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List of prime ministers of France facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The head of the government of France has been called the prime minister of France (French: Premier ministre) since 1959, when Michel Debré became the first officeholder appointed under the Fifth Republic. During earlier periods of history, the head of government of France was known by different titles. As was common in European democracies of the 1815–1958 period (the Bourbon Restoration and July Monarchy, the Second, Third, and Fourth Republic, as well as the Vichy regime), the head of government was called President of the Council of Ministers (Président du Conseil des ministres), generally shortened to President of the council (Président du Conseil). This should not be confused with the elected office of president of the French Republic, who appoints the prime minister as head of state.

9th century – 18th century

Kingdom of France (843–1792)

Under the Kingdom of France, there was no official title for the leader of the government. The chief ministers (principal ministres) of certain kings of France nonetheless led the government de facto.

Chief minister
(birth–death)
Took office Left office King
(Reign)
Corneille de Lyon - Portrait of Anne de Montmorency.jpg Anne de Montmorency
(1493–1567)
1 January 1515 14 June 1541 Francis I
François Ier Louvre.jpg
(1515–1547)
Claude d'Annebault.jpg Claude d'Annebault
(1495–1552)
1541 31 March 1547
Corneille de Lyon - Portrait of Anne de Montmorency.jpg Anne de Montmorency
(1493–1567)
1 April 1547 10 August 1557 Henry II
Henry II of France-François Clouet (altered).jpg
(1547–1559)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Henry II)
11 August 1557 10 July 1559
(francois clouet et son atelier portrait de francois de lorraine duc da062923) (cropped).jpg Francis, Duke of Guise
(1519–1563)
10 July 1559 5 December 1560 Francis II
Portrait du roi de France François II.jpg
(1559–1560)
Michel-Hospital.jpg Michel de l'Hôpital
(1507–1573)
5 December 1560 13 March 1573
(Died in office)
Charles IX
Portrait of King Charles IX of France (1550–1574), by After François Clouet.jpg
(1560–1574)
Birague-René.jpg René de Birague
(1506–1583)
30 May 1574 24 November 1583
(Died in office)
Henry III
Quesnel Henry III of France in Polish hat.jpg
(1574–1589)
ChancelierPhilippeHuraultBellange.jpg Philippe Hurault de Cheverny
(1528–1599)
24 November 1583 12 May 1588
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Henry III)
12 May 1588 2 August 1589
Maximilien-de-Sully.jpg Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully
(1560–1641)
2 August 1589 29 January 1611 Henry IV
Frans Pourbus the Younger (Antwerp 1569 - Paris 1622) - Henri IV, King of France (1553-1610) - RCIN 402972 - Royal Collection.jpg
(1589–1610)
VilleroyNicolas.jpg Nicolas de Neufville, seigneur de Villeroy
(1543–1617)
30 January 1611 9 August 1616 Louis XIII
Louis XIII (de Champaigne).jpg
(1610–1643)
Concino-Concini.jpg Concino Concini
(1569–1617)
9 August 1616 24 April 1617
(Died in office)
Frans Pourbus the Younger - Portrait of a man - Google Art Project.jpg Charles d'Albert, duc de Luynes
(1578–1621)
24 April 1617 15 December 1621
(Died in office)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Louis XIII)
15 December 1621 12 August 1624
Champaigne portrait richelieu eb.jpg Cardinal Richelieu
(1585–1642)
12 August 1624 4 December 1642
(Died in office)
Mazarin-mignard.jpg Cardinal Mazarin
(1602–1661)
5 December 1642 9 March 1661
(Died in office)
Louis XIV
Louis XIV of France.jpg
(1643–1715)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Louis XIV)
9 March 1661 1 September 1715
Hyacinthe Rigaud - Portrait of Cardinal Guillaume Dubois - 1967.17 - Cleveland Museum of Art.jpg Guillaume Dubois
(1656–1723)
12 September 1715 10 August 1723
(Died in office)
Louis XV
Louis XV, King of France (1710-1774) edited 2.jpg
(1715–1774)
Portrait of Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans in armour by Jean-Baptiste Santerre.png Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
(1674–1723)
10 August 1723 2 December 1723
(Died in office)
Louis IV Henri de Bourbon-Conde.jpg Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon
(1692–1740)
2 December 1723 11 June 1726
Cardinal de Fleury by Rigaud.jpg André-Hercule de Fleury
(1653–1743)
11 June 1726 29 January 1743
(Died in office)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Louis XV)
29 January 1743 3 December 1758
Louis-Michel Van Loo, 'Portrait of the Duke of Choiseul' – Grateau 2015, after p 62.jpg Étienne François de Choiseul, Duke of Choiseul
(1719–1785)
3 December 1758 24 December 1770
René-Augustin de Maupeou.PNG René Nicolas Charles Augustin de Maupeou
(1714–1792)
25 December 1770 23 August 1774
Graincourt, attributed to - Turgot - Versailles MV 3923.jpg Jacques Turgot
(1727–1781)
24 August 1774 12 May 1776 Louis XVI
Antoine-François Callet - Louis XVI, roi de France et de Navarre (1754-1793), revêtu du grand costume royal en 1779 - Google Art Project.jpg
(1774–1792)
20161229143657!BPC LD 3.png Jean-Frédéric Phélypeaux, comte de Maurepas
(1701–1781)
14 May 1776 21 November 1781
(Died in office)
The Count of Vergennes by Antoine François Callet circa 1774-87.jpg Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes
(1717–1787)
21 November 1781 13 February 1787
(Died in office)
Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne.PNG Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne
(1727–1794)
1 May 1787 25 August 1788
Necker, Jacques - Duplessis.jpg Jacques Necker
(1732–1804)
25 August 1788 11 July 1789
Louis Auguste Le Tonnelier de Breteuil.PNG Louis Auguste Le Tonnelier de Breteuil
(1730–1807)
11 July 1789 16 July 1789
Necker, Jacques - Duplessis.jpg Jacques Necker
(1732–1804)
16 July 1789 3 September 1790
Armand-Marc Comte de MONTMORIN-SAINT-HEREM.jpg Armand Marc, comte de Montmorin
(1745–1792)
3 September 1790 3 September 1791
Constitutional cabinet
(supervisioned by Legislative Assembly)
3 September 1791 21 September 1792

18th century – 19th century

French First Republic (1792–1804)

During the First Republic, the arrangements for governance changed frequently:

There was no individual head of government.

French First Empire (1804–1815)

As Emperor, Napoleon was both head of state and head of government.

Chief minister Term of office Political party Emperor
(Reign)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Napoleon)
1 18 May 1804 1 April 1814 Vacant Napoleon
Jacques-Louis David - The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries - Google Art Project.jpg
(1804–1814)

First Restoration (1814–1815)

Chief minister Term of office Political party King
(Reign)
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord - Pierre-Paul Prud'hon.jpg Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
(1754–1838)
(as President of the Council)
1 1 April 1814 2 May 1814 Independent Louis XVIII
Gérard - Louis XVIII of France in Coronation Robes.jpg
(1814–1815)
BLACAS.JPG Pierre Louis Jean Casimir de Blacas
(1771–1839)
2 2 May 1814 8 July 1815 Independent

Hundred Days (1815)

As Emperor, Napoleon was both head of state and head of government. Upon Napoleon's abdication, his son Napoleon II was named Emperor. This rule was nominal, and Napoleon II remained in Austria throughout his nominal reign.

Chief Minister Term of office Political party Emperor
(Reign)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Napoleon I)
2 20 March 1815 22 June 1815 Vacant Napoleon I
Jacques-Louis David - The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries - Google Art Project.jpg
(1815)
Fouché Joseph Duke of Otranto.jpg Joseph Fouché
(1759–1820)
(as President of the Executive Commission)
22 June 1815 7 July 1815 Bonapartist Napoleon II
Le duc de Reichstadt.jpg
(1815)

Bourbon Restoration (1815–1830)

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

President of the Council of Ministers
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
King
(Reign)
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord - Pierre-Paul Prud'hon.jpg Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
(1754–1838)
9 July 1815 26 September 1815 Independent I
(Chambre introuvable)
(1815)
Louis XVIII
Gérard - Louis XVIII of France in Coronation Robes.jpg
(1815–1824)
Armand Emmanuel Duke of Richelieu.jpg Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu
(1766–1822)
1 26 September 1815 29 December 1818 Independent
Dessolles.jpg Jean-Joseph, Marquis Dessolles
(1767–1828)
29 December 1818 19 November 1819 Doctrinaires II
(1816)
Elie Decazes.jpg Élie Decazes, duc de Glücksbierg and Decazes
(1780–1860)
19 November 1819 20 February 1820 Doctrinaires
Armand Emmanuel Duke of Richelieu.jpg Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu
(1766–1822)
2 20 February 1820 14 December 1821 Doctrinaires III
(1820)
Joseph, comte de Villèle, peint par Jean-Sébastien Rouillard.jpg Jean-Baptiste de Villèle
(1773–1854)
14 December 1821 4 January 1828 Ultra-royalist
IV
(1824)
Charles X
Carlos X de Francia (François Gérard).jpg
(1824–1830)
Jean-Baptiste de Martignac.jpg Jean Baptiste Gay, vicomte de Martignac
(1778–1832)
4 January 1828 8 August 1829 Doctrinaires V
(1827)
Jules Armande de Polignac.jpg Jules de Polignac, duc de Polignac
(1780–1847)
8 August 1829 29 July 1830 Ultra-royalist
Casimir-de-rochechouart.jpg Casimir de Rochechouart, duc de Mortemart
(1787–1875)
29 July 1830 Ultra-royalist

July Monarchy (1830–1848)

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

Political parties

       Independent
       Orléanist
       Doctrinaires/Movement Party
       Resistance Party

President of the Council of Ministers
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
King
(Reign)
Position vacant
(government led by
Louis Philippe I)
0 1 August 1830 2 November 1830 (Orléanist) I
(1830)
Louis Philippe I
Louis-Philippe de Bourbon.jpg
(1830–1848)
1
Portrait de Jacques Laffitte.jpg Jacques Laffitte
(1767–1844)
2 November 1830 13 March 1831 Orléanist
Desnos - Casimir Pierre Perier.jpg Casimir Pierre Périer
(1777–1832)
13 March 1831 16 May 1832 Resistance Party II
(1831)
Soult2.jpg Jean-de-Dieu Soult
(1769–1851)
1 11 October 1832 18 July 1834 Orléanist
David Etienne Maurice Gerard.jpg Étienne Maurice Gérard
(1773–1852)
18 July 1834 10 November 1834 Independent III
(1834)
Robert Lefèvre - Hugues-Bernard Maret (1763-1839), duc de Bassano.jpg Hugues-Bernard Maret
(1763–1839)
10 November 1834 18 November 1834 Independent
Dubufe - Marshal Mortier.jpg Édouard Mortier
(1768–1835)
18 November 1834 12 March 1835 Resistance Party
De Broglie (BM 1874,1114.657).jpg Victor de Broglie
(1785–1870)
12 March 1835 22 February 1836 Resistance Party
Adolphe Thiers Nadar 2.JPG Adolphe Thiers
(1797–1877)
1 22 February 1836 6 September 1836 Movement Party
Mathieu-Louis Molé.JPG Louis-Mathieu Molé
(1781–1855)
1 6 September 1836 31 March 1839 Resistance Party
2 IV
(1837)
Position vacant
(government led by
Louis Philippe I)
2 31 March 1839 12 May 1839 (Orléanist)
Soult2.jpg Jean-de-Dieu Soult
(1769–1851)
2 12 May 1839 1 March 1840 Resistance Party V
(1839)
Adolphe Thiers Nadar 2.JPG Adolphe Thiers
(1797–1877)
2 1 March 1840 29 October 1840 Movement Party
Soult2.jpg Jean-de-Dieu Soult
(1769–1851)
3 29 October 1840 19 September 1847 Resistance Party VI
(1842)
Guizot, François - 2.jpg François Guizot
(1787–1874)
19 September 1847 23 February 1848 Resistance Party VII
(1846)
Mathieu-Louis Molé.JPG Louis-Mathieu Molé
(1781–1855)
23 February 1848 24 February 1848 Resistance Party

Second French Republic (1848–1852)

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

President of the Council of Ministers
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
President
(Term)
1 Ary Scheffer - Dupont de l'Eure.jpg Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure
(1767–1855)
24 February 1848 9 May 1848 Moderate Republican Const.
(1848)
Himself
de facto
(Provisional)
2 François Arago by Carl von Steuben.jpg François Arago
(1786–1853)
10 May 1848 24 June 1848 Moderate Republican Executive Commission
3 Général Cavaignac - photo Pierre Petit.jpg Louis-Eugène Cavaignac
(1802–1857)
28 June 1848 20 December 1848 Moderate Republican Himself
de facto
(Martial Law)
4 Odilon Barrot (1791-1873).jpg Odilon Barrot
(1791–1873)
1 20 December 1848 31 October 1849 Party of Order 1 Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte
Napoléon III par Jean Hippolyte Flandrin.jpg
(1848–1852)
2 Leg.
(1849)
5 Alphonse Henri d'Hautpoul.jpg Alphonse Henri, comte d'Hautpoul
(1789–1865)
31 October 1849 24 January 1851 Party of Order
Position vacant
(government led by
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte)
24 January 1851 10 April 1851 Vacant
6 Léon Faucher.JPG Léon Faucher
(1803–1854)
10 April 1851 26 October 1851 Party of Order
Position vacant
(government led by
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte)
0 26 October 1851 2 December 1852 Vacant
1
2

Second French Empire (1852–1870)

Cabinet Chiefs

Cabinet Chief
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
Emperor
(Reign)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Napoleon III)
3 2 December 1852 27 December 1869 Vacant I
(1852)
Napoleon III
Napoléon III par Jean Hippolyte Flandrin.jpg
(1852–1870)
II
(1857)
III
(1863)
4 IV
(1869)
Émile Ollivier by Pierre-Louis Pierson, 1870.png Émile Ollivier
(1825–1913)
2 January 1870 9 August 1870 Bonapartist
Palikao.jpg Charles Cousin-Montauban
(1796–1878)
9 August 1870 4 September 1870 Independent

19th century – 20th century

French Third Republic (1870–1940)

President of the Government of National Defense

President of the Government of National Defense
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
Louis Jules Trochu.jpg Louis-Jules Trochu
(1815–1896)
4 September 1870 22 January 1871 Military None

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

President of the Council of Ministers
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party
(Political coalition)
Legislature
(Election)
President
(Term)
6 Jules Armand Dufaure.jpg Jules Armand Dufaure
(1798–1881)
1 19 February 1871 24 May 1873 Opportunist Republicans National Assembly (1871) 2 Adolphe Thiers
Adolphe Thiers Nadar 2.JPG
(1871–1873)
2
7 Broglie Albert.JPG Albert, duc de Broglie
(1821–1901)
1 25 May 1873 22 May 1874 Monarchist 3 Patrice de MacMahon
Patrice de MacMahon Photograph.jpg
(1873–1879)
2
8 Le général Ernest Louis Octave Courtot de Cissey (1810-1882).jpg Ernest Courtot de Cissey
(1810–1882)
22 May 1874 10 March 1875 Monarchist
9 BUFFET Louis.jpg Louis Buffet
(1818–1898)
10 March 1875 23 February 1876 Monarchist
6 Jules Armand Dufaure.jpg Jules Armand Dufaure
(1798–1881)
3 23 February 1876 12 December 1876 Opportunist Republicans
4
10 Jules Simon - photo Charles Gallot.png Jules Simon
(1814–1896)
12 December 1876 17 May 1877 Opportunist Republicans I (1876)
7 Broglie Albert.JPG Albert, duc de Broglie
(1821–1901)
3 17 May 1877 23 November 1877 Monarchist
11 Rochebouët.jpg Gaëtan de Rochebouët
(1813–1899)
23 November 1877 13 December 1877 Monarchist II (1877)
6 Jules Armand Dufaure.jpg Jules Armand Dufaure
(1798–1881)
5 13 December 1877 4 February 1879 Opportunist Republicans
12 William Waddington.jpg William Waddington
(1826–1894)
4 February 1879 28 December 1879 Opportunist Republicans 4 Jules Grévy
Portrait Jules Grévy (cropped 2).jpg
(1879–1887)
13 Freycinet, de Saulces de, Charles, Nadar, Gallica.jpg Charles de Freycinet
(1828–1923)
1 28 December 1879 23 September 1880 Opportunist Republicans
14 Jules Ferry - The Evolution of France under the Third Republic (cropped).jpg Jules Ferry
(1832–1893)
1 23 September 1880 14 November 1881 Opportunist Republicans
15 Léon Gambetta 1871.jpg Léon Gambetta
(1838–1882)
14 November 1881 30 January 1882 Opportunist Republicans III (1881)
13 Freycinet, de Saulces de, Charles, Nadar, Gallica.jpg Charles de Freycinet
(1828–1923)
2 30 January 1882 7 August 1882 Opportunist Republicans
16 Duclerc.jpg Charles Duclerc
(1812–1888)
7 August 1882 29 January 1883 Opportunist Republicans
17 Armand Fallières Paris.jpg Armand Fallières
(1841–1931)
29 January 1883 21 February 1883 Opportunist Republicans
14 Jules Ferry - The Evolution of France under the Third Republic (cropped).jpg Jules Ferry
(1832–1893)
2 21 February 1883 6 April 1885 Opportunist Republicans
18 Brisson.jpg Henri Brisson
(1835–1912)
1 6 April 1885 7 January 1886 Radical Republicans
13 Freycinet, de Saulces de, Charles, Nadar, Gallica.jpg Charles de Freycinet
(1828–1923)
3 7 January 1886 16 December 1886 Opportunist Republicans IV (1885)
19 Goblet.jpg René Goblet
(1828–1905)
16 December 1886 30 May 1887 Radical Republicans
20 Rouvier.jpg Maurice Rouvier
(1842–1911)
1 30 May 1887 12 December 1887 Opportunist Republicans
21 Tirard.jpg Pierre Tirard
(1827–1893)
1 12 December 1887 3 April 1888 Opportunist Republicans 5 Sadi Carnot
Portrait officiel de Sadi Carnot.jpg
(1887–1894)
22 Floquet.jpg Charles Floquet
(1828–1896)
3 April 1888 22 February 1889 Opportunist Republicans
21 Tirard.jpg Pierre Tirard
(1827–1893)
2 22 February 1889 17 March 1890 Opportunist Republicans
13 Freycinet, de Saulces de, Charles, Nadar, Gallica.jpg Charles de Freycinet
(1828–1923)
4 17 March 1890 27 February 1892 Opportunist Republicans V (1889)
23 Émile Loubet.jpg Émile Loubet
(1838–1929)
27 February 1892 6 December 1892 Opportunist Republicans
24 Alexandre Ribot 1913.jpg Alexandre Ribot
(1842–1923)
1 6 December 1892 4 April 1893 Opportunist Republicans
2
25 Dupuy.jpg Charles Dupuy
(1851–1923)
1 4 April 1893 3 December 1893 Opportunist Republicans
26 Jean Casimir-Perier(1847-1907) (cropped).jpg Jean Casimir-Perier
(1847–1907)
3 December 1893 30 May 1894 Opportunist Republicans VI (1893)
25 Dupuy.jpg Charles Dupuy
(1851–1923)
2 30 May 1894 26 January 1895 Opportunist Republicans
3 6 Jean Casimir-Perier
Jean Casimir-Perier(1847-1907) (cropped).jpg
(1894–1895)
24 Alexandre Ribot 1913.jpg Alexandre Ribot
(1842–1923)
3 26 January 1895 1 November 1895 Opportunist Republicans 7 Félix Faure
President Félix Faure.jpg
(1895–1899)
27 Léon Bourgeois.jpg Léon Bourgeois
(1851–1925)
1 November 1895 29 April 1896 Radical Republicans
28 Méline, Jules, 1915, agence Meurisse, BNF Gallica.jpg Jules Méline
(1838–1925)
29 April 1896 28 June 1898 Opportunist Republicans
18 Henri Brisson.jpg Henri Brisson
(1835–1912)
2 28 June 1898 1 November 1898 Radical Republicans VII (1898)
25 Dupuy.jpg Charles Dupuy
(1851–1923)
4 1 November 1898 22 June 1899 Opportunist Republicans
5 Émile Loubet
Émile Loubet by Paul Nadar c1900.jpg
(1899–1906)
29 Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau by Nadar.jpg Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau
(1846–1904)
22 June 1899 7 June 1902 Opportunist Republicans 8
30 Émile Combes.jpg Émile Combes
(1835–1921)
7 June 1902 24 January 1905 Radical-Socialist Party
(Bloc des gauches)
VIII (1902)
20 Rouvier.jpg Maurice Rouvier
(1842–1911)
2 24 January 1905 12 March 1906 Democratic Republican Alliance
3 9 Armand Fallières
Armand Fallières Paris.jpg
(1906–1913)
31 Sarrien.jpg Ferdinand Sarrien
(1840–1915)
12 March 1906 25 October 1906 Radical-Socialist Party
32 Georges Clemenceau par Nadar.jpg Georges Clemenceau
(1841–1929)
1 25 October 1906 24 July 1909 Independent IX (1906)
33 Aristide Briand.png Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
1 24 July 1909 2 March 1911 Republican-Socialist Party
2
34 Monis.jpg Ernest Monis
(1846–1929)
2 March 1911 27 June 1911 Radical-Socialist Party X (1910)
35 (Joseph Caillaux) - (photographie de presse) - (Agence Rol).jpg Joseph Caillaux
(1863–1944)
27 June 1911 21 January 1912 Radical-Socialist Party
36 Raymond Poincaré officiel (cropped).jpg Raymond Poincaré
(1860–1934)
1 21 January 1912 21 January 1913 Republican Democratic Party
33 Aristide Briand.png Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
3 21 January 1913 22 March 1913 Republican-Socialist Party
4 10 Raymond Poincaré
Raymond Poincaré officiel (cropped).jpg
(1913–1920)
37 Louis Barthou 01.jpg Louis Barthou
(1862–1934)
22 March 1913 9 December 1913 Republican Democratic Party
38 Gaston Doumergue 1924 crop.jpg Gaston Doumergue
(1863–1937)
1 9 December 1913 9 June 1914 Radical-Socialist Party
24 Alexandre Ribot 1913.jpg Alexandre Ribot
(1842–1923)
4 9 June 1914 13 June 1914 Republican Federation XI (1914)
39 Viviani 1912.jpg René Viviani
(1863–1925)
1 13 June 1914 29 October 1915 Republican-Socialist Party
2
33 Aristide Briand.png Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
5 29 October 1915 20 March 1917 Republican-Socialist Party
6
24 Alexandre Ribot 1913.jpg Alexandre Ribot
(1842–1923)
5 20 March 1917 12 September 1917 Republican Federation
40 Paul Painlevé 1923.jpg Paul Painlevé
(1863–1933)
1 12 September 1917 16 November 1917 Republican-Socialist Party
32 Georges Clemenceau par Nadar.jpg Georges Clemenceau
(1841–1929)
2 16 November 1917 20 January 1920 Independent
41 Alexandre Millerand (cropped).jpg Alexandre Millerand
(1859–1943)
1 20 January 1920 24 September 1920 Independent
(National Bloc)
XII (1919)
2 11 Paul Deschanel
Portrait officiel P. Deschanel.jpg
(1920)
42 Georges Leygues 01.jpg Georges Leygues
(1857–1933)
24 September 1920 16 January 1921 Republican, Democratic and Social Party
(National Bloc)
12 Alexandre Millerand
Alexandre Millerand (cropped).jpg
(1920–1924)
33 Aristide Briand.png Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
7 16 January 1921 15 January 1922 Republican-Socialist Party
36 Raymond Poincaré officiel (cropped).jpg Raymond Poincaré
(1860–1934)
2 15 January 1922 8 June 1924 Republican, Democratic and Social Party
(National Bloc)
3
43 Frédéric François-Marsal 1920 (1).jpg Frédéric François-Marsal
(1874–1958)
8 June 1924 15 June 1924 Republican Federation
(National Bloc)
XIII (1924)
45 Édouard Herriot en 1946.jpg Édouard Herriot
(1872–1957)
1 15 June 1924 17 April 1925 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
13 Gaston Doumergue
Gaston Doumergue 1924 crop.jpg
(1924–1931)
40 Paul Painlevé 1923.jpg Paul Painlevé
(1863–1933)
2 17 April 1925 28 November 1925 Republican-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
3
33 Aristide Briand.png Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
8 28 November 1925 20 July 1926 Republican-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
9
10
45 Édouard Herriot en 1946.jpg Édouard Herriot
(1872–1957)
2 20 July 1926 23 July 1926 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
36 Raymond Poincaré officiel (cropped).jpg Raymond Poincaré
(1860–1934)
4 23 July 1926 29 July 1929 Democratic Alliance
(National Union)
5
33 Aristide Briand.png Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
11 29 July 1929 2 November 1929 Republican-Socialist Party XIV (1928)
46 André Tardieu en 1928.jpg André Tardieu
(1876–1945)
1 2 November 1929 21 February 1930 Democratic Alliance
47 Camille Chautemps (1885-1963).jpg Camille Chautemps
(1885–1963)
1 21 February 1930 2 March 1930 Radical-Socialist Party
46 André Tardieu en 1928.jpg André Tardieu
(1876–1945)
2 2 March 1930 13 December 1930 Democratic Alliance
48 Steeg - Теодор Стег.jpg Théodore Steeg
(1868–1950)
13 December 1930 27 January 1931 Radical-Socialist Party
49 Laval 1931.jpg Pierre Laval
(1883–1945)
1 27 January 1931 20 February 1932 Independent
2 14 Paul Doumer
Paul-Doumer (cropped).jpg
(1931–1932)
3
46 André Tardieu en 1928.jpg André Tardieu
(1876–1945)
3 20 February 1932 3 June 1932 Democratic Alliance
45 Édouard Herriot en 1946.jpg Édouard Herriot
(1872–1957)
3 3 June 1932 18 December 1932 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
XV (1932) 15 Albert Lebrun
Albert Lebrun 1932 (2) (cropped 2).jpg
(1932–1940)
50 Joseph Paul-Boncour 1923.jpg Joseph Paul-Boncour
(1873–1972)
18 December 1932 31 January 1933 Republican-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
51 Édouard Daladier.jpg Édouard Daladier
(1884–1970)
1 31 January 1933 26 October 1933 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
52 Agence Rol - Albert Sarraut.jpg Albert Sarraut
(1872–1962)
1 26 October 1933 26 November 1933 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
47 Camille Chautemps (1885-1963).jpg Camille Chautemps
(1885–1963)
2 26 November 1933 30 January 1934 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
51 Édouard Daladier.jpg Édouard Daladier
(1884–1970)
2 30 January 1934 9 February 1934 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
38 Gaston Doumergue 1924 crop.jpg Gaston Doumergue
(1863–1937)
2 9 February 1934 8 November 1934 Radical-Socialist Party
53 Pierre-Étienne Flandin 1935.jpg Pierre-Étienne Flandin
(1889–1958)
1 8 November 1934 1 June 1935 Democratic Alliance
54 Fernand Bouisson 1931.jpg Fernand Bouisson
(1874–1959)
1 June 1935 7 June 1935 Independent
49 Laval 1931.jpg Pierre Laval
(1883–1945)
4 7 June 1935 24 January 1936 Independent
52 Agence Rol - Albert Sarraut.jpg Albert Sarraut
(1872–1962)
2 24 January 1936 4 June 1936 Radical-Socialist Party
55 Léon Blum en 1936.jpg Léon Blum
(1872–1950)
1 4 June 1936 22 June 1937 French Section of the Workers' International
(Popular Front)
XVI (1936)
47 Camille Chautemps (1885-1963).jpg Camille Chautemps
(1885–1963)
3 22 June 1937 13 March 1938 Radical-Socialist Party
(Popular Front)
4
55 Léon Blum en 1936.jpg Léon Blum
(1872–1950)
2 13 March 1938 10 April 1938 French Section of the Workers' International
(Popular Front)
51 Édouard Daladier.jpg Édouard Daladier
(1884–1970)
3 10 April 1938 21 March 1940 Radical-Socialist Party
4
5
56 Paul Reynaud 1940.jpg Paul Reynaud
(1878–1966)
21 March 1940 16 June 1940 Democratic Alliance
57 Pétain - portrait photographique.jpg Philippe Pétain
(1856–1951)
16 June 1940 11 July 1940 Independent

French State (1940–1944)

Until 1942, Marshal Philippe Pétain served as Chief of State and nominal President of the Council of Ministers. From 1942, Pétain remained Chief of State, but Pierre Laval was named Chief of the Government.

Vice-Presidents of the Council of Ministers

Vice-president of the Council of Ministers
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
Chief of State
(Term)
49 Pierre Laval a Meurisse 1931.jpg Pierre Laval
(1883–1945)
5 11 July 1940 13 December 1940 Révolution nationale None Philippe Pétain
Pétain - portrait photographique.jpg
(1940–1944)
53 Pierre-Étienne Flandin 1935.jpg Pierre-Étienne Flandin
(1889–1958)
2 13 December 1940 9 February 1941
58 François Darlan.jpg François Darlan
(1881–1942)
9 February 1941 18 April 1942
49 Pierre Laval a Meurisse 1931.jpg Pierre Laval
(1883–1945)
(as Chief of the Government)
6 18 April 1942 19 August 1944

Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944–1946)

Chairmen of the Provisional Government

Chairman of the Provisional Government
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party
(Political coalition)
Legislature
(Election)
59 De Gaulle-OWI (cropped)-(d).jpg Charles de Gaulle
(1890–1970)
1 3 June 1944 26 January 1946 Independent Provisional
2 I
(1945)
60 Félix Gouin député SFIO 1936.jpg Félix Gouin
(1884–1977)
26 January 1946 24 June 1946 French Section of the Workers' International
(Tripartisme)
61 Georges Bidault.jpg Georges Bidault
(1899–1983)
1 24 June 1946 16 December 1946 Popular Republican Movement
(Tripartisme)
II
(June 1946)
Portrait officiel Vincent Auriol.jpg Vincent Auriol
(1884–1966)
(interim)
28 November 1946 16 December 1946 French Section of the Workers' International
(Tripartisme)
IV Rep.
I
(Nov 1946)
62 Léon Blum en 1936.jpg Léon Blum
(1872–1950)
3 16 December 1946 22 January 1947 French Section of the Workers' International
(Tripartisme)

Fourth French Republic (1946–1958)

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

President of the Council of Ministers
(birth–death)
Term of office Political party
(Political coalition)
Legislature
(Election)
President
(Term)
63 Paul Ramadier en 1947.jpg Paul Ramadier
(1888–1961)
1 22 January 1947 24 November 1947 French Section of the Workers' International
(Tripartisme)
I (Nov.1946) 16 Vincent Auriol
Portrait officiel Vincent Auriol.jpg
(1947–1954)
2
65 Bundesarchiv Bild 183-19000-2453, Robert Schuman.jpg Robert Schuman
(1886–1963)
1 24 November 1947 24 July 1948 Popular Republican Movement
(Third Force)
66 André Marie.jpg André Marie
(1897–1974)
24 July 1948 2 September 1948 Radical Party
(Third Force)
65 Bundesarchiv Bild 183-19000-2453, Robert Schuman.jpg Robert Schuman
(1886–1963)
2 2 September 1948 11 September 1948 Popular Republican Movement
(Third Force)
67 Henri Queuille 1929.jpg Henri Queuille
(1884–1970)
1 11 September 1948 28 October 1949 Radical Party
(Third Force)
61 Georges Bidault.jpg Georges Bidault
(1899–1983)
2 28 October 1949 2 July 1950 Popular Republican Movement
(Third Force)
3
67 Henri Queuille 1929.jpg Henri Queuille
(1884–1970)
2 2 July 1950 12 July 1950 Radical Party
(Third Force)
68 Rene Pleven.jpg René Pleven
(1901–1993)
1 12 July 1950 10 March 1951 Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
(Third Force)
67 Henri Queuille 1929.jpg Henri Queuille
(1884–1970)
3 10 March 1951 11 August 1951 Radical Party
(Third Force)
68 Rene Pleven.jpg René Pleven
(1901–1993)
2 11 August 1951 20 January 1952 Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
(Third Force)
II (1951)
69 Edgar Faure 1955.jpg Edgar Faure
(1908–1988)
1 20 January 1952 8 March 1952 Radical Party
70 Antoine Pinay 1952.jpg Antoine Pinay
(1891–1994)
8 March 1952 8 January 1953 National Centre of Independents and Peasants
71 René Mayer en 1949.jpg René Mayer
(1895–1972)
8 January 1953 28 June 1953 Radical Party
72 Joseph Laniel.PNG Joseph Laniel
(1889–1975)
1 28 June 1953 19 June 1954 National Centre of Independents and Peasants
2 17 René Coty
René Coty - 1954.jpg
(1954–1959)
73 Mendès-France Harcourt 1948.jpg Pierre Mendès France
(1907–1982)
19 June 1954 17 February 1955 Radical Party
69 Edgar Faure 1955.jpg Edgar Faure
(1908–1988)
2 17 February 1955 1 February 1956 Radical Party
75 Guy Mollet Archief.PNG Guy Mollet
(1905–1975)
1 February 1956 13 June 1957 French Section of the Workers' International
(Republican Front)
III (1956)
76 Bourgès-Maunoury - Levi Eshkol 1958 (cropped).jpg Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury
(1914–1993)
13 June 1957 6 November 1957 Radical Party
(Republican Front)
77 Félix Gaillard en 1952.jpg Félix Gaillard
(1919–1970)
6 November 1957 14 May 1958 Radical Party
(Republican Front)
78 Pierre Pflimlin par Claude Truong-Ngoc 1975 (cropped).jpg Pierre Pflimlin
(1907–2000)
14 May 1958 1 June 1958 Popular Republican Movement
59 Commander of Free French Forces Charles de Gaulle seated (cropped).jpg Charles de Gaulle
(1890–1970)
3 1 June 1958 8 January 1959 Union for the New Republic

20th century – 21st century

Fifth French Republic (since 1958)

Prime Ministers

S. No. Portrait Prime Minister
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party
(Political coalition)
Government Legislature
(Election)
President
(Term)
Took office Left office Time in office
79 Michel Debré.jpg Michel Debré
(1912–1996)
8 January 1959 14 April 1962 3 years, 96 days Union for the New Republic Debré [fr] I
(1958)
18 Charles de Gaulle
De Gaulle-OWI (cropped)-(d).jpg
(1959–1969)
80 Georges Pompidou 1969 (cropped).jpg Georges Pompidou
(1911–1974)
14 April 1962 7 December 1962 6 years, 87 days Union for the New Republic Pompidou I [fr]
7 December 1962 8 January 1966 Pompidou II [fr] II
(1962)
8 January 1966 7 April 1967 Pompidou III [fr]
7 April 1967 10 July 1968 Pompidou IV [fr] III
(1967)
81 Opening NATO conferentie Couve de Murville en Luns, Bestanddeelnr 916-4274 (cropped).jpg Maurice Couve de Murville
(1907–1999)
10 July 1968 20 June 1969 345 days Union of Democrats for the Republic Couve de Murville [fr] IV
(1968)
82 EEG-conferentie Den Haag Jacques Chaban-Delmas (cropped).jpg Jacques Chaban-Delmas
(1915–2000)
20 June 1969 5 July 1972 3 years, 15 days Union of Democrats for the Republic Chaban-Delmas [fr] 19 Georges Pompidou

Georges Pompidou 1969 (cropped).jpg
(1969–1974)

83 Pierre Messmer01 (cropped 2).JPG Pierre Messmer
(1916–2007)
5 July 1972 5 April 1973 1 year, 326 days Union of Democrats for the Republic Messmer I [fr]
5 April 1973 1 March 1974 Messmer II [fr] V
(1973)
1 March 1974 27 May 1974 Messmer III [fr]
84 Jacques Chirac (1997) (cropped).jpg Jacques Chirac
(1932–2019)
27 May 1974 25 August 1976 2 years, 90 days Union of Democrats for the Republic Chirac I [fr] 20 Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1975).jpg
(1974–1981)
85 Raymond Barre 1980 (cropped 2).jpg Raymond Barre
(1924–2007)
25 August 1976 30 March 1977 4 years, 269 days Miscellaneous right
(Union for French Democracy)
Barre I [fr]
30 March 1977 5 April 1978 Barre II [fr]
5 April 1978 21 May 1981 Barre III [fr] VI
(1978)
86 Pierre Mauroy 1990.jpg Pierre Mauroy
(1928–2013)
21 May 1981 23 June 1981 3 years, 57 days Socialist Party Mauroy I [fr] 21 François Mitterrand
President François Mitterrand in 1983.jpg
(1981–1995)
23 June 1981 22 March 1983 Mauroy II [fr] VII
(1981)
22 March 1983 17 July 1984 Mauroy III [fr]
87 Laurent Fabius and Catherine McKenna (22913103711) (cropped).jpg Laurent Fabius
(b. 1946)
17 July 1984 20 March 1986 1 year, 246 days Socialist Party Fabius [fr]
(84) Jacques Chirac (1997) (cropped).jpg Jacques Chirac
(1932–2019)
20 March 1986 10 May 1988 2 years, 51 days Rally for the Republic Chirac II [fr] VIII
(1986)
88 Michel Rocard-IMG 3829.jpg Michel Rocard
(1930–2016)
10 May 1988 28 June 1988 3 years, 5 days Socialist Party Rocard I
28 June 1988 15 May 1991 Rocard II IX
(1988)
89 Édith Cresson, Member of the EC (1997) (cropped).jpg Édith Cresson
(b. 1934)
15 May 1991 2 April 1992 323 days Socialist Party Cresson [fr]
90 Pierre Bérégovoy
(1925–1993)
2 April 1992 29 March 1993 361 days Socialist Party Bérégovoy [fr]
91 Édouard Balladur - 1993 (cropped).jpg Édouard Balladur
(b. 1929)
29 March 1993 17 May 1995 2 years, 49 days Rally for the Republic Balladur [fr] X
(1993)
92 Alain Juppé à Québec en 2015 (cropped 2).jpg Alain Juppé
(b. 1945)
17 May 1995 7 November 1995 2 years, 16 days Rally for the Republic Juppé I [fr] 22 Jacques Chirac
Jacques Chirac (1997) (cropped).jpg
(1995–2007)
7 November 1995 2 June 1997 Juppé II [fr]
93 Lionel Jospin, mai 2014, Rennes, France (cropped).jpg Lionel Jospin
(b. 1937)
2 June 1997 6 May 2002 4 years, 338 days Socialist Party Jospin XI
(1997)
94 Jean-Pierre Raffarin par Claude Truong-Ngoc 2013 (cropped 2).jpg Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(b. 1948)
6 May 2002 17 June 2002 3 years, 25 days Liberal Democracy,
later Union for a Popular Movement
Raffarin I [fr]
17 June 2002 31 March 2004 Raffarin II [fr] XII
(2002)
31 March 2004 31 May 2005 Raffarin III [fr]
95 Launch Republique Solidaire 2010-06-19 n05.jpg Dominique de Villepin
(b. 1953)
31 May 2005 17 May 2007 1 year, 351 days Union for a Popular Movement Villepin [fr]
96 François Fillon 2010.jpg François Fillon
(b. 1954)
17 May 2007 19 June 2007 4 years, 364 days Union for a Popular Movement Fillon I [fr] 23 Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy 20220927.jpg
(2007–2012)
19 June 2007 14 November 2010 Fillon II [fr] XIII
(2007)
14 November 2010 15 May 2012 Fillon III
97 Jean-Marc Ayrault (1) (cropped).JPG Jean-Marc Ayrault
(b. 1950)
15 May 2012 21 June 2012 1 year, 320 days Socialist Party Ayrault I 24 François Hollande
François Hollande - 2017 (27869823159) (cropped 2).jpg
(2012–2017)
21 June 2012 31 March 2014 Ayrault II XIV
(2012)
98 Valls Schaefer Munich Economic Summit 2015 (cropped).JPG Manuel Valls
(b. 1962)
31 March 2014 26 August 2014 2 years, 250 days Socialist Party Valls I
26 August 2014 6 December 2016 Valls II
99 Bernard Cazeneuve, (42399145362) (cropped).jpg Bernard Cazeneuve
(b. 1963)
6 December 2016 15 May 2017 160 days Socialist Party Cazeneuve
100 Edouard Philippe 2 (cropped).JPG Édouard Philippe
(b. 1970)
15 May 2017 21 June 2017 3 years, 49 days The Republicans,
later Independent
Philippe I 25 Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Macron 2023 (cropped).jpg
(2017–)
21 June 2017 3 July 2020 Philippe II XV
(2017)
101 Portrait Jean Castex (cropped).jpg Jean Castex
(b. 1965)
3 July 2020 16 May 2022 1 year, 317 days Independent Castex
102 La Première ministre française Élisabeth Borne (cropped).jpg Élisabeth Borne
(b. 1961)
16 May 2022 4 July 2022 1 year, 238 days La République En Marche!,
later Renaissance
Borne I
4 July 2022 9 January 2024 Borne II XVI
(2022)
103 Gabriel Attal, February 2023.jpg Gabriel Attal
(b. 1989)
9 January 2024 Present 351 days Renaissance Attal

Timeline

Executive Prime Ministers (1814 ― 1959)

Pierre Pflimlin Félix Gaillard Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury Guy Mollet Pierre Mendès France Joseph Laniel René Mayer Antoine Pinay Edgar Faure René Pleven Henri Queuille André Marie Robert Schuman Paul Ramadier Vincent Auriol Georges Bidault Félix Gouin Charles de Gaulle François Darlan Philippe Pétain Paul Reynard Léon Blum Fernand Bouisson Pierre-Étienne Flandin Albert Sarraut Édouard Daladier Joseph Paul-Boncour Pierre Laval Théodore Steeg Camille Chautemps André Tardieu Édouard Herriot Frédéric François-Marsal Georges Leygues Alexandre Millerand Paul Painlevé René Viviani Gaston Doumergue Louis Barthou Raymond Poincaré Joseph Callaux Ernest Monis Aristide Briand Georges Clemenceau Ferdinand Sarrien Émile Combes Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau Jules Méline Léon Bourgeois Jean Casimir-Perier Charles Dupuy Alexandre Ribot Émile Loubet Charles Floquet Pierre Tirard Maurice Rouvier René Goblet Henri Brisson Armand Fallières Charles Duclerc Léon Gambetta Jules Ferry Charles de Freycinet William Waddington Gaëtan de Rochebouët Jules Simon Louis Buffet Ernest Courtot de Cissey Albert, duc de Broglie Jules Armand Dufaure Louis-Jules Trochu Charles Cousin-Montauban Émile Ollivier Léon Faucher Alphonse Henri d'Hautpoul Odilon Barrot Louis-Eugène Cavaignac François Arago Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure François Guizot Louis-Mathieu Molé Adolphe Thiers Victor de Broglie (1785–1870) Édouard Mortier Hugues-Bernard Maret Étienne Maurice Gérard Jean-de-Dieu Soult Casimir Pierre Périer Jacques Laffitte Casimir de Rochechouart, duc de Mortemart Jules de Polignac Jean Baptiste Gay, vicomte de Martignac Jean-Baptiste de Villèle Élie, duc de Decazes Jean-Joseph, Marquis Dessolles Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu Pierre Louis Jean Casimir de Blacas Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord

Non-executive Prime Ministers (since 1959)

Gabriel Attal Élisabeth Borne Jean Castex Édouard Philippe Bernard Cazeneuve Manuel Valls Jean-Marc Ayrault François Fillon Dominique de Villepin Jean-Pierre Raffarin Lionel Jospin Alain Juppé Édouard Balladur Pierre Bérégovoy Édith Cresson Michel Rocard Laurent Fabius Pierre Mauroy Raymond Barre Jacques Chirac Pierre Messmer Jacques Chaban-Delmas Maurice Couve de Murville Georges Pompidou Michel Debré

See also

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