France through the Ardennes, launching the Battle of France Go to Maginot Line in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 May 11 - the French rely on the heavily fortified Maginot Line to keep out the Germans, but they outflank it Go to Maginot Line in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 May - a German army races west through northern France, aiming to cut off the Allied troops in Belgium Go to Dyle Line in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 May - fishing smacks and private launches are enlisted from southern England's coasts and rivers for a rescue mission across the Channel Go to Dunkirk in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain May 19 - German tanks reach the French coast at Abbeville, nine days after crossing the border from Germany Go to Blitzkrieg in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 May 26 - evacuation begins from Dunkirk, and over the next ten days some 860 vessels ferry troops across the Channel Go to Dunkirk Evacuation in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain June 4 - some 340,000 British and French troops have by now been rescued from Dunkirk, but a million Allied soldiers are now prisoners of the Germans Go to Dunkirk Evacuation in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain June 10 - Mussolini declares war on a France already on the verge of defeat Go to Mussolini, Benito (1883–1945) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Italy Wars since 1900 June 14 - a German army takes Paris and pushes on further south into the Rhone valley Go to Blitzkrieg in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 June 16 - Marshal Pétain, French hero from World War I, becomes France's prime minister Go to Pétain, Henri Philippe (1856–1951) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 June 16 - Marshal Pétain, as the new premier of France, immediately asks Germany for an armistice Go to Pétain, H. O. Philippe (1856–1951) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 June 18 - Charles de Gaulle broadcasts to the French nation from London, declaring himself the leader of the Free French Go to Free French, the in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain June 20 - Mussolini invades France in the last-minute hope of gaining some territory in the armistice settlement Go to Maginot Line in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Italy Wars since 1900 June 22 - Adolf Hitler attends the signing of the armistice with France, in the railway carriage used for the armistice after the German defeat in 1918 Go to Vichy government (1940–45) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 June 22 - the armistice leaves France with the southern part of the country, with a new capital at Vichy Go to Vichy government (1940–45) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900 June 24 - a delegation from France, defeated and partly occupied by Germany, signs in Rome an armistice with Mussolini's Italy Go to Vichy government (1940–45) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Rome Europe Italy Wars since 1900 June 26 - the British government gives recognition to Charles de Gaulle as official leader of the Free French Go to Free French in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British prime ministers - from 1830 Europe Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 Britain
c. 1941	Henri Matisse, recovering from an operation, develops his technique of gouaches découpées (cut-out patches of painted paper) Go to Matisse, Henri Emile Benoît (1869–1954) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Arts French art Europe September - de Gaulle forms in London the French National Committee, a government in exile in London for the Free French Go to Free French, the in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900
1942	French author Albert Camus creates an early anti-hero in his novel The Outsider (L'étranger) Go to Camus, Albert (1913–60) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe French author Marguerite Duras makes her name with her partly autobiographical novel The Sea Wall Go to Duras, Marguerite (1914–1996) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Literature French literature Fiction Europe French music student Pierre Boulez joins a harmony class taught by Olivier Messiaen at the Paris Conservatoire Go to Boulez, Pierre (1925) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe April - Pierre Laval becomes head of the government in German-backed Vichy France Go to Laval, Pierre (1883–1945) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900 August 19 - Canadian troops provide most of the assault force in a disastrous raid on Dieppe Go to Dieppe Raid (19 Aug. 1942) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 North America Canada November 11 - Hitler, disregarding the armistice, sends German troops to take control of Vichy France Go to Vichy government (1940–45) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 November 27 - French crews in Toulon scuttle the fleet to prevent it falling into German hands Go to French fleet, scuttling of in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900
1943	French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre expounds his theory of existentialism in Being and Nothingness ('L'Être et le néant') Go to Sartre, Jean‐Paul (1905–80) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Literature French literature Philosophy Europe Pablo Picasso transforms a bicycle's handlebars and saddle into Head of a Bull Go to Picasso, Pablo (1881–1973) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Arts Sculpture French art Europe Jean-Paul Sartre begins a new career as a dramatist with his first play, The Flies ('Les Mouches') Go to Flies, The in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe
1944	June 6 - the Allies cross the Channel on D-day for the Normandy invasion Go to Normandy Campaign (1944) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain June 6 - British general Bernard Montgomery commands the Allied land forces in the Normandy Landing on D-day Go to D‐Day (6 June 1944) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain June 9 - two pre-constructed harbours, known by the code name Mulberries, are towed across the Channel to Normandy Go to Mulberry in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Wars since 1900 Britain June 10 - German troops massacre more than 600 civilians in the French village of Oradour Go to Oradour massacre in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics Persecution and repression War Europe Wars since 1900 August 15 - the Seventh US army, commanded by Alexander Patch, opens another front with a landing on the French Riviera Go to French Riviera in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 August 19 - George Patton gets a division of his Third US Army across the Seine southeast of Paris Go to Patton, George Smith (b. 11 Nov. 1885) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 August 19 - barricades are built in the streets as Parisians stage an impromptu uprising against the Germans Go to Paris rising in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 August 24 - tanks of the Second French Armoured Division are the first of the Allies to enter and liberate Paris Go to Paris, liberation of in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900 August 26 - General de Gaulle walks down the Champs Elysées, and then on to Notre Dame, to massive acclaim Go to de Gaulle, Charles (1890–1970) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900 December 16 - the Germans stage a counter-attack in the Ardennes region before being pushed back in the Battle of the Bulge Go to Ardennes offensive (1944) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Europe Wars since 1900
1945	Jean-Louis Barrault directs and stars in the film Les Enfants du Paradis Go to Barrault, Jean-Louis (1910–1994) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Le Corbusier's use of béton brut (raw concrete) introduces Brutalism Go to Brutalism in The Oxford Companion to Architecture (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe August 15 - the Allies celebrate V-J Day – victory over Japan and the end of the war Go to V-J Day in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Social and domestic War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Japan Australia and Oceania Europe Society Wars since 1900 Australia Britain North America Canada United States August 15 - a death sentence for the 89-year-old Vichy leader Philippe Pétain is commuted by de Gaulle to life imprisonment Go to Pétain, Philippe (b. 24 Apr. 1856) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900 October 15 - Vichy leader Pierre Laval, sentenced in a French court as a collaborator, is executed Go to Laval, Pierre (1883–1945) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics War Europe Wars since 1900
1946	Sonatine, for flute and piano, brings early success to French composer Pierre Boulez Go to Boulez, Pierre (1925– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe
1947	Capa, Cartier-Bresson and others found Magnum, a cooperative of leading photographers running their own picture agency Go to Magnum in The Oxford Companion to the Photograph (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Arts Photography French art Europe Francis Poulenc makes an opera of Guillaume Apollinaire's play Les Mamelles de Tirésias ('The Breasts of Tiresias') Go to Poulenc, Francis Jean Marcel (1899–1963) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe French designer Christian Dior introduces the 'New Look', a lavish feminine style of dress welcomed by all after wartime austerity Go to Dior, Christian (1905–57) in A Dictionary of Modern Design (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Social and domestic Europe Society Jean-Louis Barrault and his wife Madeleine Renaud establish their own company at the Théâtre Marigny in Paris Go to Barrault, Jean-Louis (1910–1994) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Europe
1948	Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier introduces the Modulor, an architectural unit based on the Golden Section Go to Corbusier, Le. in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe French composer Pierre Schaeffer writes the first pieces of musique concrète, and coins the term Go to musique concrète in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe Olivier Messiaen completes Turangaîlila-symphonie, a symphony in ten movements for an orchestra including ondes martenot Go to Turangalîla-symphonie in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe
1949	Roland Petit's ballet Carmen, starring himself and his wife Zizi Jeanmaire, is a sensation at its London premiere Go to Carmen in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe French ex-convict Jean Genet begins his literary career with an autobiographical Thief's Journal Go to Genet, Jean (1910–1986) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Europe French author Simone de Beauvoir publishes The Second Sex, a widely influential feminist polemic Go to de Beauvoir, Simone (1908–86) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Social and domestic Europe Society French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss publishes Elementary Structures of Kinship Go to Lévi-Strauss, Claude (1908–2009) in Dictionary of the Social Sciences (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Science Europe
1950	French dramatist Eugène Ionesco's play The Bald Prima Donna launches the Theatre of the Absurd Go to Absurd, Theatre of the in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe
1951	Six European nations agree to joint coal and steel production through the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Go to ECSC in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Commerce and industry Europe Society Henri Matisse completes the Chapel of the Rosary at Vence, with every detail designed by himself Go to Matisse, Henri (31 Dec. 1869) in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Architecture French architecture Painting French painting Europe
1952	French economist Jean Monnet becomes the first president of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Go to Monnet, Jean (1888–1979) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Commerce and industry Europe Society In his first book of Structures, for two pianos, Pierre Boulez provides a classic of serial music Go to Boulez, Pierre (26 March 1925) in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe Le Corbusier's completes his most massive modernist development, the Unité d'Habitation at Marseilles Go to Corbusier, Le. in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe
1953	Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot ('En attendant Godot') is first performed in French in Paris Go to Waiting for Godot in The Oxford Dictionary of Plays (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama British Isles Europe Ireland Britain French composer Olivier Messiaen uses birdsong with piano and orchestra in his Waking of the Birds Go to Messiaen, Olivier (Eugène Prosper Charles) (10 Dec. 1908) in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe French actor Jacques Tati directs and stars in the zany comedy Mr Hulot's Holiday Go to Tati, Jacques (1908–1982) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe
1954	19-year-old Françoise Sagan has a major international success with her first novel, Bonjour Tristesse Go to Sagan, Françoise (1935–2004) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Literature French literature Fiction Europe Le Corbusier completes the reinforced-concrete pilgrimage church of Notre Dame du Haut at Ronchamp Go to Corbusier, Le. in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe
1956	Brigitte Bardot is directed by her husband Roger Vadim in his first film, And God Created Woman Go to Bardot, Brigitte (1934– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe
1957	French critic Roland Barthes develops in Mythologies the theory of semiotics, relating to signs and symbols Go to Barthes, Roland (1915–1980) in Dictionary of the Social Sciences (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Europe Six founding nations (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, West Germany) establish the European Economic Community (EEC) Go to Rome, Treaty of (25 May 1957) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Commerce and industry Europe Germany Italy Society Spanish-born Paris designer Cristóbal Balenciaga produces an ostensibly shapeless garment, the 'sack', that greatly excites the world of fashion Go to Balenciaga, Cristóbal (1895–1972) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Arts Decorative arts Social and domestic French art Europe Spain Society Christian Dior dies and is followed by Yves St Laurent as head designer at the famous fashion house Go to St Laurent, Yves Mathieu (1936– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Arts Decorative arts Social and domestic French art Europe Society
1958	Vladimir Nabokov's novel Lolita is published in Paris Go to Lolita in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Literature American literature French literature Literature in English Fiction Europe North America United States The national assembly in Paris grants de Gaulle six months of unrestricted power as president – his condition for returning to government Go to Gaulle, Charles de (b. 22 Nov. 1890) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Europe On his second day in power, de Gaulle visits Algiers to confront the settlers with an unwelcome message Go to Gaulle, Charles de (b. 22 Nov. 1890) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 European empires in Africa Africa North Africa Europe Empires French citizens approve the new constitution proposed by de Gaulle, thus introducing the Fifth Republic Go to Fifth Republic, French in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Europe Charles de Gaulle is elected first President of France's Fifth Republic Go to De Gaulle, Charles (22 Nov. 1890) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Europe
1959	Francis Poulenc and Jean Cocteau collaborate on La Voix Humaine, a concerto for soprano voice and orchestra Go to Voix humaine, La in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe Hiroshima Mon Amour is French director Alain Resnais' first feature film, with screenplay by Marguerite Duras Go to Resnais, Alain (b. 1922) in The New Oxford Companion to Literature in French (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Asterix, written by René Goscinny and drawn by Albert Uderzo, makes his first appearance, in the French magazine Pilote Go to Astérix in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Arts French art Europe
1960	Jean-Luc Godard directs his first feature film, A Bout de Souffle ('Breathless'), a classic of French New Wave cinema Go to Godard, Jean-Luc (1930– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe
1961	Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev defects from the Kirov company at Le Bourget airport and seeks political asylum in France Go to Nureyev, Rudolf Hametovich (1939–1993) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Russia French film director François Truffaut makes Jules et Jim, starring Jeanne Moreau and Oskar Werner Go to Truffaut, François (1932–1984) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe Rudolf Nureyev makes his first appearance in a western company, dancing in The Sleeping Beauty for the Marquis de Cuevas Go to Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe
1962	President de Gaulle makes a surprise appointment, selecting the little-known Georges Pompidou to be the French premier Go to Pompidou, Georges Jean Raymond (1911–1974) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Europe In a series of informal meetings, Harold Macmillan tries to persuade Charles de Gaulle that Britain should join the EEC Go to European Economic Community in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Europe Britain
1963	French president Charles de Gaulle vetoes Britain's application to join the European Economic Community Go to European Economic Community in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Europe
1966	NATO headquarters moves to Brussels after de Gaulle expels all NATO personnel from French soil Go to NATO in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Europe Belgium
1968	A student revolt begins in Paris and sweeps through France, shaking de Gaulle's government Go to student revolt, France (May 1968) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Europe
1969	The Anglo-French airliner Concorde makes its first supersonic test flight Go to Concorde in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Travel and transport Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain President de Gaulle resigns after losing a plebiscite on government reform Go to de Gaulle, Charles André Joseph Marie (1890–1970) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Europe Georges Pompidou is elected president of France in succession to de Gaulle Go to Pompidou, Georges Jean Raymond (1911–1974) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Europe
1972	Jean-Marie Le Pen founds a neo-Fascist party in France, the National Front Go to Front National in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Europe
1974	Valéry Giscard d'Estaing defeats François Mitterrand in the French presidential election Go to Giscard D'Estaing, Valéry (1926– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Europe
