List of presidents of France facts for kids

The president of France is the leader of France. This person is chosen by the people of France every five years.

The first person considered to hold this important job was Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. He was elected in 1848. However, he later took control in 1851 and declared himself emperor, becoming Napoleon III. People supported him because he wanted to bring back the right for all men to vote, which the government had stopped. This helped create the Second French Empire.

After Napoleon III's rule ended in 1870, France became a republic again, known as the Third Republic. Later, in 1962, President Charles de Gaulle asked the people to vote on a new way to choose the president. Before this, a group of electors chose the president. After the vote, the people of France started electing their president directly. Since then, there have been ten presidential elections. The 25th and current president is Emmanuel Macron, who started his term on May 14, 2017.

France's First Republic (1792–1804)

The National Convention

The National Convention was a governing body in France from September 20, 1792, to October 26, 1795. It was led by a President, and this role changed every two weeks.

From 1793, a powerful group called the Committee of Public Safety mostly controlled the National Convention. The main leaders of this committee were Georges Danton and later Maximilien Robespierre.

The Directory (1795–1799)

The Directory was officially led by a president, but this was mostly a ceremonial job. The first president was Jean-François Rewbell, chosen by chance on November 2, 1795. The actual leaders, called Directors, chose their president privately, and the role rotated every three months. The last President of the Directory was Louis-Jérôme Gohier.

The most important person during the Directory was Paul Barras, who was the only Director to serve for the entire period.

Political parties

      Centre (Thermidorians)           Right-wing (Clichyens)           Left-wing (Montagnards)           Other (Maraisards)

Directors of the Directory (November 1, 1795 – November 10, 1799)
	Paul Barras November 2, 1795 – November 9, 1799		Louis-Marie de la Révellière November 2, 1795 – June 18, 1799 (Had to resign)		Jean-François Rewbell November 2, 1795 – May 16, 1799 (Replaced by drawing lots)		Lazare Carnot November 2, 1795 – September 4, 1797 (Removed from power after a coup)		Étienne-François Letourneur November 2, 1795 – May 20, 1977
									François Barthélemy May 20 – September 4, 1797 (Removed from power after a coup)
							Philippe Antoine Merlin September 4, 1797 – June 18, 1979 (Had to resign)		François de Neufchâteau September 4, 1977 – May 15, 1978 (Replaced by drawing lots)
									Jean-Baptiste Treilhard May 15, 1978 – June 17, 1979 (Election was cancelled)
					Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès May 16 – November 9, 1799
			Roger Ducos June 18 – November 9, 1799				Jean-François Moulin June 18 – November 10, 1799		Louis-Jérôme Gohier June 17 – November 10, 1799

After a sudden change in government on November 9, 1799 (called the Coup of 18 Brumaire), Barras, Ducos, and Sieyès resigned. Moulin and Gohier refused to resign and were arrested by General Moreau.

The Consulate (1799–1804)

Consuls of the Consulate (November 10, 1799 – May 18, 1804)
	First Consul	Second Consul	Third Consul
Provisional Consuls (November 10 – December 12, 1799)	Napoléon Bonaparte	Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès	Roger Ducos
Consuls (December 12, 1799 – May 18, 1804)		Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès	Charles-François Lebrun

Napoléon Bonaparte declared himself Emperor of the French in 1804. He ruled as Emperor Napoleon I from 1804 to 1814 (during the First French Empire) and again in 1815 (for a period known as the Hundred Days).

France then had kings again from 1814–1815 and 1815–1830 (the Bourbon Restoration), and again from 1830–1848 (the July Monarchy).

France's Second Republic (1848–1852)

Leaders of the Provisional Government

Political parties

      Moderate Republicans

Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
	Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure (1767–1855)	February 26, 1848	May 9, 1848	73 days	Moderate Republicans
		1848
		Appointed as President of the Provisional Government during the February Revolution. He resigned in May 1848.

