List of French monarchs


The monarchs of the Kingdom of France and its predecessors ruled from the establishment of the Kingdom of the Franks in 486 until the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870, with several interruptions.
Sometimes included as 'Kings of France' are the kings of the Franks of the Merovingian dynasty, which ruled from 486 until 751, and of the Carolingians, who ruled until 987.
In August 843 the Treaty of Verdun divided the Frankish realm into three kingdoms, one of which was short-lived; the other two evolved into France and, eventually, Germany. By this time the eastern and western parts of the land already had different languages and culture. Accordingly this list of monarchs begins in 843, as this is the earliest date on which France may be said to exist. For the earlier Frankish kings see List of Frankish kings.
The Capetian dynasty, the male-line descendants of Hugh Capet, included the first rulers to adopt the title of 'King of France' for the first time with Philip II.
The Capetians ruled continuously from 987 to 1792 and again from 1814 to 1848. The branches of the dynasty which ruled after 1328, however, are generally given the specific branch names of Valois and Bourbon.
During the brief period when the French Constitution of 1791 was in effect and after the July Revolution in 1830, the style of "King of the French" was used instead of "King of France ". It was a constitutional innovation known as popular monarchy, which linked the monarch's title to the French people rather than to the possession of the territory of France.
With the House of Bonaparte, "Emperors of the French" ruled in 19th-century France between 1804 and 1814, again in 1815, and between 1852 and 1870.

Titles

The title "King of the Franks" gradually lost ground after 1190, during the reign of Philip II. It was used on coins up to the eighteenth century. During the brief period when the French Constitution of 1791 was in effect and after the July Revolution in 1830, the style "King of the French" was used instead of "King of France ". It was a constitutional innovation known as popular monarchy which linked the monarch's title to the French people rather than to the possession of the territory of France.
In addition to the Kingdom of France, there were also two French Empires, the first from 1804 to 1814 and again in 1815, founded and ruled by Napoleon I, and the second from 1852 to 1870, founded and ruled by his nephew Napoleon III. They used the title "Emperor of the French".
This article lists all rulers to have held the title "King of the Franks", "King of France", "King of the French" or "Emperor of the French". For other Frankish monarchs, see List of Frankish kings.
In addition to the monarchs listed below, the Kings of England and Great Britain from 1340–60, 1369-1420, and 1422–1801 also claimed the title of King of France. For a short time, this had some basis in factunder the terms of the 1420 Treaty of Troyes, Charles VI had recognized his son-in-law Henry V of England as regent and heir. Henry V predeceased Charles VI and so Henry V's son, Henry VI, succeeded his grandfather Charles VI as King of France. Most of Northern France was under English control until 1435, but by 1453, the English had been expelled from all of France save Calais, and Calais itself fell in 1558. Nevertheless, English and then British monarchs continued to claim the title for themselves until the creation of the United Kingdom in 1801.

Frankish Empire

Carolingian dynasty (to 888)

The Carolingian dynasty was a Frankish noble family with origins in the Arnulfing and Pippinid clans of the 7th century AD. The family consolidated its power in the 8th century, eventually making the offices of mayor of the palace and dux et princeps Francorum hereditary and becoming the real powers behind the Merovingian kings. The dynasty is named after one of these mayors of the palace, Charles Martel, whose son Pepin the Short dethroned the Merovingians in 751, and with the consent of the Papacy and the aristocracy, was crowned King of the Franks. Pepin's great-grandson Charles the Bald was king at the time of the Treaty of Verdun.
NameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Charles the BaldAugust 843
6 October 877Son of Louis the PiousKing of the Franks
Emperor of the Romans
Louis the Stammerer6 October 87710 April 879Son of Charles the FatKing of the Franks
Louis III10 April 8795 August 882Son of Louis the StammererKing of the Franks
Carloman II5 August 8826 December 884Son of Louis the Stammerer
Younger brother of Louis III		King of the Franks
Charles the Fat20 May 88513 January 888Son of Louis the German
Cousin of Louis II and Carloman II
Grandson of Louis the Pious		King of the Franks
Emperor of the Romans

Robertian dynasty (888–898)

The Robertians were Frankish noblemen owing fealty to the Carolingians, and ancestors of the subsequent Capetian dynasty. Odo, Count of Paris, was chosen by the western Franks to be their king following the removal of emperor Charles the Fat. He was crowned at Compiègne in February 888 by Walter, Archbishop of Sens.
NameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Odo of Paris
29 February 8881 January 898Son of Robert the Strong
Elected king against young Charles III.
Third Cousin of Louis II		King of the Franks

