Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc)
(1412-1431) Female soldier who, inspired by “divine guidance”, led the French army against the English and allowed them to win the Hundred Years War. She was captured by the British & burned at the stake as a heretic in 1431 at the young age of 19.
Victor Hugo
1802-1885: French Poet, Dramatist, and Author who wrote “Les Miserables” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
Emmanuel Macron
25th President of France (elected May 2017). Youngest president in France’s history (born 1977; current age: 40)
Marion Cotillard
(1975-) She is an actress, singer, songwriter, and musician. She received many awards, including a Golden Globe award, an Academy award, and two Cesar awards.
Louis Vuitton
1821-1892: He founded Louis Vuitton and was a fashion designer of leather bags.
Zinedine Zidane
(1972-) He is a retired French soccer player who was in 3 world cups and is the current manager of Real Madrid.
Coco Chanel (Gabrielle)
(1883-1971) She was a French fashion designer and businesswoman who made the Chanel clothing line and Chanel perfume.
Louis Pasteur
(1822-1895) He is a French biologist, microbiologist, & chemist who discovered the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurization who invented a vaccine for rabies and anthrax.
David Guetta
(1968-) He is a DJ and Songwriter who also co-founded Gum Productions with Jean-Charles Carré and Joachim Garraud.
Edith Piaf
(1915-1963) She is a French singer, songwriter, and actress. She has also been nicknamed, “Little Sparrow”.
Brigitte Bardot
(1934-) She is an actress, singer, model, and animal rights activist, . She was also married four times.
Gérard Depardieu
(1948-) He is a French actor, filmmaker, and businessman who was in the Life of Pi and has made over 170 movies since 1967.
Louis Braille
(1809-52) He was a French educator and inventor who invented the Braille system of reading and writing for blind people, including himself.
Louis et Auguste Lumière
(1864-1948 (Louis) 1862-1954 (Auguste)) They were brothers who patented the cinematographe (an early motion picture camera & projector) in 1895. They were some of the first ever filmmakers.
Andre the Giant
(1946-93) WWF Hall of Fame Pro wrestler, 7’5″, 525 lbs.
Louis XIV “Le Roi Soleil”
(1643-1715) “The Sun King” Reigned for 72 years
Napoleon Bonaparte
(1769-1821) Known as one of the world’s greatest military leaders. General during French Revolution (1789-99) and First French Emperor in 1804. Conquered much of Western Europe. Lost against the British during the Battle of Waterloo. Where the saying “You’ve met your Waterloo” comes from.
Jacques Cartier
French Explorer; mapped the St. Lawrence River in Canada/North America in the 1500s.
Gustave Eiffel
(1832-1922) Architect behind creation of Eiffel Tower; also helped create Statue of Liberty
Marie Curie
(1867-1934) Physicist and chemist; two-time Nobel Prize winner whose work led to the discovery of radioactivity and development of x-rays. It is believed she died from prolonged exposure to radium.