1976	Pierre Boulez establishes in Paris IRCAM, an advanced institute for research into the techniques of modern music Go to Boulez, Pierre (1925) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Performing arts Music Europe
1977	Jacques Chirac, leader of a recently formed neo-Gaullist party, is elected mayor of Paris Go to Chirac, Jacques René (b. 29 Nov. 1932) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Europe The Pompidou Centre, designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, opens in Paris Go to Pompidou Centre in The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Architecture French architecture Europe
1981	Francçois Mitterrand defeats Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in the French presidential election Go to Mitterrand, François (26 Oct. 1916) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Europe 16-year-old ballerina Sylvie Guillem joins the Paris Opera Ballet Go to Guillem, Sylvie (23 Feb. 1965) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe
1983	Rudolf Nureyev begins a successful 6-year period as artistic director of the Paris Opera Ballet Go to Nureyev, Rudolf (17 Mar. 1938) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe Olivier Messiaen's opera St Francis of Assisi has its premiere in Paris Go to Messiaen, Olivier (1908–1992) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe Luc Montagnier, at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, discovers a new human retrovirus that he names LAV (later changed to HIV) Go to Montagnier, Luc (1932–) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Science Life sciences Europe
1985	US artist Christo tightly binds Paris's Pont Neuf in fabric, as one of his international series of wrapped iconic buildings Go to Christo (1935– ) in A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Arts American art French art Europe North America United States French racing driver Alain Prost wins the first of his four Formula One titles Go to Prost, Alain (1955– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Sports and games Europe Society
1986	Yves Montand and Gérard Depardieu star in Jean De Florette, adapted from a novel by Marcel Pagnol Go to Depardieu, Gérard (1948– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Film Europe
1987	Sylvie Guillem and Laurent Hilaire dance in the Paris premiere of William Forsythe's In the middle somewhat elevated Go to Guillem, Sylvie (23 Feb. 1965) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Performing arts Dance Europe
1989	French ballerina Sylvie Guillem moves from Paris to join the Royal Ballet in London Go to Guillem, Sylvie (23 Feb. 1965) in The Oxford Dictionary of Dance (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Performing arts Dance Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain
1990	Gérard Depardieu plays the title role in Cyrano de Bergerac, based on the play by Edmond Rostand Go to Depardieu, Gérard (1948– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Performing arts Film Europe
1993	US architect Ieoh Ming Pei completes his underground extension of the Louvre, surmounted by a glass pyramid Go to Pei, Ieoh Ming (1917– ) in A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Architecture American architecture French architecture Europe North America United States
1994	France's President Mitterrand and the British queen Elizabeth II together open the tunnel under the English Channel Go to Channel Tunnel in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Technology Engineering Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain Art, a play by French-born Iranian playwright Yasmina Reza, has its premiere in Berlin Go to Reza, Yasmina (1959– ) in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Literature French literature Drama Europe Potholers discover the world's oldest known paintings in the Chauvet cave in southern France Go to France in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Arts Painting French painting Science French art Europe
1995	Jacques Chirac defeats the Socialist candidate, Lionel Jospin, in the French presidential election Go to Chirac, Jacques (23 Nov. 1932) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Europe
1997	Diana, the Princess of Wales, and her friend Dodi Fayed die after a car crash in Paris Go to Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Europe
1998	The European Court of Human Rights replaces a preceding part-time court in Strasbourg Go to European Court of Human Rights in Australian Law Dictionary (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Europe
1999	A fire in the Mont Blanc road tunnel kills 39 people and closes the tunnel for three years Go to Mont Blanc in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Travel and transport Europe Society
2000	A Concorde supersonic airliner crashes after take-off from Paris, killing all 109 on board Go to Concorde in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Travel and transport Europe Society
2001	UK terrorist Richard Reid tries to bring down a Paris-Miami flight but fails to light the explosive in his shoe Go to Terrorism in Oxford Companion to Australian Politics (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Terrorism and assassination Europe North America United States
2004	Palestinian president Yasser Arafat dies in a hospital near Paris Go to Arafat, Yasser Mohammed (24 Aug. 1929) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia West Asia Palestine and Israel Europe
2005	The superjumbo Airbus A380 makes its first test flight from Toulouse See this event in other timelines: 21st century Travel and transport Technology Engineering Europe Society The French people become the first to reject, in a referendum, the proposed European Constitution Go to Constitution for Europe in The New Oxford Companion to Law (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Europe US cyclist Lance Armstrong retires from competition after winning a seventh successive victory in the Tour de France Go to Tour de France in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Sports and games Europe Society French surgeon Bernard Devauchelle and his team in Amiens carry out the first human face transplant Go to transplant in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Science Medicine Europe
2007	Nicolas Sarkozy defeats Ségolène Royal to become President of the French Republic Go to Sarkozy, Nicolas (28 Jan. 1955) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Europe

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date: 02 December 2023

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