Vercingetorix (died 46 BC), chieftain of the Arverni, led the great Gallic revolt against the Romans in 53 and 52 BC. His name in Gaulish means “over-king” (ver-rix) of warriors (cingetos). As described in Julius Caesar’s Gallic_Wars, Rome had secured domination over the Celtic tribes beyond the Provincia Narbonensis (modern day Provence) through a careful [...]
France.com Blog
Albigensian Crusade
The Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) was part of the Roman Catholic Church’s efforts to crush the Cathars. The Cathars were especially numerous in southern France, in the region of Languedoc. They were termed Albigensians because of the movements presence in and around the city of Albi. Political control in Languedoc was split amongst many local lords [...]
Cathars
Catharism was a Gnostic heretical movement that originated around the middle of the 12th century AD. It existed throughout much of Western Europe, but its home was in Languedoc, in southern France. The name Cathars probably originated from catharos, the pure ones, maybe also from cattus cat which they were supposed to sexually abuse during [...]
Gaul
Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Roman name for the region of western Europe occupied by present-day France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. In English the word Gaul also means one of the inhabitants of that region in ancient times. The Gauls [...]
Merovingians
Descendants of the Salian Franks, this dynasty takes its name from Merovech, the ancestor of Clovis. The power of the first Merovingians was limited originally to the kingdoms of Cambrai, ruled by Clodio, and Tournai, governed by Childeric. Clovis (481-511), son of Childeric, soon extended his authority to all of Gaul. His conversion to Christianity [...]
History of Paris
The historical nucleus of Paris is the Ile de la CitÈ, a small island largely occupied by the huge Palais de Justice and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. It is connected with the smaller Ile Saint-Louis, occupied by elegant houses built in the 17th and 18th centuries. A major characteristic of Paris is its [...]
Armstrong says Wednesday is key day in Tour de France
FOR THE FIRST TIME: The Tour de France, in its 91st edition, features an individual time trial that will move up the winding face of the famous L’Alpe d’Huez. Cyclists will battle the clock while climbing 3,707 feet. There will be no teammates to pull the
French actor, singer Serge Reggiani dies at 82
PARIS, July 23 (AFP) – The French singer and actor Serge Reggiani died overnight of a heart atack at the age of 82, his agent said Friday.
Born in Italy in 1922, Reggiani came to France with his parents at the age of eight, and after acting schoo
Bourbon Dynasty
House of Bourbon Descended from France’s ruling Capetian dynasty, the house of Bourbon became monarchs of France, Spain and southern Italy. The Bourbon Dynasty owes its name to the marriage (1268) of Robert, count of Clermont, sixth son of king Louis IX of France, to Beatrice, heiress to the lordship of Bourbon. Their son Louis [...]
Valois Dynasty
The Valois Dynasty succeeded the Capetian Dynasty as rulers of France. They were descendants of Charles of Valois, the second son of King Philip III of France. Philippe VI, the Fortunate 1328-1350 Jean II, the Good 1350-1364 Charles V, the Wise 1364-1380 Charles VI, the Well-Beloved 1380-1422 Charles VII, the Victortius 1422-1461 Louis XI 1461-1483 [...]