Tours to France

	France is one of the oldest nations in the world with a history dating back to several thousand years. Travour brings to you a brief history of various phases of the history of France. We have divided the history of France into three sections - History of Ancient France, History of Medieval France and History of Modern France, for your convenience. History of Ancient France Recent archeological excavations suggest that the earliest signs of human settlement in France date back to Paleolithic times, about 2 million years ago. It's estimated that around 40, 000 BC, Homo sapiens inhabited most regions of present France with hunting and gathering being their occupation.

	From around 6000 BC, following the end of Ice Age, people started to settle in groups to herd animals and cultivate crops. The Iron Age in France is associated particularly with the Celts, who migrated from the Rhine valley during the first millennium BC. With the advent of Celts in Gaul or Gallia (as ancient France was known as) a more complex social hierarchy developed, consisting of warriors, farmers, artisans and druids (Celtic priests). Around 600 B.C. Greeks and Phoenicians too started to establish settlements along the Mediterranean, most notably at Marseille. During the 2nd century BC Romans emerged on the scene and annexed the southern fringe of France by 125-121 BC. The legendary Julius Caesar brought the rest of Gaul under Roman control during the Gallic Wars (58-51 BC). From the 3rd century AD, barbarian raids from Germany started to pose a threat to Roman supremacy in the region. The Germanic Franks ruined the Roman dominance in the region by the 5th century AD and began to settle throughout Gaul. The Franks provided political leadership and stability to region till 9th century AD, when France was socially and politically fragmented.
History of Medieval France The Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD divided the region into three territories corresponding roughly to France, Germany, and Italy among the three grandsons of Charlemagne (768 - 814 AD). Charles the Bald (845-51AD) inherited Francia Occidentalis, comprising of much of modern France and German-speaking areas east of the Rhine. Just about a century later, Hugh Capet, a prince who controlled only the Ile-de-France, emerged on the scene and captured the throne in 987 AD. For 350 years, his descendants for twelve generations consolidated their position and enjoyed complete royal authority in France. In 1328 AD, the accession of Philip VI took place, and soon in 1338 AD the "Hundred Years' War" was started against England. After France's victory in the Battle of Castillon in 1453 AD, the Valois destroyed the English challenge in the region with no French possessions left except Calais. During 16th century AD, Protestantism caused civil wars throughout France. Henry IV of the Bourbon dynasty issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598 AD, granting religious tolerance to the Huguenots (French Protestants). Absolute monarchy reached its apogee in the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715), the Sun King, whose brilliant court was the center of the Western world. More...