From the Enlightenment and the French Revolution to colonialism in the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia, France has had a profound impact on the modern world. Famous for its cultural and political contributions to civilization, France now occupies a central role in the European Union, of which it is the largest member state.

A Brief History of France offers a broad overview of the country's history, from the prehistoric Neanderthals to the present nation at the heart of the European Union, while also exploring the country's geography, culture, and society. Loaded with black-and-white photographs, maps, and informative sidebars, this new resource paints a detailed picture for readers interested in this European country.

Coverage includes:

Migration and eventual defeat of the Gauls by the Romans under Julius Caesar
Wave of invasions of Germanic tribes from central and eastern Europe
Christianity and the Kingdom of the Franks
Joan of Arc and the making of the monarchy
The French Revolution
Republican rule
Food and fashion
Two world wars and the interwar years
Regeneration and transformation
Contemporary culture and leisure
Issues of cultural assimilation and multiculturalism in the 21st century.