France History Guide

France History Guide - Car Hire France

History of France

One of the oldest nations of the world, France , has its history dating back to several thousand years. The history of France can be divided into three divisions that are History of Ancient France, History of Medieval France and History of Modern France.

History of Ancient France

Latest archaeological excavations imply that the most primitive signals of human colony in France were present from Paleolithic times which are almost 2 million years ago. It is projected that about 40, 000 BC, Homo sapiens populated most areas of present France . Their main occupation was hunting and gathering.

From about 6000 BC, subsequent to the end of Ice Age, people began to stay in groups by herding animals and nurture crops. The Celts migrating from Rhine valley marked the Iron Age of France. As soon as the Celts of Gaul started the development of social hierarchy became more complex. The social hierarchy then consisted of warriors, artisans, farmers and druids.

From and around 600 B.C. Greeks and Phoenicians also began to settle along the Mediterranean particularly at Marseille. In the 2nd century BC Romans took over the southern periphery of France by 125-121 BC. The well-known Julius Caesar added the remaining of Gaul under Roman power during the Gallic Wars.

History of Medieval France

The medieval history of France starts from 481 during which a 15-year old whose name was Clovis became head of his small Frankish ethnic group. He immediately started killing other members of his family and then fused other tribes.

The Viking invaders who sprang up during the early Middle Ages also had some influence on France . The Bayeux Tapestry, which is a masterpiece of medieval art, actually speaks of the events and tactics which were used during invasion. One of the most key rulers of medieval history of France was Charlemagne and whose empire was known as the Carolingian dynasty.

History of Modern France

Rent a car from Car Hire France and travel in France . Great philosophers like Voltaire and Rousseau, during the 18th century AD, made for big social shift in France . This was the time when the people rose in opposition to the previous aristocratic order. This actually triggered the 1789 Revolution. In 1945, the first Constituent Assembly collectively nominated de Gaulle as head of the French government. He relinquished his office in April 1969 and Georges Pompidou became his successor. A car from the Car Hire France will take you to different places of historical importance in France .