Count of Paris facts for kids
The Count of Paris (called Comte de Paris in French) was a special title given to important local leaders around the city of Paris a long time ago. This was during the Carolingian period, which was a powerful kingdom in Europe.
The title became less important after Hugh Capet was chosen to be the King of France in 987. He was already the Count of Paris, so when he became king, the title of Count of Paris was no longer used separately. It was like the king already had the biggest job, so he didn't need the smaller one.
However, much later, some people who believed they should be the rightful kings of France (called the Orléanists) started using the title "Count of Paris" again. They did this to show a connection to Hugh Capet and his family, the Capetian dynasty, who were very famous kings.
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Early Counts of Paris
For many years, different powerful families held the title of Count of Paris. These counts were important leaders in the region around Paris.
Merovingian Family Counts
Some of the earliest counts were from the Merovingian period, even before the Carolingians.
- Bodilon
- Until 678: Saint Warinus (born around 620, died 678)
Pippinid Family Counts
- 748–753: Grifo (born 726, died 753). He was the son of Charles Martel, a very famous Frankish leader.
Carolingian Counts
During the Carolingian era, the title of Count of Paris was held by several influential families.
Girardid Family Counts
- 759/760–779: Gerard I (died 779)
- 779–811/815: Stephen (born 754, died 811/815), Gerard I's son.
- 811/815–816: Beggo (born 755/760, died 816), Stephen's brother.
- 816: Leuthard I of Paris (born 740, died 816), Beggo's brother. He was also a count in another area called Fézensac.
- 838–841: Gerard II (born 810, died 877/879). He was Leuthard I's son and also a duke.
- 841–858: Leuthard II of Paris (born 806, died 858), Beggo's son.
Welf Family Counts
- 858–859: Conrad I the Elder (born 800, died 862/4). He was also a count in other regions.
Later Girardid Counts
- 877–?: Adalard (born 830, died 890). His daughter, Adelaide, married King Louis II of France.
Robertian Family Counts
This family was very important because some of them later became kings of France.
- 882/3–888: Odo (born 857, died 898). He later became king of West Francia, which was a part of what is now France.
- 888–922: Robert (born 866, died 923). He was Odo's brother and also became king of West Francia. He held many other count titles too.
- 923–956: Hugh the Great (born 898, died 956). He was a very powerful duke.
- 956–987: Hugh Capet (born 939, died 996). He was Hugh the Great's son. In 987, he was chosen to be the King of the Franks, starting the long-lasting Capetian dynasty. After he became king, the title of Count of Paris was no longer used as a separate role.
Bouchardid Family Counts
Even after Hugh Capet became king, some people were still called counts in the Paris area for a short time.
- 987–1005: Bouchard I the Venerable (died 1005). He was also a count in other places.
- 1005–1017: Renaud of Vendôme (born 991, died 1017). He was also the Bishop of Paris and a count in Vendôme.
Orléanist Counts
The title of Count of Paris was brought back much later by a different group of people.
During the July Monarchy
In 1838, during a time in France called the July Monarchy, King Louis-Philippe I gave the title "Count of Paris" to his new grandson, Philippe.
After Louis-Philippe stopped being king during the French Revolution of 1848, some people called Orléanist monarchists believed that Philippe and his family should be the rightful kings of France.
Later, in 1870, when France became a republic again, Philippe and the Orléanists agreed to support another person who also claimed the throne, Henri, Count of Chambord. But after Henri died in 1883, Philippe and his family continued to claim the French throne.
- 1838–1848: Philippe, Count of Paris (born 1838, died 1894)
Counts of Paris without Official Creation
In 1929, Jean d'Orléans, who was seen as the Orléanist claimant to the throne, gave the title "Count of Paris" to his oldest son, Henri d'Orléans. This was a "courtesy title," meaning it was used out of respect and tradition, but it wasn't officially created by a king or government. Henri used this title until he died.
Since then, the title has been used by the people who are considered the next in line to the French throne by the Orléanist group.
- 1929–1999: Henri, Count of Paris (born 1908, died 1999)
- 1999–2019: Henri, Count of Paris (born 1933, died 2019)
- 2019–present: Jean, Count of Paris (born 1965)
The next person in line to use this courtesy title is Jean's oldest son, Prince Gaston Louis Antoine Marie d’Orléans, who was born in 2009.
See also
In Spanish: Conde de París para niños
- List of French monarchs
- Siege of Paris (885-886)
- House of Capet
- Orléanists