Carolingian dynasty (898–922)

Charles, the posthumous son of Louis II, was crowned by a faction opposed to the Robertian Odo at Reims Cathedral in 893, though he only became the effectual monarch with the death of Odo in 898. He was deposed and died in captivity.
NameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Charles the Simple28 January 89830 June 922Posthumous son of Louis II
Younger half-brother of Louis III and Carloman II		King of the Franks

Robertian dynasty (922–923)

NameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Robert I30 June 92215 June 923Son of Robert the Strong
Younger brother of Odo
Third cousin of Louis the Stammerer		King of the Franks

Bosonid dynasty (923–936)

The Bosonids were a noble family descended from Boso the Elder. A member of the family, Rudolph, was elected "King of the Franks" in 923.
NameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Rudolph
13 July 92314 January 936Son of Richard, Duke of Burgundy
Son-in-law of Robert I		King of the Franks

Carolingian dynasty (936–987)

NameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Louis IV of Outremer19 June 93610 September 954Son of Charles III the SimpleKing of the Franks
Lothair12 November 9542 March 986Son of Louis IVKing of the Franks
Louis V8 June 98622 May 987Son of LothairKing of the Franks

Capetian dynasty (987–1792)

After the death of Louis V, Hugh Capet, the son of Hugh the Great and grandson of Robert I, was elected by the nobility as king of France. The Capetian Dynasty, the male-line descendants of Hugh Capet, ruled France continuously from 987 to 1792 and again from 1814 to 1848. They were direct descendants of the Robertian kings. The cadet branches of the dynasty which ruled after 1328, however, are generally given the specific branch names of Valois and Bourbon.
Not listed below are Hugh Magnus, eldest son of Robert II, and Philip of France, eldest son of Louis VI; both were co-kings with their fathers, but predeceased them. Because neither Hugh nor Philip were sole or senior king in their own lifetimes, they are not traditionally listed as Kings of France and are not given ordinals.
Henry VI of England, son of Catherine of Valois, became titular King of France upon his grandfather Charles VI's death in accordance with the Treaty of Troyes of 1420; however this was disputed and he is not always regarded as a legitimate king of France. English claims to the French throne actually date from 1328, when Edward III claimed the throne after the death of Charles IV. Other than Henry VI, none had ever had their claim backed by treaty, and his title became contested after 1429, when Charles VII was crowned. Henry himself was crowned by a different faction in 1431, though at the age of 10, he had yet to come of age. The final phase of the Hundred Years War was fought between these competing factions, resulting in a Valois victory at the Battle of Castillon in 1453, putting an end to any meaningful claims of the English monarchs over the throne of France, though English monarchs would continue to use the title "King of France" until 1801.
From 21 January 1793 to 8 June 1795, Louis XVI's son Louis-Charles was the titular King of France as Louis XVII; in reality, however, he was imprisoned in the Temple throughout this duration, and power was held by the leaders of the Republic. Upon Louis XVII's death, his uncle Louis-Stanislas claimed the throne, as Louis XVIII, but only became de facto King of France in 1814.''

House of Capet (987–1328)

The main line of descent from Hugh Capet is known as the House of Capet. That line became extinct in 1328, creating a succession crisis known as the Hundred Years War. While there were numerous claimants to succeed, the two best claimants were the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet and then later the House of Lancaster.
PortraitCoat of armsNameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Hugh Capet3 July 98724 October 996Grandson of Robert IKing of the Franks
Robert II the Pious, the Wise24 October 99620 July 1031Son of Hugh CapetKing of the Franks
Henry I
20 July 10314 August 1060Son of Robert IIKing of the Franks
Philip I the Amorous
4 August 106029 July 1108Son of Henry IKing of the Franks
Louis VI the Fat29 July 11081 August 1137Son of Philip IKing of the Franks
Louis VII the Young1 August 113718 September 1180Son of Louis VIKing of the Franks
Philip II Augustus
18 September 118014 July 1223Son of Louis VIIKing of the Franks
King of France
Louis VIII the Lion14 July 12238 November 1226Son of Philip II AugustusKing of France
Louis IX the Saint
8 November 122625 August 1270Son of Louis VIIIKing of France
Philip III the Bold
25 August 12705 October 1285Son of Louis IXKing of France
Philip IV the Fair, the Iron King
5 October 128529 November 1314Son of Philip IIIKing of France and of Navarre
Louis X the Quarreller29 November 13145 June 1316Son of Philip IVKing of France and of Navarre
John I the Posthumous
15 November 131620 November 1316Son of Louis XKing of France and of Navarre
Philip V the Tall
20 November 13163 January 1322Son of Philip IV
Younger brother of Louis X		King of France and of Navarre
Charles IV the Fair3 January 13221 February 1328Son of Philip IV
Younger brother of Louis X and Philip V		King of France and of Navarre

