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Honored by Transitions AbroadFrance travel: A Historic Look
Enhance your France travel experience by learning a little more about the ancient history of the country. Beginning in 843, during the Middle Ages, the Carolingian Empire was divided by the Treaty of Verdun. Charles the Bald ruled over the approximate territory of modern day France. Throughout the Middle Ages, the crumbling of the Carolingian Empire continued and invasions by Vikings were prevalent. Latter centuries, the 12th to the early 14th were flourishing times for art and literature. Charles VII and Louis XI, both of France, gained control of France in the 15th century. With this expansion came an increasing sense of French identity. France's emergence as a powerful national monarchy was solidified after victory over England and the addition of the Duchy of Burgundy (1477) and Brittany (1532), which had previously been independent European states.
The early 16th century marked the beginning of the Renaissance. Of great influence in this period were various Italian artists, such as Leonardo Da Vinci. Following an increase in Protestantism between 1562 and 1598 were the Wars of Religion. Catherine de Medici ordered the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre ...