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| Monarchy of the Kingdom of France | |
|---|---|
 Royal Arms | |
| Incumbent | |
 Jean IV since 2019 | |
| Details | |
| Style | His Majesty, the King of France |
| Heir apparent | Prince Gaston Louis |
| Formation | C. 509 AD |
| Residence | Palace of Versailles |
France has long been ruled by monarchs ever since the establishment of the Kingdom of West Francia in 843, with several interruptions.
Classical French historiography usually regards Clovis I, king of the Franks (r. 507–511), as the first king of France. However, historians today consider that such a kingdom did not begin until the establishment of West Francia, during the dissolution of the Carolingian Empire in the 800s, despite this, all monarchs from Clovis I are listed here.
Frankish Monarchs[]
The Franks, Germanic-speaking peoples that invaded the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, were first led by individuals called dukes and reguli. The earliest group of Franks that rose to prominence was the Salian Merovingians, who conquered most of Roman Gaul, as well as the Gaulish territory of the Visigothic Kingdom, in 507 AD.
The sons of Clovis I, the first King of the Franks, conquered the Burgundian and the Alamanni Kingdoms. They acquired Provence, and went on to make the peoples of the Bavarii and Thuringii their clients. The Merovingians were later replaced by the new Carolingian dynasty in the 8th century. By the late 10th century, the Carolingians themselves had been replaced throughout much of their realm by other dynasties.
A timeline of Frankish rulers has been difficult to trace since the realm, according to old Germanic practice, was frequently divided among the sons of a king upon the king's death. However, territories were eventually reunited through marriage, treaty or conquest. There were often multiple Frankish kings who ruled different territories, and divisions of the territories were not very consistent over time.
As inheritance traditions changed over time, the divisions of Francia (the lands of the Franks) started to become kingdoms that were more permanent. West Francia formed the heart of what was to become the Kingdom of France; East Francia evolved into the Kingdom of Germany; and Middle Francia became the Kingdom of Lotharingia in the north, the Kingdom of Italy in the south, and the Kingdom of Provence in the west. West and East Francia soon divided up the area of Middle Francia.
The idea of a "King of the Franks" (Rex Francorum) gradually disappeared. The title "King of the Franks" is attested in the Kingdom of France until 1190, that of "Queen of the Franks" (for queen consorts) until 1227. That represented a shift in thinking about the monarchy from that of a popular monarchy, the leader of a people, sometimes without a defined territory to rule, to that of a monarchy tied to a specific territory.
| Portrait | Name Reign |
Birth | Marriage(s) Issue |
Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merovingian Dynasty | |||||
|
Merovech c. 450 – 458 (c. 8 years) |
Unknown | 1. unknown wife: 1 son | 27 November 511 Aged 44/45 Paris |
King of the Salian Franks |
|
Childeric I 458 – 481 (c. 23 years) |
Son of Merovech and an Unknown woman | 1. Basina of Thuringia: 4 children | c. 481
Tournai (present-day Belgium) |
King of the Salian Franks |
|
Clovis I 481 – 27 November 511 (c. 30 years) |
c. 466 Tournai Son of Childeric I and Basina of Thuringia | 1. unknown wife: 1 son 2. Clotilde, 493:4 children |
27 November 511 Aged 44/45 Paris |
King of the Salian Franks since 481; united all Franks under his rule by 509 |
|
Theuderic I 27 November 511 – Early 534 (c 22 years) |
c. 487 Paris Son of Clovis I and an earlier wife: Evochildis of Cologne | 1. Suavegotha, 510s: childless 2. Several concubines:at least 2 sons |
Early 534 Aged 46/47 |
Resided at Reims |
|
Chlodomer 27 November 511 – 524 (c. 13 years) |
c. 495 Reims Son of Clovis I and Clotilde | Guntheuc, 510s:3 sons | 524 Aged 28/29 Vézeronce | Resided in Orleans, conquered Burgundy |
|
Childebert I 27 November 511 – 13 December 558 (47 years 16 days) |
c. 496 ReimsSon of Clovis I and Clotilde | Ultragotha, 510s: 2 daughters | 13 December 558 Aged 61/62 Paris | Resided in Paris |
|
Chlothar I 27 November 511 – 29 November 561 (50 years 2 days) |
c. 497 Paris Son of Clovis I and Clotilde | 1. Guntheuc, 524: childless 2. Radegund, 538: childless 3. Ingund, 532: 4 children 4. Aregund, 536:1 son 5. Chunsina: 1 son |
29 November 561 Aged 63/64 Compiègne | Resided in Soissons Reunited the kingdom in 558 |
|
Theudebert I Early 534 – c. 548 (c. 14 years) |
c. 503 Metz Son of Theuderic I and a concubine (prob.) | 1. Deuteria, 534:1 son 2. Wisigard, 540:childless 3. Unknown wife, 540s:1 son |
c. 548Aged 44/45 | Resided at Reims |
|
Theudebald c. 548 – c. 555 (c. 7 years) |
c. 535 Son of Theudebert I and Deuteria |
Waldrada, 540s:Childless | c. 555Aged 19/20 | Resided at Reims |
|
Charibert I 29 November 561 – December 567 (c.6 years) |
c. 517 Paris Son of Chlothar I and Ingund | Ingoberga, 537: 4 children |
December 567 Aged 49/50 Paris |
Resided at Paris |
|
Guntram 29 November 561 – 28 March 592 (30 years 3 months 28 days) |
c. 534Soissons Son of Chlothar I and Ingund |