Leaders of the Executive Commission

Political parties

      Moderate Republicans

Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
	François Arago (1786–1853)	May 9, 1848	June 24, 1848	46 days	Moderate Republicans
		1848
		The Executive Commission was chosen by the National Assembly. François Arago was its President. This group acted as the head of state. They were removed from power during the June Days uprising.

Chief of the Executive Power

Political parties

      Moderate Republicans

Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
	Louis-Eugène Cavaignac (1802–1857)	June 28, 1848	December 20, 1848	175 days	Moderate Republicans
		1848
		Given special powers by the National Assembly during the June Days uprising. After stopping the uprising, Cavaignac was made Chief of the Executive Power. He ran for president but lost to Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte.

Presidents of the Republic

Political parties

       Bonapartist

Nº	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office; Elections		Total Time in Office	Political Party
1		Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (1808–1873)	December 20, 1848	December 2, 1852	3 years, 348 days	Bonapartist
			1848
			Nephew of Napoléon I. He was the first President of the French Republic. He took control of the government in 1851 and declared himself Emperor in 1852.

Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French in 1852, ruling as Emperor Napoleon III from 1852–1870 (the Second French Empire).

France's Third Republic (1870–1940)

President of the Government of National Defense

Political parties

       Monarchist

Nº	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
—		Louis-Jules Trochu (1815–1896)	September 14, 1870	February 13, 1871	152 days	Moderate Monarchist
			After Napoleon III was captured, a new government was formed with Louis Jules Trochu as its President. This government tried to defend France during the Siege of Paris but was defeated.

Chief of the Executive Power

Political parties

       Independent

Nº	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
—		Adolphe Thiers (1797–1877)	February 17, 1871	August 30, 1871	194 days	Moderate Monarchist; Opportunist Republican
			Chosen as Chief of the Executive Power after the Siege of Paris. He helped restore control after the Paris Commune and got the German Army to leave France. He was then elected President.

Presidents of the Third Republic

Political parties

       Monarchist
       Moderate Republican
       Democratic Alliance
       Radical-Socialist and Radical Republican Party
       Independent

Nº	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
2		Adolphe Thiers (1797–1877)	August 31, 1871	May 24, 1873	1 year, 266 days	Moderate Monarchist; Opportunist Republican
			He became President after new republican rules were put in place. He later supported the Third Republic. He resigned because the National Assembly wanted the monarchy back.
3		Patrice de MacMahon (1808–1893)	May 24, 1873	January 30, 1879	5 years, 251 days	Monarchist
			He was a military leader and the only monarchist to be President of the Third Republic. He resigned after republicans won elections. During his time, the laws that set up the Third Republic were passed.
The government of Jules Armand Dufaure served during the break (January 30, 1879).
4		Jules Grévy (1807–1891)	January 30, 1879	December 2, 1887	8 years, 306 days	Opportunist Republican
			He was the first President to serve a full term and was easily reelected. He had to resign because his son-in-law was involved in a scandal.
The government of Maurice Rouvier served during the break (December 2–3, 1887).
5		Sadi Carnot (1837–1894)	December 3, 1887	June 25, 1894†	6 years, 205 days	Opportunist Republican
			His time as president saw some political unrest and scandals. He was killed a few months before his term ended.
The government of Charles Dupuy served during the break (June 25–27, 1894).
6		Jean Casimir-Perier (1847–1907)	June 27, 1894	January 16, 1895	205 days	Opportunist Republican
			Casimir-Perier had the shortest time as president, resigning after six months and 20 days.
The government of Charles Dupuy served during the break (January 16–17, 1895).
7		Félix Faure (1841–1899)	January 17, 1895	February 16, 1899†	4 years, 30 days	Opportunist Republican
			He worked to expand France's colonies and strengthen ties with Russia. He died in office.
The government of Charles Dupuy served during the break (February 16–18, 1899).
8		Émile Loubet (1838–1929)	February 18, 1899	February 18, 1906	7 years, 0 days	Democratic Republican Alliance
			During his seven years in office, a law was passed separating the Church and the State in France. He did not run for reelection.
9		Armand Fallières (1841–1931)	February 18, 1906	February 18, 1913	7 years, 0 days	Democratic Republican Alliance
			He was president during a time when French troops first occupied Morocco. He helped strengthen alliances with other countries. Like his predecessor, he did not seek reelection.
10		Raymond Poincaré (1860–1934)	February 18, 1913	February 18, 1920	7 years, 0 days	Democratic Republican Alliance
			He was President during World War I. He later served as Prime Minister.
11		Paul Deschanel (1855–1922)	February 18, 1920	September 21, 1920	247 days	Democratic Republican Alliance
			He was an intellectual who surprisingly won the 1920 election. He resigned after eight months due to health problems.
The government of Alexandre Millerand served during the break (September 21–23, 1920).
12		Alexandre Millerand (1859–1943)	September 23, 1920	June 11, 1924	3 years, 262 days	Independent
			He resigned after four years when a left-wing group won the 1924 election.
The government of Frédéric François-Marsal served during the break (June 11–13, 1924).
13		Gaston Doumergue (1863–1937)	June 13, 1924	June 13, 1931	7 years, 0 days	Radical-Socialist and Radical Republican Party
			He was the first Protestant President. His seven-year term saw many changes in government leaders.
14		Paul Doumer (1857–1932)	June 13, 1931	May 7, 1932†	329 days	Independent
			He was killed by a mentally unstable person.
The government of André Tardieu served during the break (May 7–10, 1932).
15		Albert Lebrun (1871–1950)	May 10, 1932	July 11, 1940 (de facto)	8 years, 32 days	Democratic Alliance
			He was reelected in 1939, but his second term was cut short when Philippe Pétain came to power.

The job of President of the French Republic did not exist from 1940 until 1947.

French State (1940–1944)

Chief of State

Nº	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
—		Philippe Pétain (1856–1951)	July 11, 1940	August 19, 1944	3 years, 351 days
			1940
			After France fell and signed a truce with Nazi Germany, Pétain took special powers and set up a government that worked with the Nazis. During the liberation of France, his government left the country.

Government-in-Exile (1940–1944)

President of the French National Committee

Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
	Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970)	June 18, 1940	June 3, 1944	3 years, 351 days
		1940
		After France was defeated, he called on people to keep fighting the Nazi occupation. He formed the French National Committee. Later, his committee joined with another group to form the French Committee of National Liberation. After France was freed, this committee became a temporary government with de Gaulle as its leader.

Provisional Government (1944–1946)

Chairmen of the Provisional Government

Political parties       Socialist (SFIO)       Centre-right (MRP)

Nº	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office		Total Time in Office	Political Party
—		Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970)	June 3, 1944	January 26, 1946	1 year, 237 days	Independent
			1944
			After France was freed, the Committee of National Liberation became a temporary government with de Gaulle as its leader. He resigned in January 1946.
—		Félix Gouin (1884–1977)	January 26, 1946	June 24, 1946	149 days	French Section of the Workers International
			1945
			He became Chairman of the Provisional Government after de Gaulle resigned.
—		Georges Bidault (1899–1983)	June 24, 1946	November 28, 1946	157 days	Popular Republican Movement
			1946
			Elected Chairman of the Provisional Government in June 1946. He oversaw the creation of the French Constitution of 27 October 1946.
—		Vincent Auriol (1884–1966)	November 28, 1946	December 16, 1946	18 days	French Section of the Workers' International
			1946
			Elected Chairman of the Provisional Government in November 1946, before he became President of France.
—		Léon Blum (1872–1950)	December 16, 1946	January 16, 1947	31 days	French Section of the Workers' International
			1946
			He led the final temporary government before Vincent Auriol became President.

France's Fourth Republic (1946–1958)

Presidents of the Fourth Republic

Political parties

      Socialist (SFIO)       Centre-right (CNIP)

Nº	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office; Elections		Total Time in Office	Political Party
16		Vincent Auriol (1884–1966)	January 16, 1947	January 16, 1954	7 years, 0 days	French Section of the Workers' International
			1947
			He was the first President of the Fourth Republic. His term was marked by the First Indochina War.
17		René Coty (1882–1962)	January 16, 1954	January 8, 1959	4 years, 357 days	National Centre of Independents and Peasants
			1953
			His presidency was marked by the Algerian War. He asked Charles de Gaulle to help solve a big political problem in May 1958. After the Fifth Republic was created, he resigned, and De Gaulle became president.

France's Fifth Republic (1958–Present)

Presidents of the Fifth Republic

Political parties:       Centre-left (PS) (2)       Centrist (RE) (1)       Centre-right (CD; RI; PR; UDF) (1)       Gaullist (UNR; UDR) (2)       Neo-Gaullist (RPR; UMP; LR) (2)

Nº	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office; Elections		Total Time in Office	Political Party
18		Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970)	January 8, 1959	April 28, 1969	10 years, 110 days	Union for the New Republic
			1958, 1965
			He led the Free French Forces during World War II. He was asked to help solve the Algerian War crisis in 1958. He created the Fifth Republic and was elected president. He was reelected in 1965 after changing how presidents were elected to a popular vote. He resigned after a public vote on his reforms failed.
—		Alain Poher Acting (1909–1996)	April 28, 1969	June 20, 1969	53 days	Democratic Centre
			He was the temporary President of France as the leader of the Senate. He ran in the 1969 election but lost.
19		Georges Pompidou (1911–1974)	June 20, 1969	April 2, 1974†	4 years, 286 days	Union of Democrats for the Republic
			1969
			He was Prime Minister under Charles de Gaulle. He became president in 1969. He supported economic growth and new industries, like the TGV high-speed train. He died in office.
—		Alain Poher Acting (1909–1996)	April 2, 1974	May 27, 1974	55 days	Democratic Centre
			He was again the temporary President of France. He did not run in the 1974 election.
20		Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1926–2020)	May 27, 1974	May 21, 1981	6 years, 359 days	Independent Republicans
			1974
			He was elected president in 1974. He made many changes, like lowering the voting age to 18. He faced economic problems and rising unemployment. He lost the 1981 election to François Mitterrand.
21		François Mitterrand (1916–1996)	May 21, 1981	May 17, 1995	13 years, 361 days	Socialist Party
			1981, 1988
			He was elected president in 1981 and reelected in 1988. He oversaw many large building projects, like the Louvre Pyramid. He ended the death penalty. He had to work with prime ministers from different political parties, a situation called "cohabitation." He served the longest term of any French president.
22		Jacques Chirac (1932–2019)	May 17, 1995	May 16, 2007	11 years, 364 days	Rally for the Republic Union for a Popular Movement
			1995, 2002
			He was Prime Minister twice before becoming president in 1995. He was reelected in 2002. He sent troops to Afghanistan but was against the Iraq War. He did not run for a third term.
23		Nicolas Sarkozy (b. 1955)	May 16, 2007	May 15, 2012	4 years, 365 days	Union for a Popular Movement
			2007
			He was elected president in 2007. He introduced new laws on taxes and immigration. He led the G8 and G20 groups of countries in 2011. He faced economic problems and introduced reforms in education and pensions. He lost the 2012 election.
24		François Hollande (b. 1954)	May 15, 2012	May 14, 2017	4 years, 364 days	Socialist Party
			2012
			He was elected president in 2012. He made same-sex marriage legal and limited how many political jobs one person could hold. France faced terrorist attacks during his term. He did not run for reelection.
25		Emmanuel Macron (b. 1977)	May 14, 2017	Incumbent (term expires in May 2027)	8 years, 37 days	La République En Marche!
			2017, 2022
			He was elected president in 2017, becoming the youngest French president ever. He was reelected in 2022. He has faced large protests over his policies. He also dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Timeline of French Presidents

See also

• List of presidents of France by tenure
• List of prime ministers of France