House of Valois (1328–1589)

The death of Charles IV started the Hundred Years' War between the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet later the House of Lancaster over control of the French throne. The Valois claimed the right to the succession by male-only primogeniture, having the closest all-male line of descent from a recent French king. They were descended from the third son of Philip III, Charles, Count of Valois. The Plantagenets based their claim on being closer to a more recent French king, Edward III of England being a grandson of Philip IV through his mother, Isabella. The two houses fought the Hundred Years War to enforce their claims; the Valois were ultimately successful, and French historiography counts their leaders as rightful kings. One Plantagenet, Henry VI of England, did enjoy de jure control of the French throne under the terms of the Treaty of Troyes, which formed the basis for continued English claims to the throne of France until the 19th century. The Valois line would rule France until the line became extinct in 1589, in the backdrop of the French Wars of Religion. As Navarre did not have a tradition of male-only primogeniture, the Navarrese monarchy became distinct from the French, with Joan II, a daughter of Louis X, inheriting there.
PortraitCoat of armsNameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Philip VI the Fortunate
1 April 132822 August 1350Grandson of Philip III of FranceKing of France
John II the Good
22 August 13508 April 1364Son of Philip VIKing of France
Charles V the Wise8 April 136416 September 1380Son of John IIKing of France
Charles VI the Beloved, the Mad16 September 138021 October 1422Son of Charles VKing of France

House of Lancaster (1422–1453) (disputed)

PortraitCoat of armsNameKing fromKing untilClaimTitle
Henry VI of England
21 October 142219 October 1453By right of his father Henry V of England, who by conquest forced the French to sign the Treaty of Troyes became heir and regent of France. Grandson of Charles VI of France.King of France

House of Valois (1328–1589)

PortraitCoat of armsNameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Charles VII the Victorious, the Well-Served21 October 142222 July 1461Son of Charles VI
Uncle of Henry VI of England		King of France.
Louis XI the Prudent, the Cunning, the Universal Spider22 July 146130 August 1483Son of Charles VIIKing of France
Charles VIII the Affable30 August 14837 April 1498Son of Louis XIKing of France
Louis XII Father of the People7 April 14981 January 1515Great-grandson of Charles V
Second cousin, and by first marriage son-in-law of Louis XI
By second marriage husband of Anne of Brittany, widow of Charles VIII		King of France
Francis I the Father and Restorer of Letters
1 January 151531 March 1547Great-great-grandson of Charles V
First cousin once removed, and by first marriage son-in-law of Louis XII		King of France
Henry II
31 March 154710 July 1559Son of Francis I/Maternal grandson of Louis XIIKing of France
Francis II
10 July 15595 December 1560Son of Henry IIKing of France

King of Scots

''with Mary I
Charles IX5 December 156030 May 1574Son of Henry IIKing of France
Henry III
30 May 15742 August 1589Son of Henry IIKing of France

King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania

House of Bourbon (1589–1792)

The Valois line looked strong on the death of Henry II, who left four male heirs. His first son, Francis II, died in his minority. His second son, Charles IX, had no legitimate sons to inherit. Following the assassination of his third son, the childless Henry III, and the premature death of his fourth son Hercule François, France was plunged into a succession crisis over which distant cousin of the king would inherit the throne. The best claimant, King Henry III of Navarre, was a Protestant, and thus unacceptable to much of the French nobility. Ultimately, after winning numerous battles in defence of his claim, Henry converted to Catholicism and was crowned king, founding the House of Bourbon. This marked the second time the thrones of Navarre and France were united under one monarch; as different inheritance laws had caused them to become separated during the events of the Hundred Years Wars. The House of Bourbon would be overthrown during the French Revolution, replaced by a short-lived republic.
PortraitCoat of armsNameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Henry IV the Green Gallant Good King Henry
2 August 158914 May 1610Tenth generation descendant of Louis IX in the male line
By first marriage son in law of Henry II, Brother in law of Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III
Great-great-great-great grandson of Charles V
King of France and of Navarre
Louis XIII the Just14 May 161014 May 1643Son of Henry IVKing of France and of Navarre
Louis XIV the Great the Sun King14 May 16431 September 1715Son of Louis XIIIKing of France and of Navarre
Louis XV the Beloved
1 September 171510 May 1774Great-grandson of Louis XIVKing of France and of Navarre
Louis XVI the Restorer of French Liberty10 May 177421 September 1792Grandson of Louis XVKing of France and of Navarre