1. Veneranda:1 son 2. Marcatrude: 1 son 3. Austregilde: 2 sons |
28 March 592 Aged 59/60 Chalon-sur-Saône |
Resided at Orleans and Chalon-sur-Saône, ruled Burgundy Adopted Childebert II |
|
Sigebert I 29 November 561 – c. 575 (c. 14 years) |
c. 535Son of Chlothar I and Ingund | Brunhilda567 3 children | c. 575Aged 39/40 Vitry-en-Artois | Resided at Reims and Metz |
|
Chilperic I 29 November 561 - September 584 (c.22 years) |
c. 539 Paris Son of Chlothar I and Aregund | 1. Audovera, 540s: 5 children 2. Galswintha, 567: Childless 2. Fredegund, 568: 7 children |
September 584 Aged 44/45 Chelles | Resided at Soissons |
|
Childebert II c. 575 – March 595 (c. 20 years) |
c. 570 Son of Sigebert I and Brunhilda | Faileuba:4 children | March 595 Aged 24/25 |
Resided at Metz His mother Brunhilda acted as regent in his early years. Inherited Burgundy from Guntram |
|
Chlothar II September 584 – 18 October 629 (c. 45 years) |
c. 584 Paris Son of Chilperic I and Fredegund | 1. Haldetrude: 1 son 2. Bertrude, 613: childless 3. Sichilde, 618: 1 son |
18 October 629 Aged 44/45 |
Resided at Soissons His mother Fredegunde acted as regent in his early years. Reunited the kingdom. |
|
Theudebert II March 595 - 612 (c. 17 years) |
586 Son of Childebert II and Faileuba |
1. Bilichilde, 608: 2 children 2. Teodechilde, 610: 1 son. |
612 Aged 25/26 |
First son of Childebert II Resided at Metz His grandmother Brunhilda acted as regent in his early years. |
|
Theuderic II 612 – 613 (c. 1 year) |
587 Soissons Son of Childebert II and Faileuba |
Several paramours:4 sons | 613 Aged 25/26 Metz |
Second son of Childebert II Ruled Burgundy (with his grandmother Brunhilda), conquered Austrasia |
|
Sigebert II 613 – Late 613 (Less than a year) |
601 Son of Theuderic II and Ermenberge |
Unmarried | 613 Aged 11/12 |
Illegitimate son of Theuderic II Ruled Burgundy and Austrasia with his great-grandmother Brunhilda as regent. |
Kings in Neustria and Burgundy (613–679)[]
| Portrait | Name Reign |
Birth | Marriage(s) Issue |
Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merovingian Dynasty | |||||
|
|
Chlothar II September 584 – 18 October 629 (c. 45 years) |
c. 584 Paris Son of Chilperic I and Fredegund | 1. Haldetrude:1 son 2. Bertrude, 613:childless 3. Sichilde, 618:1 son |
18 October 629 Aged 44/45 |
Reunited the Kingdom |
|
Dagobert I 18 October 629 – 19 January 639 (9 years, 3 months and 1 day) |
603 Paris Son of Chlothar II and Haldetrude | 1. Gormatrude:childless 2. Nanthild, pre-629:1 son 3. Wulfegundis; childless 4. Berchildis:childless |
19 January 639 Aged 33/34 Épinay-sur-Seine |
Son of Chlothar II King in Austrasia 623-634 |
|
Charibert II October 629 – 8 April 632 (c. 2 years) |
607/617 Paris Son of Chlothar II and Sichilde | Gisela, daughter of Amand, Ruler of the Gascons 629 Chilperic | 8 April 632 Aged 15/25 Blaye, Gironde |
Son of Chlothar II Ruled Aquitaine |
|
Clovis II 19 January 639 – 27 November 657 (18 years, 10 months and 8 days) |
633 Paris Son of Dagobert I and Nanthild | Balthild, 640s:3 sons | 27 November 657 Aged 23/24 | Son of Dagobert I |
|
Chlothar III 27 November 657 – Spring 673 (c. 15 years) |
652 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | Unknown paramour: possibly 1 son | Spring 673 Aged 20/21 |
First son of Clovis II |
|
Theuderic III Spring 673 (Less than a year) |
654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | 1. Chrothildis, pre-675: 2 sons 2. Amalberga of Maubeuge, 674: 1 daughter 3. Several concubines: At least 3 children |
12 April 691 Aged 36/37 | Third son of Clovis II |
|
Clovis III September 675 – June 676 (c. 9 months) |
c. 670 Son of Chlothar III and unknown paramour | Unmarried | c. 676Aged 5/6 | Illegitimate son of Chlothar III King in Austrasia also claimed Neustria and Burgundy |
|
Childeric II Spring 673 – Autumn 675 (c. 2 years) |
653 Paris, Son of Clovis II and Balthild | Bilichild, 662: 2 sons | Autumn 675 Aged 21/22 | Second son of Clovis II King in Austrasia 662-675 |
|
|
Theuderic III Autumn 675 – 12 April 691 (c.15 years) |
654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild | 1. Chrothildis, pre-675: 2 sons 2. Amalberga of Maubeuge, 674: 1 daughter 3. Several concubines: At least 3 children |
12 April 691 Aged 36/37 |
Third son of Clovis II Also king in Austrasia after 679 |
Kings in Austrasia (623–679)[]
| Portrait | Name Reign |
Birth | Marriage(s) Issue |
Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merovingian Dynasty | |||||
|
|
Dagobert I 623 – 634 (c. 11 years) |
605 Paris Son of Chlothar II and Haldetrude |
1. Gormatrude: childless 2. Nanthild, pre-629: 1 son 3. Wulfegundis; childless 4. Berchildis: childless |
19 January 639 Aged 34/35 Épinay-sur-Seine |
Son of Chlothar II After 629 also King in Neustria and Burgundy |
|
Sigebert III 634 – 1 February 656 (c. 22 years) |
630 Son of Dagobert I and Ragnertrude (concubine) |
Chimnechild of Burgundy 651:2 children | 1 February 656 Aged 25/26 |
Son of Dagobert I |
|
Childebert III The Adopted 1 February 656 – 661 (c. 5 years) |
640s Son of Grimoald and Itta of Metz |
Unmarried | 661 Aged 20s |
Adoptive son of Sigebert III |
|
|
Chlothar III 661 – 662 (c. 1 year) |
649 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild |
Unknown paramour: possibly 1 son | Spring 673 Aged 23/24 |
First son of Clovis II Also King in Neustria and Burgundy |
|
|
Childeric II 662 – Autumn 675 (c. 13 years) |
654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild |
Bilichild, 662: 2 sons | Winter 691 Aged 21/22 |
Second son of Clovis II After 673 also King in Neustria and Burgundy |
|
|
Clovis III September 675 – June 676 (c. 9 months) |
c. 670 Son of Chlothar III and unknown paramour |
Unmarried | c. 676 Aged 5/6 |
Illegitimate son of Chlothar III Claimed rule also in Neustria and Burgundy |
|
Dagobert II c. 676 – 23 December 679 (c. 3 years) |
c. 650 Son of Sigebert III and Chimnechild of Burgundy |
Unknown woman | 23 December 679 Aged 28/29 Stenay |
Son of Sigebert III |
Later Kings of the Franks (679–751)[]
| Portrait | Name Reign |
Birth | Marriage(s) Issue |
Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merovingian Dynasty | |||||
|
|
Theuderic III Autumn 675 – 12 April 691 (c. 15 years) |
654 Paris Son of Clovis II and Balthild |
1. Chrothildis, pre-675: 2 sons 2. Amalberga of Maubeuge, 674: 1 daughter 3. Several concubines: At least 3 children |
12 April 691 Aged 36/37 |
Recognized king of all Franks after 23 December 679 |
|
Clovis IV 12 April 691 – 695 (c. 4 years) |
c. 677 Son of Theuderic III and Chrothildis |
Unmarried | 695 Aged 17/18 |
First son of Theuderic III |
|
Childebert IV The Just 695 – 23 April 711 (c. 16 years) |
c. 678Son of Theuderic III and Chrothildis |
1. Ermenchild: 1 son 2. Unknown paramour:1 son |
23 April 711 Aged 32/33 |
Second son of Theuderic III |
|
Dagobert III 23 April 711 – 31 December 715 (4 years, 8 months and 8 days) |
c. 699Son of Childebert III and Ermenchild |
1. Unknown wife: 1 son 2. Unknown paramour:1 son |
31 December 715 Aged 16 |
Second son of Childebert III |
|
Chilperic II Daniel 31 December 715 – 13 February 721 (5 years 1 month 13 days) |
c. 672Son of Childeric II and Bilichild |
Unknown woman: 1 son | 13 February 721 Aged 48/49 Attigny, Ardennes |
Second son of Childeric II First cousin of Dagobert III |
|
Theuderic IV 13 February 721 – 16 March/30 April 737 (16 years, 1 m. 3 d. or 2 m. 17 d.) |
c. 712Son of Dagobert III and unknown woman |
Unknown woman:1 son | 16 March/30 April 737 Aged 24/25 |
Son of Dagobert III |
|
Interregnum (737–741) – Charles Martel reigned as prince | ||||
|
Childeric III 741 – November 751 (c. 10 years) |
c. 717Son of Chilperic II and unknown woman |
Unknown woman:1 son | 754 Aged 36/37 |
Son of either Chilperic II or Theuderic IV |
| Carolingian Dynasty | |||||
|
Pepin The Short November 751 – 24 September 768 (16 years 10 months) |
714 Son of Charles Martel and Rotrude of Trier |
Bertrada of Laon 741 5 children | 24 September 768 Aged 54 Saint-Denis |
Elected by Frankish nobles |
|
Charles I The Great "Charlemagne" 24 September 768 – 28 January 814 (45 years 4 months 4 days) |
2 April 742 Son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon |
(1) Himiltrude (concubine) 768: 1 son (2) Desiderata of the Lombards 770: Childless (3) Hildegard 771: 9 children (4) Fastrada 784: 2 daughters (5) Luitgard 794: Childless (6) Several concubines: 6 children |
28 January 814 Aged 71 Aachen |
First son of Pepin the Short |
|
Carloman I 24 September 768 – 4 December 771 (3 years 2 months 10 days) |
28 June 751 Soissons Son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon |
Gerberga 741 2 sons | 4 December 771 Aged 20 Samoussy |
Second son of Pepin the Short |
|
Louis I The Pious 28 January 814 – 20 June 840 (26 years 4 months 23 days) |
16 April 778 Casseuil Son of Charles I and Hildegard |
(1) Ermengarde of Hesbaye 794: 6 children (2) Judith of Bavaria 819: 2 children |
20 June 840 Aged 62 Ingelheim am Rhein |
Second son of Charles I |
First French Kingdom 843-1792[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolingian dynasty | ||||
|
Charles II "the Bald" |
20 June 840 – 6 October 877 (37 year, 3 months and 16 days) |
Son of Louis the Pious and grandson of Charlemagne; recognized as king after the Treaty of Verdun | 12 April 691, Aged 36/37 |
|
Louis II "the Stammerer" |
6 October 877 – 10 April 879 (1 year, 6 months and 4 days) |
Son of Charles the Bald | 1 November 846 – 10 April 879 (aged 32) King of Aquitaine since 867. Died of natural causes. |
|
Louis III | 10 April 879 – 5 August 882 (3 years, 3 months and 26 days) |
Son of Louis the Stammerer | 863 – 5 August 882 (aged 19) Ruled the North; died after hitting his head with a lintel while riding his horse. |
|
Carloman II | 10 April 879 – 6 December 884 (5 years, 7 months and 26 days) |
Son of Louis the Stammerer | 866 – 6 December 884 (aged 18) Ruled the South; died after being accidentally stabbed by his servant. |
|
Charles (III) "the Fat" |
6 December 884 – 11 November 887 (2 years, 11 months and 5 days) |
Son of Louis II the German, king of East Francia, and grandson of Louis I | 839 – 13 January 888 (aged 48–49) King of East Francia since 876; crowned Emperor in 881. Last ruler to control all Frankish territories. Deposed by the nobility, later dying of natural causes |
| Robertian dynasty | ||||
|
Eudes, "of Paris" |
29 February 888 – 3 January 898 (9 years, 10 months and 15 days) |
Son of Robert the Strong; elected king by the French nobles following the deposition of Charles. Initially rivaled by Guy III of Spoleto and Ranulf II of Aquitaine | c. 858 – 3 January 898 (aged approx. 40) Defended Paris from the Vikings; died of natural causes |
| Carolingian dynasty | ||||
|
Charles III "the Simple" |
3 January 898 – 29 June 922 (24 years, 5 months and 26 days) |
Posthumous son of Louis II the Stammerer; proclaimed king in opposition to Odo in January 893 | 17 September 879 – 7 October 929 (aged 50)
Deposed by Robert's followers; later captured by Herbert II, Count of Vermandois. Died in captivity |
| Robertian dynasty | ||||
|
Robert I | 29 June 922– 15 June 923 (11 months and 17 days) |
Son of Robert the Strong and younger brother of Odo | 865 – 15 June 923 (aged 58) Killed at the Battle of Soissons against Charles III. Sole king to die in battle |
| Bosonid dynasty | ||||
|
Rudolph Rodolphe or Raoul |
15 June 923– 14 January 936 (12 years, 6 months and 30 days) |
Son of Richard, Duke of Burgundy and son-in-law of Robert I | Duke of Burgundy since 921. Died of illness after a reign of constant civil war and viking raids. Lost Lotharingia (Lorraine) to Henry I of Germany |
| Carolingian dynasty | ||||
|
Louis IV "from Overseas" |
19 June 936 – 10 September 954 (18 years, 2 months and 22 days) |
Son of Charles the Simple, recalled to France after being exiled to England | 921 – 10 September 954 (aged 33) Died after falling off his horse |
|
Lothair Lothaire |
10 September 954 – 2 March 986 (31 years, 5 months and 20 days) |
Son of Louis IV | 941 – 2 March 986 (aged 44) Died of natural causes |
|
Louis V "the Do-Nothing" |
2 March 986 – 22 May 987 (1 year, 2 months and 20 days) |
Son of Lothair | 967 – 22 May 987 (aged 20) Died in a hunting accident |
| Capetian dynasty | ||||
|
Hugh I "Capet" |
1 June 987 – 24 October 996 (9 years, 4 months and 23 days) |
Elected king by the French nobles. Son of Hugh the Great and grandson of Robert I | c. 940 – 24 October 996 (aged approx. 55) Duke of the Franks since 956. Died of natural causes. |
|
Robert II "the Pious" |
25 December 987 – 20 July 1031 (43 years, 6 months and 25 days) |
Only son of Hugh Capet | c. 970 – 20 July 1031 (aged approx. 60) Married thrice, getting excommunicated by the Catholic Church. Incorporated the Duchy of Burgundy |
|
|
Hughes II (junior king under Robert II) |
19 June 1017 – 17 September 1025 (8 years, 2 months and 29 days) |
Son of Robert II | c. 1007 – 17 September 1025 (aged approx. 18) |
|
Henry I | 14 May 1027 – 4 August 1060 (33 years, 2 months and 21 days) |
Son of Robert II | c. 1005 – 4 August 1060 (aged approx. 55) His reign was marked with internal struggle against feudal lords |
|
Philip I "the Amorous" |
23 May 1059 – 29 July 1108 (49 years, 2 months and 6 days) |
Son of Henry I | 1052 – 29 July 1108 (aged 56) Ruled under the regency of Anne of Kiev and Count Baldwin V until 1066 |
|
Louis VI "the Fat" |
29 July 1108 – 1 August 1137 (29 years and 3 days) |
Son of Philip I | 1081 – 1 August 1137 (aged 56) His reign contributed to the centralization of royal power. First king to wage war against the English |
|
Philippe (junior king under Louis VI) |
14 April 1129 – 13 October 1131 (2 years 5 months 29 days) |
Son of Louis VI | 29 August 1116 – 13 October 1131 (aged 15) |
|
Louis VII "the Young" |
25 October 1131 – 18 September 1180 (48 years 10 months 24 days) |
Son of Louis VI | 1120 – 18 September 1180 (aged 60) Known for his rivalry with Henry II of England and his military campaigns during the Second Crusade |
|
Philip II "Augustus" |
1 November 1179 – 14 July 1223 (43 years 8 months 13 days) |
Son of Louis VII | 21 August 1165 – 14 July 1223 (aged 57) Regarded as one of the greatest French rulers. First monarch to style himself as "King of France" |
|
Louis VIII "the Lion" |
14 July 1223 – 8 November 1226 (3 years, 3 months and 25 days) |
Son of Philip II | 5 September 1187 – 8 November 1226 (aged 39) Proclaimed king of England in 1216, after which he led an unsuccessful invasion |
|
Louis IX "the Saint" |
8 November 1226 – 25 August 1270 (43 years, 9 months and 17 days) |
Son of Louis VIII | 25 April 1214 – 25 August 1270 (aged 56) Ruled under the regency of Blanche of Castile until 1234. Died during the 8th Crusade; only king to be venerated by the Catholic Church |
|
Philip III "the Bold" |
25 August 1270– 5 October 1285 (15 years, 1 month and 10 days) |
Son of Louis IX | 3 April 1245 – 5 October 1285 (aged 40) Greatly expanded French influence in Europe. Died of a fever |
|
Philip IV "the Fair" Philippe |
5 October 1285 – 29 November 1314 (29 years, 1 month and 24 days) |
Son of Philip III | 1268 – 29 November 1314 (aged 46) King of Navarre (as Philip I) since 16 August 1284, following his marriage with Joan I. Remembered for his struggle with the Roman papacy and his consolidation of royal power, which helped to reduce the influence of feudal lords |
|
Louis X "the Quarreller" |
29 November 1314– 5 June 1316 (1 year, 6 months and 7 days) |
Son of Philip IV | 3 October 1289 – 5 June 1316 (aged 26) King of Navarre (as Louis I) since 2 April 1305. His short reign was marked by conflicts with the nobility |
|
John I "the Posthumous" |
15–19 November 1316 (4 days) |
Posthumous son of Louis X | King for the four days he lived; youngest and shortest undisputed monarch in French history |
|
Philip V "the Tall" |
20 November 1316 – 3 January 1322 (5 years, 1 month and 14 days) |
Son of Philip IV and uncle of John I | 1294 – 3 January 1322 (aged 28) King of Navarre as Philip II. Died without a male heir |
|
Charles IV "the Fair" |
3 January 1322 – 1 February 1328 (6 years and 29 days) |
Son of Philip IV and younger brother of Philip V | 1294 – 1 February 1328 (aged 34) King of Navarre as Charles I. Died without a male heir, ending the direct line of Capetians |
| House of Valois | ||||
|
Philip VI "the Fortunate" |
1 April 1328 – 22 August 1350 (22 years, 4 months and 21 days) |
Son of Charles, Count of Valois, grandson of Philip III and cousin of Charles IV | 1293 – 22 August 1350 (aged 57) His reign was dominated by the consequences of a succession dispute, which led to the Hundred Years' War. |
|
John II "the Good" |
22 August 1350 – 8 April 1364 (13 years, 7 months and 17 days) |
Son of Philip VI | April 1319 – 8 April 1364 (aged 45) Captured by the English at the Battle of Poitiers (1356); forced to sign a series of humiliating treaties |
|
Charles V "the Wise" |
8 April 1364 – 16 September 1380 (16 years, 5 months and 8 days) |
Son of John II; named Dauphin on 16 July 1349 | 21 January 1337 – 16 September 1380 (aged 43) His reign was marked with internal struggle against feudal lords |
|
Charles VI "the Mad", "the Beloved" |
16 Sept 1380 – 21 October 1422 (42 years, 1 month and 5 days) |
Son of Charles V | 3 December 1368 – 21 October 1422 (aged 53) Ruled under the regency of his uncles until 1388. Suffered a long period of mental illness before dying of natural causes |
|
Henry VI of England (claimant) |
21 October 1422 – 19 October 1453 (disputed; 31 years) |
Maternal grandson of Charles VI, recognized as heir after the Treaty of Troyes of 21 May 1420 | 6 December 1421 – 21 May 1471 (aged 49) King of England since 1 September 1422. Ruled under several regencies until 1437 |
|
Charles VII "the Victorious", "the Well-Served" |
21 October 1422 – 22 July 1461 (38 years, 9 months and 1 day) |
Son of Charles VI and uncle of Henry VI of England, named Dauphin in April 1417 | 22 February 1403 – 22 July 1461 (aged 58) His reign saw the end of the Hundred Years' War |
|
Louis XI "the Prudent" "the Universal Spider" |
22 July 1461 – 30 August 1483 (22 years, 1 month and 8 days) |
Son of Charles VII | 3 July 1423 – 30 August 1483 (aged 60) His reign saw the strengthening and expansion of royal power. Nicknamed "the Universal Spider" for the numerous intrigues during his rule |
|
Charles VIII "the Affable" |
30 August 1483 – 7 April 1498 (14 years, 7 months and 8 days) |
Son of Louis XI | 30 June 1470 – 7 April 1498 (aged 27) Ruled under the regency of his sister Anne until 1491. Started the long and unsuccessful Italian Wars. Died after hitting his head with a lintel |
|
Louis XII "Father of the People" |
7 April 1498 – 1 January 1515 (16 years, 8 months and 25 days) |
Great-grandson of Charles V. Second cousin, and by first marriage son-in-law, of Louis XI | 27 June 1462 – 1 January 1515 (aged 52) Briefly conquered the Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Milan |
|
Francis I "the Father of Letters" |
1 January 1515 – 31 March 1547 (32 years, 2 months and 30 days) |
Great-great-grandson of Charles V. First cousin once removed, and by first marriage son-in-law, of Louis XII | 12 September 1494 – 31 March 1547 (aged 52) Remembered as a Renaissance patron of the arts and scholarship. Died of a fever |
|
Henry II | 31 March 1547 – 10 July 1559 (12 years, 3 months and 10 days) |
Son of Francis I, named Dauphin in August 1536 | 31 March 1519 – 10 July 1559 (aged 40) His reign saw the end of the Italian Wars. Died after being accidentally stabbed in a Jousting tournament |
|
Francis II | 10 July 1559 – 5 December 1560 (1 year, 4 months and 25 days) |
Son of Henry II | 20 January 1544 – 5 December 1560 (aged 16) King consort of Scotland since 24 April 1558. A weak and sick boy, he remained under the regency of the House of Guise until his premature death |
|
Charles IX | 5 December 1560 – 30 May 1574 (13 years, 5 months and 25 days) |
Younger brother of Francis II | 27 June 1550 – 30 May 1574 (aged 23) Ruled under the regency of his mother Catherine until 1563, but remained under her influence until his death. The Wars of Religion began under his reign (1562). Best remembered for the Massacre of Vassy |
|
Henry III | 30 May 1574 – 2 August 1589 (15 years, 2 months and 3 days) |
Younger brother of Francis II and Charles IX | 19 September 1551 – 2 August 1589 (aged 37) Initially ruler of Poland–Lithuania. He reigned through the devastating Wars of Religion, which eventually led to his own assassination |
| House of Bourbon | ||||
|
Charles X (claimant) |
2 August 1589 – 9 May 1590 (disputed; 9 months and 7 days) |
7x great-grandson of Louis IX. Proclaimed king by the Catholic League in opposition to Henry of Navarre | 22 December 1523 – 9 May 1590 (aged 66) Imprisoned by Henry III on 23 December 1588; remained his entire "reign" in captivity. Died of natural causes |
|
Henry IV "the Great", "the Good King" |
2 August 1589 – 14 May 1610 (20 years, 9 months and 12 days) |
10th-generation descendant of Louis IX; also nephew of Charles (X) and by first marriage son-in-law of Henry II. Proclaimed king on Henry III's deathbed | 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610 (aged 56) King of Lower Navarre (as Henry III) since 10 June 1572. Killed in Paris on 14 May 1610 by Catholic fanatic François Ravaillac. |
|
Louis XIII "the Just" |
14 May 1610 – 14 May 1643 (33 years) |
Son of Henry IV | 27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643 (aged 41) Last King of Lower Navarre (as Louis II). Died of natural causes. |
|
Louis XIV "the Great", "the Sun King" |
14 May 1643 – 1 September 1715 (72 years, 3 months and 18 days) |
Son of Louis XIII | 5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715 (aged 76) Ruled under the regency of his mother Anne of Austria until 1651. Longest reigning sovereign monarch in history |
|
Louis XV "the Beloved" |
1 September 1715 – 10 May 1774 (58 years, 8 months and 9 days) |
Great-grandson of Louis XIV | 15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774 (aged 64) Ruled under the regency of Philippe II, Duke of Bourbon-Orléans, until 1723 |
|
Louis XVI "the Martyr" |
10 May 1774 – 21 January 1793 (18 years 8 months 11 days) |
Grandson of Louis XV | 23 August 1754 – 21 January 1793 (aged 38) Forced to install a constitutional monarchy after 1789. Formally deposed following the proclamation of the First Republic, executed in public |
|
Louis XVII "the Lost Prince" |
21 January 1793 – 8 June 1795 (2 years, 4 months and 18 days) |
Son of Louis XVI; named Dauphin on 4 June 1789 | 27 March 1785 – 8 June 1795 (aged 10) Imprisoned by the revolutionary forces on 13 August 1792. Remained his entire "reign" in captivity |
|
Louis XVIII "the Desired" |
8 June 1795 – 3 May 1814 (18 years 10 months 25 days) |
Younger brother of Louis XVI; later restored to the throne. | 17 November 1755 – 16 September 1824(aged 68)
Claimant |
First French Empire[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonaparte dynasty | ||||
|
Napoleon I "the Great" |
18 May 1804 – 2 April 1814 (9 years, 10 months and 15 days) |
First Consul of the French Republic following the coup d'etat of 19 November 1799; self-proclaimed Emperor of the French | 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 (aged 51) Conquered most of Europe in a series of successful wars; remembered as one of the greatest military commanders in history. Deposed in absentia and forced to abdicate, then exiled to the island of Elba |
|
Napoleon II "the Eaglet" |
4 – 6 April 1814 (2 days) |
Son of Napoleon I | 20 March 1811 – 22 July 1832 (aged 21) Unrecognized by the Coalition and the Senate, only named emperor in Napoleon's will. |
First Bourbon Restoration[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Bourbon | ||||
|
Louis XVIII "the Desired" |
3 May 1814 – 20 March 1815 (1st time; 10 months and 17 days) |
Younger brother of Louis XVI; proclaimed king in June 1795. Had his dynasty restored to the throne with the help of other European royal houses, which had dethroned Napoleon | 17 November 1755 – 16 September 1824 (aged 68) Fled France on 21 June 1791, during the Flight to Varennes, and again in March 1815, after the return of Napoleon |
100 Days[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Bonaparte | ||||
|
Napoleon I "the Great" |
20 March – 22 June 1815 (94 days) |
Restored as Emperor of the French by the French Army following his escape from the island of Elba | 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 (aged 51) Abdicated in favour of his son following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Exiled to the island of Saint Helena, where he later died of a stomach illness |
|
|
Napoleon II "the Eaglet" |
22 June – 7 July 1815 (15 days) |
Son of Napoleon I | 20 March 1811 – 22 July 1832 (aged 21) Unrecognized by the Coalition; remained his entire "reign" hidden in Austria, with his mother Marie Louise. Died of tuberculosis several years later |
Second French Kingdom[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Bourbon | ||||
|
Louis XVIII "the Desired" |
8 July 1815 – 16 September 1824 (9 years, 2 months and 8 days) |
Younger brother of Louis XVI; restored to the throne. | 17 November 1755 – 16 September 1824 (aged 68) Attempted to rule under a constitutional monarchy. Last French monarch to die while still reigning |
|
Charles X "the Autocrat" |
16 September 1824– 2 August 1830 (5 years, 10 months and 17 days) |
Younger brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII | 9 October 1757 – 6 November 1836 (aged 79) Leader of the Ultra-royalists; attempted to return to the Ancient Regime. Abdicated in favour of his grandson Henry after the July Revolution. |
|
Louis XIX "the Brief" |
2 August 1830 (20 minutes) |
Son of Charles X | 6 August 1775 – 3 June 1844 (aged 68) Allegedly king for 20 minutes; later legitimist pretender to the throne. |
|
Henry V "the Miracle Prince" |
2–9 August 1830 (7 days) |
Grandson of Charles X | 29 September 1820 – 24 August 1883 (aged 62) Later legitimist pretender to the throne. Died in exile several years later |
| House of Orleans | ||||
|
Louis Philippe I "the Citizen King" |
9 August 1830– 24 February 1848 (17 years, 6 months and 15 days) |
Sixth-generation descendant of Louis XIII and distant cousin of Charles X; proclaimed king by the Chamber of Deputies after the abdication of Charles X during the July Revolution | 6 October 1773 – 26 August 1850 (aged 76) Styled as King of the French. Formally deposed following the proclamation of the Second Republic. Abdicated in favour of his grandson |
|
Louis Philippe II | 24–26 February 1848 (2 days) |
Grandson of Louis-Philippe | 24 August 1838 – 8 September 1894 (aged 56) Chosen by Louis Philippe I to be his successor, however the National Assembly refused to recognize him as king and proclaimed the Second Republic. Later Orléanist pretender to the throne. |
Second French Empire[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Bonaparte | ||||
|
Napoleon III "the Small" |
2 December 1852 – 1 March 1871 (18 years 2 months 27 days) |
Nephew of Napoleon I; elected as President of the French Republic in 1848, made himself Emperor of the French after a coup d'état | 20 April 1808 – 9 January 1873 (aged 64) Captured by the German army on 2 September 1870; deposed in absentia following the proclamation of the Third Kingdom. |
Third and Fourth French Kingdom[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Birth | Marriages | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Orleans | |||||
|
Philip VII | 3 March 1871 – 8 September 1894 (23 years, 6 months and 5 days) 26 February 1848 - 8 September 1894 (46 years, 6 months and 13 days) |
24 August 1838 Paris Son of Prince Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orléans and Duchess Helen of Mecklenburg-Schwerin |
Princess Marie Isabelle of Orléans 30 May 1864 8 children |
8 September 1894 Stowe House Aged 56 |
|
Philippe VIII | 8 September 1894 – 28 March 1926 (31 years, 6 months and 20 days) |
24 August 1869 York House, Twickenham Son of Philippe, Count of Paris and Princess Marie Isabelle of Orléans |
Archduchess Maria Dorothea of Austria 5 November 1896 No children |
28 March 1926 Palermo Aged 56 |
|
Jean III | 28 March 1926 - 25 August 1940 (14 years, 4 months and 28 days) |
4 September 1874 France Son of Robert, Duke of Chartres and Marie-Françoise of Orléans |
Isabelle of Orléans 30 October 1899 4 children |
25 August 1940 Larache, Spanish Morocco Aged 65 |
|
Henri VI | 25 August 1940 - 19 June 1999 (58 years, 9 months and 25 days) |
5 July 1908 Chateau de Nouvion-en-Thiérache, Aisne, France Son of Jean, Duke of Guise and Isabelle of Orléans |
Isabelle of Orléans-Braganza 8 April 1931 11 children |
19 June 1999 Chérisy Aged 90 |
|
Henri VII | 19 June 1999 - 21 January 2019 (19 years, 7 months and 2 days) |
June 14, 1933 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Belgium Son of Henri, Count of Paris and Isabelle of Orléans-Braganza |
Marie Thérèse, Duchess of Montpensier, 5 July 1957:5 children Micaëla Cousiño Quiñones de León, 31 October 1984 (Civil), 26 September 2009 (Religious) |
21 January 2019 Paris Aged 85 |
|
|
Jean IV | 21 January 2019 - (Reigning) |
May 19, 1965 Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, France Son of Henri, Count of Paris and Marie-Thérèse of Württemberg |
Philomena de Tornos Steinhart 19 March 2009 5 children |
|
[]
formed by a group of cities that did not acknowladge the legitimacy of the deposition of the Bourbon dynasty, The Kingdom was officially recognized in 1871 in the trilateral dynastic agreement
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Succession | Life details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Bourbon | ||||
|
|
Henry IV "the Great", "the Good King" |
2 August 1589 – 14 May 1610 (20 years, 9 months and 12 days) |
10th-generation descendant of Louis IX; also nephew of Charles (X) and by first marriage son-in-law of Henry II. Proclaimed king on Henry III's deathbed | 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610 (aged 56) King of Lower Navarre (as Henry III) since 10 June 1572. Killed in Paris on 14 May 1610 by Catholic fanatic François Ravaillac. |
|
|
Louis XIII "the Just" |
14 May 1610 – 14 May 1643 (33 years) |
Son of Henry IV | 27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643 (aged 41) Last King of Lower Navarre (as Louis II). Died of natural causes. |
|
|
Louis XIV "the Great", "the Sun King" |
14 May 1643 – 1 September 1715 (72 years, 3 months and 18 days) |
Son of Louis XIII | 5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715 (aged 76) Ruled under the regency of his mother Anne of Austria until 1651. Longest reigning sovereign monarch in history |
|
|
Louis XV "the Beloved" |
1 September 1715 – 10 May 1774 (58 years, 8 months and 9 days) |
Great-grandson of Louis XIV | 15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774 (aged 64) Ruled under the regency of Philippe II, Duke of Bourbon-Orléans, until 1723 |
|
|
Louis XVI "the Martyr" |
10 May 1774 – 21 January 1793 (18 years 8 months 11 days) |
Grandson of Louis XV | 23 August 1754 – 21 January 1793 (aged 38) Forced to install a constitutional monarchy after 1789. Formally deposed following the proclamation of the First Republic, executed in public |
|
|
Louis XVII "the Lost Prince" |
21 January 1793 – 8 June 1795 (2 years, 4 months and 18 days) |
Son of Louis XVI; named Dauphin on 4 June 1789 | 27 March 1785 – 8 June 1795 (aged 10) Imprisoned by the revolutionary forces on 13 August 1792. Remained his entire "reign" in captivity |
|
|
Louis XVIII "the Desired" |
8 June 1795 – 16 September 1824 (29 years, 3 months and 8 days) |
Younger brother of Louis XVI; restored to the throne. | 17 November 1755 – 16 September 1824 (aged 68) Attempted to rule under a constitutional monarchy. Last French monarch to die while still reigning |
|
|
Charles X "the Autocrat" |
16 September 1824 – 6 November 1836 (12 years, 1 month and 21 days) |
Younger brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII | 9 October 1757 – 6 November 1836 (aged 79) Leader of the Ultra-royalists; attempted to return to the Ancient Regime. Abdicated in favour of his grandson Henry after the July Revolution. |
|
|
Louis XIX "the Brief" |
6 November 1836 - 3 June 1844 (7 years, 6 months and 28 days) |
Son of Charles X | 6 August 1775 – 3 June 1844 (aged 68) Allegedly king for 20 minutes; later legitimist pretender to the throne. |
|
|
Henry V "the Miracle Prince" |
3 June 1844 - 24 August 1883 (39 years, 2 months and 21 days) |
Grandson of Charles X | 29 September 1820 – 24 August 1883 (aged 62) Later legitimist pretender to the throne. Died in Pau |
|
Jean III | 24 August 1883 - 18 November 1887 (4 years, 2 months and 25 days) |
Direct descendant of Louis XIII | 15 May 1822 – 18 November 1887 (aged 65) his great-great-grandfather was brother to great-great-great-grandfather of Count of Chambord |
|
Charles XI | 18 November 1887 - 18 July 1909 (21 years and 8 months) |
oldest son | 4 February 1867 – 18 July 1909 (aged 61) |
|
Jacques I | 18 July 1909 - 2 October 1931 (22 years, 2 months and 14 days) |
only son | 27 June 1870 – 2 October 1931 (aged 61) |
|
Charles XII | 2 October 1931 - 29 September 1936 (4 years, 11 months and 27 days) |
paternal uncle | 12 September 1849 – 29 September 1936 (aged 87) |
|
Alphonse I | 29 September 1936 - 28 February 1941 (4 years and 5 months) |
second cousin once removed (his great-grandfather was brother to grandfather of Alphonse I | 17 May 1886 – 28 February 1941 (aged 54) |
|
Jacques II | 28 February 1941 - 20 March 1975 (34 years and 20 days) |
oldest living son (second son) | 23 June 1908 – 18 November 1887 (aged 67) |
|
Alphonse II | 20 March 1975 - 30 January 1989 (13 years, 10 months and 10 days) |
oldest son | 20 April 1936 – 30 January 1989 (aged 53) |
|
Louis XX | 30 January 1989 - Present (Reigning) |
oldest living son (second son) | |
Kings of Corsica[]
| Portrait | Name | Reign | Birth | Marriages | Death | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Bonaparte | ||||||
|
Napoleon I "the Great" |
18 May 1804 – 5 May 1821 (16 years, 11 months and 17 days) |
15 August 1769, Ajaccio son of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino |
• Joséphine de Beauharnais 9 March 1796 No children • Marie Louise of Parma 11 March 1810 1 son |
5 May 1821 Saint Helena aged 51 |
Declared Emperor of the French on May 18, 1804 |
|
Napoleon II "the Eaglet" |
22 June 1815 – 22 July 1832 (17 years and 1 month) |
20 March 1811, Paris son of Napoleon I and Marie Louise of Parma |
Unmarried | 22 July 1832 Vienna aged 21 |
Son of Napoleon I |
|
Joseph | 5 May 1821 - 28 July 1844 (23 years, 2 months and 23 days) |
7 January 1768, Corte son of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino |
Julie Clary 1 August 1794 2 children |
28 July 1844 Florence aged 76 |
Brother of Napoleon I, uncle of Napoleon II |
|
Louis I | 28 July 1844 – 25 July 1846 (1 year, 11 months and 27 days) |
2 September 1778, Ajaccio son of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino |
Hortense de Beauharnais 4 January 1802 3 children |
25 July 1846 Livorno aged 67 |
Brother of Joseph I |
|
|
Napoleon III "the Small" |
25 July 1846 – 9 January 1873 (26 years, 5 months and 15 days) |
20 April 1808, Paris son of Louis, Count of Saint-Leu and Hortense de Beauharnais |
Eugénie de Montijo 29 January 1853 1 son |
9 January 1873 Chislehurst, London aged 64 |
Son of Louis I |
|
Napoleon IV | 9 January 1873 – 1 June 1879 (6 years, 4 months and 23 days) |
16 March 1856, Paris son of Napoleon III and Eugénie de Montijo |
Unmarried | 1 June 1879 Zulu Kingdom (present-day KwaZulu-Natal) aged 23 |
Son of Napoleon III |
|
Napoleon V | 1 June 1879 - 3 May 1926 (46 years, 11 months and 2 days) |
18 July 1862, Paris son of Jérôme, Prince Napoléon and Maria Clotilde of Savoy |
Clémentine of Belgium 10 November 1910 2 children |
3 May 1926 Brussels aged 63 |
Grandnephew of Napoleon I, 2nd cousin of Napoleon IV |
|
Louis II Napoleon VI | 3 May 1926 - 3 May 1997 (71 years) |
23 January 1914, Brussels son of Napoléon V and Clémentine of Belgium |
Alix de Foresta 16 August 1949 4 children |
3 May 1997 Prangins aged 83 |
Son of Napoleon V |
|
Napoleon VII | 3 May 1997 - 3 May 2006 (9 years) (Abdicated) |
19 October 1950, Boulogne-Billancourt, son of Napoléon VI and Alix de Foresta |
Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg 17 October 2019 1 son |
Son of Napoleon VI | |
|
Napoleon VIII | 3 May 2006 - Present (Reigning) |
11 July 1986, Saint-Raphaël son of Charles, Prince Napoléon and Béatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies |
Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg 17 October 2019 1 son |
Son of Napoleon VII | |
