10 most famous French

Our rating includes the 10 most famous personalities in the history of France. Commander, politicians, actors, writers, fashion designers and even one person famous as a prototype of a literary character. Read and compare how our rating coincides with your ideas.

10th place. Andre Gigant (1946 – 1993) – Wrestler

Andre Rene Rusimov – the famous French fighter and actor. Noin the "eighth miracle of the world".

Growth – 2 meters 24 centimeters. Weight – 236 kilograms. It is the giant dimensions that allowed Andre to conquer countless titles, listened that there is not enough space in this article.

Giant sizes Andre received due to impaired brain pituitary function and excessive growth in growth hormone. As a result – disease acromegaly and death from a heart attack.

Andre was born in the city of Molien in the family of Bulgarian immigrant Boris Rusimov and Polish immigrant Marianna Rusymova. The symptoms of giantism at Andre appeared already in early childhood, at the age of 12, he was already height 1 meter 91 centimeter, weighed 94 kilograms.

Andre Rusimov for a long time could not find himself in life. Initially, he worked on the Father’s Farm, then he studied at the Woodworking Factory, worked at the factory where engines produced. However, these classes did not bring satisfaction.

At the age of 17, Andre moved to Paris and began to professionally fight. In 1966, at the age of 20 Andre meets Frank Valua – Canadian Manager. Career sharply went up, Andre begins to speak not only in France, but also in the UK, Germany, Australia and other countries. Titles begin to pour on Andre as from the horns of abundance.

March 26, 1973 Andre made his debut in the United States at WWWF Victory over Buddy Velf in New York. Career in the United States was very saturated, all key matches are difficult to remember even fans wwwf. The most memorable duel with Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania III in 1987.

Andre’s acting career is not so impressive, he starred in 13 films and TV shows. He died on January 27, 1993 in Paris in the hotel room, the cause of death is a heart attack. Two months after death, Andre became the first "resident" just opened the Hall of Glory WWF. It is believed that the Hall of Glory WWF is open in honor of him and for him.

9th place. Blaze Pascal (1623 – 1662) – scientist

Mathematician, physicist, inventor, theologian. The French are deservedly proud of them as their best in the history of scientists.

Born in France in the Overhead. In three years, the mother lost his mother, was brought up by her father – Etienne Pascal. Already from the young age, Blaise Pascal showed amazing abilities in mathematics. Already at the age of 16, he wrote his first serious scientific work "Mystical Hexagram". Now we know her as "Pascal Theorem". The famous mathematician Descartes, reading the work, did not believe in the authorship of a young blouse, he considered that the father of Etienne Pascal wrote the work.

At 18 years old took his first serious invention. Seeing the torment of the father with the calculation of taxes, he invented a mechanical calculator. This device could add and subtract numbers. In history, this calculator entered the "Pascaline", to this day "lived" only 8 copies.

In 1653, Blaise Pascal writes "Treatise on an arithmetic triangle". Now we call him "Pascal’s triangle". In 1654, the relief was actively rewritten with Pierre de Farm about the problems of gambling, and it was in their correspondence that the theory of probability was born.

But most of all we know Pascal, thanks to his work on physics. It was Pascal who opened a vacuum and atmospheric pressure, put the foundations of hydraulics and hydrodynamics. And now, in honor of him, the unit of pressure in the SI system is named. Standard atmospheric pressure is 100 kilo-paste, approximately 760 millimeters of mercury pillar.

The French know Pascal also as a writer – one of the most important authors of the classic period. Pascal wrote with irony and acutely, opposing his empirism Rene Descartes and his rationalism.

8th place. Claude Monet (1840 – 1926) – artist

Probably, it is Claude Monet worth recognizing the most famous French artist. He is the founder of impressionism. Even the term "impressionism" comes from the name of his picture "Impression", which was first shown at Salon De Paris exhibition in 1874.

Monet was born on November 14, 1840 in Paris. Catholic baptized as Oscar Claude, later he became an atheist. Interesting fact that parents preferred to call him the name Oscar.

In 1845, the Monet family moved to Normandia. Father dreamed that Oscar entered the family haberdashery business, but he himself dreamed of being an artist. Mother was a singer and supported this desire. As a result, the father retreated, and on April 1, 1851, Oscar entered the school of arts.

In 1861, Oscar Claude called for military service in the cavalry in Algeria for a period of 7 years. Father offered to buy off him from calling in exchange for refusal of painting. However, Oscar-Claude refused and went to serve. The service ended in a year due to abdominal sickness.

Since 1865, Monet is actively exhibited in Paris. His first famous work "Woman in a green dress" was presented, the model for the painting was Camilla Doneta – the future wife of Monet. They got married in the 1870s.

Despite the talent, Monet and Camilla, a majority of life spent in poverty. Monet style and other artists, such as Renuara and Pissarro, were ridiculed and rejected by the French Academy of Fine Arts. Artists showed their work themselves, and their successes were small.

Claude Monet died at the age of 86. For many years of creativity, he developed his unique style, which causes delight and to today. There are about 2500 of his work!

In 2004, one of his paintings of the "House of Parliament in London" series was sold for $ 20.1 million. In 2008, the drawing "Railway Bridge" was sold for $ 36.5 million and in the same 2008 picture "Water Lilies" is sold for 71.9 million.

7th place. Jeanne D’Ark (1412-1430) – Holy Warrior

The famous "Orleans Virgo" – the warrior and heroine of the Central War. Deception is captured and executed by the British, later the court of Pope is declared a martyr, later ranked in the face of saints.

History Zhanna Short and Sad.

The confrontation of England and France (next, not the first) began in 1340, but it was sluggish. In 1356, the British army landed in France and the heads broke the French in the battle when Poitiers. As a result, half of France was in the hands of the British. The confrontation lasted for more than 100 years, from which the name "Treasury War".

Zhanna was born about 1412 (the exact date is not established) in the family of peasants in the area of ​​Domremi, which is in the north-east of France. She was Archangel Mikhail and instructed the mission to liberate the country from the British. Jeanne appeared to Karl VII – the non-protected king of France.

Karl VII commissioned her to support the troops of the French, departing Orleans. Zhanna inspired soldiers, the city of Orleans was taken on the seventh day after her arrival. Next followed the series of loud victories of the French inspired by Zhanna. Reims was taken, and Karl VII was crowned the day after taking the city.

May 23, 1430 during an attack on the English camp near the city of Compène, several French officers were betrayed Joan, and she captured. The Court of British accused Jeanne in witchcraft and other sins, a death sentence was made.

On May 30, 1431, Zhanna d’Ark was burned on a fire. Later, the new court approved by Pope Callixt III, in 1456, justified Zhanna, recognized her martyr. Later in 1920, Zhanna was canonized, and now it should be called "Holy Jeanne".

In Europe, the tremendous popularity of Zhanna d’Ark is associated with several facts. First, it has always been a manner strong and purposeful woman, an example for imitation. Secondly, it became proof that God’s mission can be charged not only to people of noble origin, but also to any person, even the daughter of a simple peasant.

Nowadays, the popularity of Zhanna took off to the highest level after the magnificent Luke Luke "Zhanna d’Ark" with Mila Yovovich in the lead role. The film is historically plausible, we recommend to see if the life of Zhanna caused you.

6th place. Louis De Füne (1914 – 1983) – actor

Famous French Comedy Actor. It is called one of the "three giants of the French Comedy" along with Burville and Fernandem. Played about 130 movie roles and about 100 roles in the theater. In Russia, the older generation is familiar with the role of Commissioner Zhuva in films about Fantômas.

An interesting fact that is not all French know about. Louis de Füne actually Spaniard! His parents come from the surroundings of Seville, moved in 1904 to France, as their families opposed marriage. Louis De Füne was born in 1914 in the district of Kurbievua in Paris.

In his youth, Louis changed a lot of professions, she worked longer on the game on the piano, eventually began to work in the theater. In the movie he debuted only at 31 years old, and played the first major role only in 49 years. It was a comedian film "Pic Peak" ("Pouic-Pouic") director Jean Zhiro.

The world glory Louis brought the film "Gendarme from Saint-Tropez", this movie city was shown in the USSR. The image of a reasonable and funny policeman practically "closed" to Louis de Funesu. In the history of cinema it is ridiculous and in shape.

In the period between 1964 and 1979, films with Louis de Fühnes, seven times turned out to be the best on cash collecting in France. In 1973, Louis received the Order of the Honorary Legion.

The style of the game Louis is characterized by astounding energy, a wide range of facial expressions and bright gestures, frightened impatience and arrogance. Louis de Fünes even got the nickname "Man of 40 persons per minute".

In real life, Louis was a very shy and quiet person. He adored roses, in his honor called the grade, which is called "Rosa Louis de Fühnes". Simply put, Louis de Fünes in front of the camera and in life – these were two absolutely opposite people, ego and alter ego.

5th place. Jules Verne (1828 – 1905) – Writer

One of the most prolific writers in history, founder of the genre of the NF (science fiction), icon of the genre of adventure literature.

This is a person who dreamed of becoming a writer and his achieve, despite the resistance of the Father. The person who was able to write book-masterpieces about travels, although at the time of writing these books did not go beyond France. A man who wrote awesome fantastic books, although he was not scientist, and did not even have technical education.

Jules born on February 8, 1828 in the town of Nantes. His father was a lawyer and dreamed that the son will continue a family business. Jules received comprehensive education: studied in the guesthouse, then in the seminary, then in the lyceum. He began to write from 14 years. In 19 years (1847) Jules went to Paris to learn jurisprudence. In 1851 he graduated from learn and received the right to lead the law practice.

Father insisted so that Jules Verne actively engage in the work of a lawyer, but Jules himself did not want it to this, he was interested in literature. The conflict with the Father on this occasion was uncomfortable, Jules now earned a living.

During his studies, Jules visited the literary salon, he was familiar with Alexander Dumas and other writers. In 1851, Jules Verne met Pierre Chevalé, chief editor of the Family Museum magazine. Chevalé was looking for a writer who could be available and exciting to write about science and travel. Jules gladly took up this work, which determined genres for Jules Verne for the rest of his life.

Jules Verne had no travel experience, there was no technical education. He compensated for a lack of knowledge and experience with long hours in the library and conversations with Jacques Arago – the famous traveler then.

Only in 1859, at the age of 31, Jules Verne committed his first journey. He bought the Saint-Michel yacht and sailed in England. But by the time, Jules wrote many talented works about adventures: "Drama in Mexico", "Drama in the air", "Winter on ice" and others.

During the travels, Jules Verne wrote a lot, the main works of his life are born on the sides of Saint-Michel yachts, Saint-Michel II and Saint-Michel III. Verne visits the United States, North Africa, European Mediterranean. He walked around the seas until 1884 and actively wrote until 1902. The writer died on March 24, 1905.

4th place. Count D’Artagnan (1611 – 1673) – Military

Hero of the novels of Alexander Duma Brave Musketeer D’Artagnian know all. But not everyone knows that he had a real historical prototype – Count Charles de Batz de Castelmore d’Artagnan.

The life of the real D’Artagnian was full of adventure, his life became the basis of the book of the writer Gasien de Curtyl de Sandra "Memories of D’Artagnian" (1700), and already this book served as the basis for the image of D’Artanian for Dumas. As a result, the literary character and the real D’Artanyans were far from each other.

Real D’Artagnan was born in the field of Lupyak, not far from the border with Spain. Like literary, real d’Artagnan was a Gascon. But the father of real D’Artagnian was not a significant fight in resignation (so it is shown in the book), but by a successful trader. Young D’Artagnan dreamed of a military career, for this he enjoyed the last name of his mother, who was the descendant of the noble noble family D’Artanian.

In 1630, D’Artagnan (Real) arrived in Paris and entered military service. In 1632, he became the Royal Musketeer, thanks to the help of uncle – Henri D’Artenian and his friend Monsieur D’Terville. By the way, D’Terville (another character of the book Dumas) – this is a real historical personality.

In the book, D’Artagnan is involved in the palace intrigues of 1625-1628 between the Cardinal Richelieu, the King of Louis XIIV and the Queen Anna Austrian, as well as in the siege of La Rocheli in 1628. Real D’Artagnan did not participate in anything like this, he was still too Yun. Although Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIIV after all caught, they died only in 1642.

However, Real D’Artagnan with Village took part in other intrigues with the participation of Cardinal Mazarini and Fronds (opposition traffic). He trusted his secret business king Louis XIV. D’Artagnan was an important person in Louvre and Versaille. By 1658, D’Artagnan became the Captain Lieutenant of the Royal Musketeers. It was the highest position, since the Captain’s post occupied the king himself.

June 25, 1673 Real D’Artagnan was killed by a bullet in the throat during the siege of the city of Maastricht in the Franco-Dutch War.

3rd place. Louis Witton (1821 – 1892), Coco Chanel (1883 – 1971), Christian Dior (1905 – 1957) – designers and fashion designers

France is the birthplace of dozens of fashionable brands. If you include all the founders of these brands in our rating, there is no enough places here. Therefore, we took three most famous and put on the 3rd (bronze) place, you can say "in the amount of merit".

It is very interesting to see the fate of these three people, there are many similar circumstances. All of them had to break through the «of dirt in the prince»!

Louis Witton was born on August 4, 1821 in the Jura region in the east of France. Young Louis Witton did not suit rural life. In the spring of 1835, he left his native house and went to Paris on foot, and he was only 13 years old at that moment. On the road, I was interrupted by random work, the path to Paris took 2 years.

In Paris, Louis became a packer and a master of making boxes and chests. His skill quickly appreciated, and witton chests became a symbol of luxury. He decided to alleviate the chest, applying fabrics and skin, thus invented a suitcase familiar to us. But until the end of the life, Louis Witton remained "boxes master", and today’s wide range of brand Louis Vuitton is the merit of his descendants.

Coco Chanel was born in 1883 in unmarried lap. Coco – nickname, and real name – Gabriel Bonher. When Gabriel was 12 years old, her mother died from tuberculosis. The girl came to the orphanage where he learned to sew. She received the name of Coco while working in the cabarer, formed from the French "Cocot", translated "Kurtizanka".

The path to the top of society and to your own business koko struck very simple. She became a mistress at the beginning of Etienne Balzan – the son of textile tycoon, then Arthur Drop – Player in Polo. While Balsan’s mistress, Koko began to develop clothes design. In 1913, she opened its first clothing boutique for money. In 1915, the second store Coco Chanel opened. And then "went, went".

Christian Dior was born in 1905 in Normandy in a rich family, his father owned a fertilizer company. When Christian was 5 years old, the family moved to Paris. Christian for art, father even paid him his business – Gallery for the sale of paintings.

However, in 1931, the Great Depression came, which touched not only the United States, but also all the countries of Europe. Father’s business collapsed, Christian gallery closed. Only in 1937, Christian Dior settled on an interesting job for himself, became an assistant fashion designer Robert Peig. Over time, Christian Dior began to develop clothes design. In 1946, with the support of the magnate of Marseille Busak, the fashion house of Christian Dior opens. And then "went, went".

2nd place. Charles de Gaulle (1890 – 1970) – commander and politician

Father-founder of the fifth republic (modern state France), a talented commander, hero-liberator, one can say "Jeanne d’Ark in pants". Full name: Charles Ardre Joseph Marie de Gaulle.

Born on November 22, 1890 in the city of Lille in French Flanders, near the border with the Netherlands. Charles originated from a noble kind, but the poor, as de Gallie lost their lands during the Great French Revolution.

Since childhood, Charles was fond of literature and history, especially military. Education de Gaulle received in Paris in College Stanislav. In 1909, Charles entered the Saint Cyre Military Academy. At the Academy, he was called "Great Asparagus" due to high growth (196 cm). Having finished the Academy in 1912, de Gaulle comes by Lieutenant to the service in the 33rd infantry regiment under the command of the Colonel and the future Marshal Peten.

In the First World War, de Gaulle received the Order of Croa de Ger (Military Cross), was injured three times and in 1916 he got into German captivity. For 32 months, in captivity de Gaulle became friends with Mikhail Tukhachevsky (the future marshal of the USSR), they both shared ideas about the future mechanized war.

In the break between the world wars, de Gaulle visited the instructor in Poland during the Soviet-Polish war, received the Polish Order of Vertuty Militari. He taught in Saint-Kire, served in Syria and Lebanon, worked at the headquarters. In the end, he was sent to the colonel and became the commander of the 507th tank shelf.

During World War II, in the Battle of France in 1940, de Gaulle commanded talented, but France did not save France. Most of the country turned out to be occupied by Nazi Germany. Not wanting to give up, de Gaulle flew to London. Here he spoke on the radio with a speech on June 18, called for the creation of French resistance.

De Gaulle became the leader of the resistance movement both underground in France itself and among the French from the colonies. The French fought together with the British, although the military forces of free France were few.

After the liberation of France in 1944, Charles de Gaulle led the temporary government. In fact, he ruled the country from July 4, 1944 to January 20, 1946. However, the opposition took over and de Gaulle left the post. The new Constitution was adopted without de Gaulle, the fourth republic came. Charles de Gaulle himself went on peace, but only for a while.

The fourth republic was parliamentary with all the ensuing disadvantages. The crisis in Algeria and the economic decline strongly worsened the position of France and the French. And the parliament in this crisis could not even form the government. On May 15, 1958, Charles de Gaulle violates 12-year-old silence and appeals to the people with criticism of the political system.

Parliament appoints de Gaulle Prime Minister with emergency powers. September 28, 1958, on the referendum, the people of France adopts a new constitution proposed by de Gaulle. The fifth Republic begins – the presidential republic, which exists and so. Charles de Gaulle held the president from 1959 to 1969. He died on November 9, 1970.

1st place. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 – 1821) – commander and emperor

The British, Austrians and Prussians called Napoleon "Nightmare Europe", stunned by his military successes. As a commander Napoleon Bonaparte in 20 years spent 60 major battles and lost only seven of them.

These years entered the story as "the era of Napoleonic Wars". France turned out to be the hostess most of Europe. That is why Napoleon Bonaparte stands in the first place in our list, he is the most famous Frenchman in history.

Napoleon was born on Corsica on August 15, 1769. His parents by origin were Italians from Tuscany. Corsica island moved to France from the Genoese Republic in May 1768 in the Versailles Agreement. Napoleon is born for a year and three months earlier, it would be worth including in our list of the most famous Italians, and not to this list of famous French.

He wore the Italian name Napoleon di Boonaparte, and only before the first marriage in 27 years (1796) changed the name to the French manner on Napoleon Bonaparte. In 9 years, Napoleon moves into mainland France, enters the religious school in the autumn. In six months he enters the Military Academy of Bryren-le-Chateau. At the age of 15 (1784) entered the officer school to Ecology Militar, and became the first Corsican who ended with her.

In his youth, Napoleon was a passionate Corsican nationalist, despised France and dreamed of independence of his native island. That is, started as an anti-French, but turned out to be the most famous Frenchman.

Napoleon served in the 1st artillery shelf of 4 years, and the Great French Revolution began. Revolution is not only blood and change, for some revolution turns out to be a moment of tremendous opportunities. Napoleon did not miss his chance.

During the Great French Revolution, Napoleon first decided to fight for the independence of his native Corsica, but the relationship with the leaders did not work out. He decided to join the Republicans in 1793 and was appointed commander of the troops deposited by the city toulon. With a combat task, Napoleon coped brilliantly, he took the dominant height over the city and quickly took toulon. For this victory, he was assigned the title "Brigadier General", and at that moment Napoleon was only 24 years old! Such a career jump from Lieutenant to the generals could only occur during the revolution.

Napoleon fought for the republic successfully. He distinguished himself in 1795, suppressing the uprising of royalists in Paris. After this event, Napoleon became not just a general, but also a very influential politician. Then followed stunning successes in Italy and the Egyptian campaign.

In 1799, the republic de facto became bankrupt. Napoleon (by this time he changed his name) returns to Paris, although no one gave him such an order. He captures power, dismisses parliament. Napoleon declared himself an consul for 10 years, actually became a dictator of France. May 18, 1804 With the help of a referendum, he becomes emperor.

Over the next 8 years, Napoleon Bonaparte conquered almost all of Europe. Only after an unsuccessful campaign to Russia in 1812 and a lost campaign against the coalition in 1813 he loses power. Napoleon refers to Elba Island, but in 1814 he runs from there, forms a new army, but again loses to the British in the battle of Waterloo. This time, the deployed Napoleon is sent further – to the island of Saint Helena, where he died on May 05, 1821 died of illness.

Interesting fact

Napoleon was not low growth. Its growth is 1 meter 70 centimeters, which can be considered an average growth of a man in that era. No complex of inferiority on the growth of Napoleon was not.

The illusion of low growth was formed due to the fact that he loved to surround himself with soldiers of the Grenador regiments, and only tall recruits took into these shelves. After the battle, at the board of the Grenadle, Napoleon chose him with his corporal. And since he was the growth below the Grenadle, he got the nickname "Little Capral".

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