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From the Merovingians to the Ancien Régime (5th-18th century)
Between the 5th and the 16th century, France builds itself as a nation. Little by little, it defines its territory, gets its name and a sense of belonging appears.
Key points of the sheet
- Julius Caesar conquers Gaul in 52 BC: it is a Roman province until the 5th century. Then several barbarian peoples invade it, including the Franks, who will give their name to France.
- Three great royal dynasties follow one another over 1,000 years. Clovis, king of the Franks, founds the Merovingian dynasty at the end of the 5th century and becomes Christian.
- The Carolingian king Charlemagne is crowned emperor in 800. After his death, his empire is divided into three kingdoms, and one will become France.
- Hugues Capet is crowned king in 987. He founds the Capetian dynasty, long and stable, which slowly strengthens the monarchy.
- From 1337, the Hundred Years' War is long and deadly. But it helps to awaken a feeling of national unity.
- In the 16th century, during the Renaissance, France becomes a centralised and powerful state. This state reaches its peak under the Ancien Régime.
- Clovis, Charlemagne and Hugues Capet are key figures. They embody major stages in the building of France and the assertion of a nation.
- This period prepares the absolute monarchy. Fiefs held by lords under the king's authority are a first hierarchical organisation, the origin of today's administrative system.
Words to know
- Gaul (Gaule)
- Conquered by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, it is a Roman province until the 5th century.
- Franks (Francs)
- They are a barbarian people who invade Gaul and give their name to France.
- Merovingians (Mérovingiens)
- It is the dynasty founded by Clovis, king of the Franks, at the end of the 5th century.
- Carolingians (Carolingiens)
- It is the dynasty of Charlemagne, crowned emperor in 800.
- Capetians (Capétiens)
- It is the long and stable dynasty founded by Hugues Capet in 987.
- Hundred Years' War (guerre de Cent Ans)
- This war begins in 1337 and helps to awaken a feeling of national unity.
- Renaissance
- It is a period of the 16th century when France becomes a centralised and powerful state.
- Ancien Régime
- Under the Ancien Régime, the French state reaches its peak, with an absolute monarchy.
- fiefs
- They are parts of the territory held by lords under the king's authority.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Who founds the Merovingian dynasty?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui fonde la dynastie mérovingienne ?
Clovis, king of the Franks, founds the Merovingian dynasty at the end of the 5th century.
In what year does the Hundred Years' War begin?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année commence la guerre de Cent Ans ?
The Hundred Years' War begins in 1337.
Who holds the fiefs under the king's authority?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui détient les fiefs sous l'autorité du roi ?
The territory is organised in fiefs held by lords under the king's authority.
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Source
Sheet “Des Mérovingiens à l’Ancien Régime (Vème-XVIIIème siècle)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.