King of the French

Louis XVII
21 January 17938 June 1795Son of Louis XVI King of France and of Navarre

House of Bonaparte, First Empire (1804–1814)

The French First Republic lasted from 1792 to 1804, after which its popular First Consul, Napoléon Bonaparte, decided to make France a monarchy again. He took the popular title Emperor of the French instead of King of France and Navarre or King of the French to avoid all titles of the Kingdom of France making France's second popular monarchy.
PortraitCoat of armsNameEmperor fromEmperor untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Napoleon I
18 May 180411 April 1814
  • Founder of the Bonaparte dynasty
Emperor of the French

Capetian Dynasty (1814–1815)

Following the first defeat of Napoleon and his exile to Elba, the Bourbon monarchy was restored, with Louis XVI's younger brother Louis Stanislas being crowned as Louis XVIII. Louis XVI's son had been considered by monarchists as Louis XVII but he was never crowned and never ruled in his own right before his own death; he is not usually counted among French monarchs, creating a gap in numbering on most traditional lists of French kings. Napoleon would briefly regain control of the country during his Hundred Days rule in 1815. After his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon attempted to abdicate in favour of his son, but the Bourbon Monarchy was re-established yet again, and would continue to rule France until the July Revolution of 1830 replaced it with a cadet branch, the House of Orleans.

House of Bourbon, Bourbon Restoration (1814–1815)

PortraitCoat of armsNameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Louis XVIII the Desired11 April 181420 March 1815Grandson of Louis XV Younger Brother of Louis XVIKing of France and of Navarre

House of Bonaparte, First Empire (Hundred Days, 1815)

PortraitCoat of armsNameEmperor fromEmperor untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Napoleon I
20 March 181522 June 1815
  • Founder of the Bonaparte dynasty
Emperor of the French
Napoleon II the Eaglet

22 June 18157 July 1815Son of Napoleon I Emperor of the French

Capetian dynasty (1815–1848)

House of Bourbon (1815–1830)

PortraitCoat of armsNameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Louis XVIII the Desired7 July 181516 September 1824Grandson of Louis XV Younger Brother of Louis XVIKing of France and of Navarre
Charles X16 September 18242 August 1830Grandson of Louis XV Younger Brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIIIKing of France and of Navarre
Louis XIX Antoine2 August 18302 August 1830
'		Son of Charles X' King of France and of Navarre
Henry V
2 August 18309 August 1830
'		Grandson of Charles X
Nephew of Louis Antoine		' King of France and of Navarre

The Bourbon Restoration came to an end with the July Revolution of 1830, which deposed Charles X and replaced him with Louis-Philippe I, a distant cousin with more liberal politics. Charles X's son Louis signed a document renouncing his own right to the throne only after a 20-minute argument with his father; because he was never crowned he is disputed as a genuine king of France. Louis's nephew Henry was likewise considered by some to be Henry V, but the new regime did not recognise his claim and he never ruled.

House of Orléans, July Monarchy (1830–1848)

Under Louis-Philippe, the popular monarchy of France changed the styles and forms of the ancien régime, replacing them with more populist forms like replacing "King of France" with "King of the French").
PortraitCoat of armsNameKing fromKing untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Louis-Philippe I the Citizen King9 August 183024 February 1848Sixth generation descendant of Louis XIII in the male line
Fifth cousin of Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X		King of the French

Over the years Louis-Philippe grew more conservative. When a revolution broke out he fled to Great Britain leaving his grandson Prince Philippe, Count of Paris as King of the French. Two days later the Second French Republic was declared. He was never crowned, making him disputed as a genuine monarch.

House of Bonaparte, Second Empire (1852–1870)

The French Second Republic lasted from 1848 to 1852, when its president, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, was declared Emperor of the French. He took the regnal name of Napoleon III, after his uncle and his cousin.
Napoleon III would later be overthrown during the events of the Franco-Prussian War. He was the last monarch to rule France; thereafter, the country was ruled by a succession of republican governments.
PortraitCoat of armsNameEmperor fromEmperor untilRelationship with predecessorTitle
Napoleon III
2 December 18524 September 1870Nephew of Napoleon IEmperor of the French

Later pretenders

Various pretenders descended from the preceding monarchs have claimed to be the legitimate monarch of France, rejecting the claims of the president of France, and of each other. These groups are: