Editing List of French monarchs (section)

== Capetian dynasty (987–1792; 1814–1848) ==
{{main|Capetian dynasty}}

The Capetian dynasty is named for Hugh Capet, a [[Robertian]] who served as [[Duke of the Franks]] and was elected King in 987. Except for the Bonaparte-led Empires, every monarch of France was a male-line descendant of Hugh Capet. The kingship passed through patrilineally from father to son until the 14th century, a period known as [[Direct Capetian]] rule. Afterwards, it passed to the [[House of Valois]], a cadet branch that descended from [[Philip III of France|Philip III]]. The Valois claim was disputed by [[Edward III]], the [[Plantagenet]] king of England who claimed himself as the rightful king of France through his French mother [[Isabella of France|Isabella]]. The two houses fought the [[Hundred Years' War]] over the issue, and with [[Henry VI of England]] being for [[Treaty of Troyes|a time partially recognized as King of France]]. 

The Valois line died out in the late 16th century, during the [[French Wars of Religion]], to be replaced by the distantly related [[House of Bourbon]], which descended through the Direct Capetian [[Louis IX]]. The Bourbons ruled France until deposed in the [[French Revolution]], though they were [[Bourbon Restoration in France|restored to the throne]] after the fall of Napoleon. The last Capetian to rule was [[Louis Philippe I]], king of the [[July Monarchy]] (1830–1848), a member of the cadet [[House of Bourbon-Orléans]].

=== House of Capet (987–1328) ===
{{Main|House of Capet}}

The House of Capet are also commonly known as the "Direct Capetians".

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%;"
|+
! width="5%" |Portrait
! width="15%" |Name
! width="5%" |Arms
! width="24%" |Reign
! width="18%" |Succession
! width="25%" |Life details
|-
|[[File:SceauHuguesCapet (cropped).PNG|110px]]
|[[Hugh Capet|'''Hugh''' "Capet"]]<br/><small>''Hugues{{efn|"Capet" ([[latin]]: ''Cappetus'') was not actually a name, but a nickname adopted by later historians. It probably derived from ''chappe'', an ecclesiastical mantle wore at the [[Abbey of Saint Martin of Tours]].{{sfn|Bodin|1840|p=43}}}}''</small>
| rowspan="8" |
|1 June 987{{Efn-lr|Hugh was elected and crowned king on 1 June 987, in [[Noyon]]. He was crowned again on 3 July in [[Paris]] by the [[archbishop of Reims]]. The latter date is usually regarded as the "official" start of the [[Capetian dynasty]].{{sfn|Havet|1891}}}} – 24 October 996<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|987|6|1|996|10|24}})</small>
|Elected king by the French nobles. Son of [[Hugh the Great]] and grandson of [[Robert I of France|Robert I]]{{efn|Hugh was also descendant of [[Charlemagne]]'s sons [[Louis the Pious]] and [[Pepin of Italy]] through his mother and paternal grandmother, respectively, and was also a nephew of [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor]].{{sfn|Alcan|1892|pp=254–261}}}}
|{{Circa}} 941 – 24 October 996<br /><small>(aged c. 55)</small><hr />[[Duke of the Franks]] since 956. Died of natural causes.{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1pp=10–16|2a1=Humphreys|2p=1|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hugh-Capet Hugh]}}
|-
|[[File:Sceau de Robert II le pieux.jpg|110px]]
|[[Robert II of France|'''Robert II''' "the Pious"]]
|24 October 996{{Efn-lr|Robert II was crowned on 30 December 987.{{sfn|Havet|1891}}}} – 20 July 1031<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|996|10|24|1031|7|20}})</small>
|Only son of Hugh Capet
|{{Circa}} 970 – 20 July 1031<br /><small>(aged approx. 60)</small><hr />Married thrice, getting [[excommunicated]] by the Catholic Church. Incorporated the [[Duchy of Burgundy]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1pp=16–20|2a1=Humphreys|2p=2|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-II-king-of-France Robert II]}}
|-
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |''[[Hugh Magnus|Hughes]]<br/><small>(junior king)</small>''<ref name=":1" group="lower-alpha">Because neither Hugh nor Philip were sole or senior king in their own lifetimes, they are not traditionally listed as kings of France and are not given ordinals.</ref>
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |19 June 1017 – 17 September 1025<br/><small>(''under Robert II'')</small>
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |Son of Robert II
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |{{Circa}} 1007 – 17 September 1025<br /><small>(aged approx. 18)</small>{{Sfn|Peignot|p=17}}
|-
|[[File:Sceau du roi Henri Ier.jpg|110px]]
|[[Henry I of France|'''Henry I''']]<br/><small>''Henri''</small>
|20 July 1031{{Efn-lr|Henry I was crowned on 14 May 1027.}} – 4 August 1060<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1031|7|20|1060|8|4}})</small>
|Son of Robert II
|{{Circa}} 1005 – 4 August 1060<br /><small>(aged approx. 55)</small><hr />His reign was marked with internal struggle against feudal lords{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=20–22|2a1=Humphreys|2p=3|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-I-king-of-France Henry I]}}
|-
|[[File:Sceau du roi Philippe Ier.jpg|110px]]
|[[Philip I of France|'''Philip I''' "the Amorous"]]<br/><small>''Philippe''</small>
|4 August 1060{{Efn-lr|Philip I was crowned on 23 May 1059.}} – 29 July 1108<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1060|8|4|1108|7|29}})</small>
|Son of Henry I
|1052 – 29 July 1108<br /><small>(aged 56)</small><hr />Ruled under the regency of [[Anne of Kiev]] and [[Baldwin V, Count of Flanders|Count Baldwin V]] until 1066{{Sfnm|1a1=Thoison|1p=190|2a1=Humphreys|2p=4|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-I-king-of-France Philip I]}}
|-
|[[File:Louis VI of France.jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis VI of France|'''Louis VI''' "the Fat"]]
|29 July 1108{{Efn-lr|Louis VI was crowned on 3 August 1108.}} – 1 August 1137<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1108|7|29|1137|8|1}})</small>
|Son of Philip I
|1081 – 1 August 1137<br /><small>(aged 56)</small><hr />His reign contributed to the centralization of royal power. First king to wage [[Anglo-French Wars|war against the English]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=29–32|2a1=Humphreys|2p=5|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-VI Louis VI]}}
|-
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |''[[Philip of France (1116–1131)|Philippe]]<br/><small>(junior king)</small>''<ref name=":1" group="lower-alpha" />
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |14 April 1129 – 13 October 1131<br/><small>(''under Louis VI'')</small>
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |Son of Louis VI
| bgcolor="#fac8c8" |29 August 1116 – 13 October 1131 <br /><small>(aged 15)</small>{{Sfn|Peignot|p=29}}
|-
|[[File:Louis_7.jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis VII of France|'''Louis VII''' "the Young"]]
|1 August 1137{{Efn-lr|Louis VII was crowned as a child on 25 October 1131, and again on 25 December 1137 alongside [[Eleanor of Aquitaine]].}} – 18 September 1180<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1137|8|1|1180|9|18}})</small>
|Son of Louis VI
|1120 – 18 September 1180<br /><small>(aged 60)</small><hr />Known for his rivalry with [[Henry II of England]] and his military campaigns during the [[Second Crusade]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Thoison|1p=190|2a1=Humphreys|2p=6|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-VII Louis VII]}}
|-
|[[File:Sceau de Philippe Auguste. - Archives Nationales - SC-D157.jpg|110x110px]]
|[[Philip II of France|'''Philip II''' "Augustus"]] <br/><small>''Philippe Auguste''</small>
| rowspan="4" |[[File:Arms of the Kingdom of France (Ancien).svg|75px]]
|18 September 1180{{Efn-lr|Philip II was crowned on 1 November 1179.}}– 14 July 1223<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1180|9|18|1223|7|14}})</small>
|Son of Louis VII
|21 August 1165 – 14 July 1223<br /><small>(aged 57)</small><hr />Regarded as one of the greatest French rulers. First monarch to style himself as "'''King of France'''"{{Sfnm|1a1=Thoison|1p=190|2a1=Humphreys|2p=8|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-II-king-of-France Philip II]}}
|-
|[[File:Louis8.jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis VIII of France|'''Louis VIII''' "the Lion"]]
|14 July 1223{{Efn-lr|Louis VIII was crowned on 6 August 1223.}}– 8 November 1226<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1223|7|14|1226|11|8}})</small>
|Son of Philip II
|5 September 1187 – 8 November 1226<br /><small>(aged 39)</small><hr />[[First Barons' War|Proclaimed king of England]] in 1216, after which he led an unsuccessful invasion{{Sfnm|1a1=Thoison|1p=190|2a1=Humphreys|2p=10|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-VIII Louis VIII]}}
|-
|[[File:Saintlouis (cropped).jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis IX of France|'''Louis IX''' "the Saint"]]
|8 November 1226{{Efn-lr|Louis IX was crowned on 29 November 1226.}}– 25 August 1270<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1226|11|8|1270|8|25}})</small>
|Son of Louis VIII
|25 April 1214 – 25 August 1270<br /><small>(aged 56)</small><hr />Ruled under the regency of [[Blanche of Castile]] until 1234. Died during the [[8th Crusade]]; only king to be venerated by the [[Catholic Church]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Thoison|1p=191|2a1=Humphreys|2p=11|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-IX Louis IX]}}
|-
|[[File:Coronation Philip III 02 (cropped).jpg|110px]]
|[[Philip III of France|'''Philip III''' "the Bold"]] <br/><small>''Philippe''</small>
|25 August 1270{{Efn-lr|Philip III was crowned on 30 August 1271.}}– 5 October 1285<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1270|8|25|1285|10|5}})</small>
|Son of Louis IX
|3 April 1245 – 5 October 1285<br /><small>(aged 40)</small><hr />Greatly expanded French influence in Europe. Died of a fever{{Sfnm|1a1=Thoison|1p=191|2a1=Humphreys|2p=12|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-III-king-of-France Philip III]}}
|-
|[[File:Philip iv and family 2 (detail crop2).jpeg|110px]]
|[[Philip IV of France|'''Philip IV''' "the Fair"]]<br/><small>''Philippe''</small>
| rowspan="5" |[[File:Arms of the Kingdom of France & Navarre (Ancien).svg|75px]]
|5 October 1285{{Efn-lr|Philip IV was crowned on 6 January 1286.}} – 29 November 1314<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1285|10|5|1314|11|29}})</small>
|Son of Philip III
|1268 – 29 November 1314<br /><small>(aged 46)</small><hr />[[King of Navarre]] (as '''Philip I''') since 16 August 1284, following his marriage with [[Joan I of Navarre|Joan I]]. Remembered for his [[Avignon Papacy|struggle with the Roman papacy]] and his consolidation of royal power, which helped to reduce the influence of feudal lords{{Sfnm|1a1=Thoison|1p=191|2a1=Humphreys|2p=14|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-IV-king-of-France Philip IV]}}
|-
|[[File:Ludvík X.png|110px]]
|[[Louis X of France|'''Louis X''' "the Quarreller"]]
|29 November 1314{{Efn-lr|Louis X was crowned on 24 August 1315.}}– 5 June 1316<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1314|11|29|1316|6|5}})</small>
|Son of Philip IV
|3 October 1289 – 5 June 1316<br /><small>(aged 26)</small><hr />[[King of Navarre]] (as '''Louis I''') since 2 April 1305. His short reign was marked by conflicts with the nobility{{Sfnm|1a1=McCarty|1p=330|2a1=Humphreys|2p=15|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-IV-king-of-France Philip IV]}}
|-
|[[File:JeanIposthume.JPG|110px]]
|[[John I of France|'''John I''' "the Posthumous"]] <br/><small>''Jean''</small>
|15–19 November 1316<br/><small>(4 days)</small>
|Posthumous son of Louis X
|King for the [[Child mortality|four days he lived]]; youngest and shortest undisputed monarch in French history{{efn|He lived from 15 to 19 November according to the continuator of [[Guillaume de Nangis]].<ref>Hercule Géraud (1843) ''[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6545870g/f570.item Chronique latine de Guillaume de Nangis, de 1113 à 1300] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128041350/https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6545870g/f570.item |date=28 January 2024 }}''. pp. 430–431.</ref> The ''Chronique Parisienne Anonyme de 1316 à 1339'' gives 13 and 18 November.<ref>Amedée Hellot (1884). ''[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5438578z/f31.item.texteImage Chronique parisienne anonyme du XIVe siècle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229174924/https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5438578z/f31.item.texteImage |date=29 February 2024 }}''. p. 26.</ref> Modern sources often give his lifespan as 15–20 November.{{Sfnm|1a1=Humphreys|1p=15|2a1=''EB''|2loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-I-king-of-France John I] ("19/20 November")}}}}
|-
|[[File:Sacre Philippe5 France 01 (cropped).jpg|110px]]
|[[Philip V of France|'''Philip V''' "the Tall"]]<br/><small>''Philippe''</small>
|20 November 1316{{Efn-lr|Philip V was crowned on 9 January 1317.{{efn|{{harvnb|Humphreys|p=16}} gives 6 January, the same date of Philip IV's coronation. This is a confusion.{{sfn|Jackson|1995|loc=Vol II, [https://books.google.com/books?id=yFICDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA376 p. 376]}}}}}}– 3 January 1322<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1316|11|20|1322|1|3}})</small>
|Son of Philip IV and uncle of John I
|1293/4 – 3 January 1322<br /><small>(aged 28–29)</small><hr />[[King of Navarre]] as '''Philip II'''.<br/>Died without a male heir{{Sfnm|1a1=Thoison|1p=192|2a1=Humphreys|2p=16|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-V-king-of-France Philip V]}}
|-
|[[File:Charles4 mini.jpg|110px]]
|[[Charles IV of France|'''Charles IV''' "the Fair"]]
|3 January 1322{{Efn-lr|Charles IV was crowned on 21 February 1322.}}– 1 February 1328<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1322|1|3|1328|2|1}})</small>
|Son of Philip IV and younger brother of Philip V
|1294 – 1 February 1328<br /><small>(aged 34)</small><hr />[[King of Navarre]] as '''Charles I'''. Died without a male heir, ending the direct line of Capetians{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=85|2a1=Humphreys|2p=17|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-IV-king-of-France Charles IV]}}
|}

=== House of Valois (1328–1589) ===
{{main|House of Valois}}

The death of [[Charles IV of France|Charles IV]] started the [[Hundred Years' War]] between the [[House of Valois]] and the [[House of Plantagenet]], whose claim was taken up by the cadet branch known as the [[House of Lancaster]], over control of the French throne. The Valois claimed the right to the succession by male-only [[primogeniture]] through the ancient [[Salic Law]], having the closest all-male line of descent from a recent French king. They were descended from the third son of [[Philip III of France|Philip III]], Charles, Count of Valois. The Plantagenets based [[English claims to the French throne|their claim]] on being closer to a more recent French king, [[Edward III of England]] being a grandson of [[Philip IV of France|Philip IV]] through his mother, [[Isabella of France|Isabella]]. 

The two houses fought the [[Hundred Years War]] to enforce their claims. The Valois were ultimately successful, and French historiography counts their leaders as rightful kings. One Plantagenet, [[Henry VI of England]], enjoyed ''[[de jure]]'' control of the French throne following the [[Treaty of Troyes]], which formed the basis for continued English claims to the throne of France until 1801. The Valois line ruled France until the line became extinct in 1589, in the backdrop of the [[French Wars of Religion]]. As Navarre did not have a tradition of male-only primogeniture, the Navarrese monarchy became distinct from the French with [[Joan II of Navarre|Joan II]], a daughter of Louis X.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%;"
! width="5%" |Portrait
! width="15%" |Name
! width="5%" |Arms
! width="24%" |Reign
! width="18%" |Succession
! width="25%" |Life details
|-
|[[File:Phil6france.jpg|110px]]
|[[Philip VI of France|'''Philip VI''' "the Fortunate"]]<br/><small>''Philippe''</small>
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Arms of the Kingdom of France (Ancien).svg|75px]]
|1 April 1328{{Efn-lr|Philip VI was crowned on 29 May 1328.}} – 22 August 1350<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1328|4|1|1350|8|22}})</small>
|Son of [[Charles, Count of Valois]], grandson of [[Philip III of France|Philip III]] and cousin of [[Charles IV of France|Charles IV]]
|1293 – 22 August 1350<br /><small>(aged 57)</small><hr />His reign was dominated by the consequences of [[Succession to the French throne#The succession in 1328|a succession dispute]], which led to the [[Hundred Years' War]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1pp=91–96|2a1=Humphreys|2p=19|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-VI Philip VI]}}
|-
|[[File:JeanIIdFrance.jpg|110px]]
|[[John II of France|'''John II''' "the Good"]] <br/><small>''Jean''</small>
|22 August 1350{{Efn-lr|John II was crowned on 26 September 1350.}} – 8 April 1364<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1350|8|22|1364|4|8}})</small>
|Son of Philip VI
|April 1319{{Efn|Sources give his birth date as 6, 16, 20 or 26 April.}} – 8 April 1364<br /><small>(aged 45)</small><hr />Captured by the English at the [[Battle of Poitiers]] (1356); forced to sign a series of humiliating treaties{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|2a1=Humphreys|2p=19|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-II-king-of-France John II]|1p=96}}
|-
|[[File:Charles V France.jpg|110px]]
|[[Charles V of France|'''Charles V''' "the Wise"]]
|[[File:Arms of Charles V of France (counter-seal).svg|80px]]
|8 April 1364{{Efn-lr|Charles V was crowned on 19 May 1364.}}– 16 September 1380<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1364|4|8|1380|9|16}})</small>
|Son of John II; named [[Dauphin of France|Dauphin]] on 16 July 1349
|21 January 1337 – 16 September 1380<br /><small>(aged 43)</small><hr />His reign was marked with internal struggle against feudal lords{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=105|2a1=Humphreys|2p=20|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-I-king-of-France Henry I]}}
|-
|[[File:Charles VI de France - Dialogues de Pierre Salmon - Bib de Genève MsFr165f4.jpg|110px]]
|[[Charles VI of France|'''Charles VI''' "the Mad" "the Beloved"]]
|[[File:Arms of Charles VI of France (counter-seal).svg|80px]]
|16 Sept 1380{{Efn-lr|Charles VI was crowned on 4 November 1380.}}– 21 October 1422<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1380|9|16|1422|10|21}})</small>
|Son of Charles V
|3 December 1368 – 21 October 1422<br /><small>(aged 53)</small><hr />Ruled under the regency of his uncles until 1388. Suffered a long period of mental illness before dying of natural causes{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=112|2a1=Humphreys|2p=21|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-VI-king-of-France Charles VI]}}
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |[[File:Henry VI of England, Shrewsbury book.jpg|110px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |''[[Henry VI of England|Henry (II)]]''<br/><small>(claimant)</small>
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |[[File:Royal Arms of England (1470-1471).svg|80px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |21 October 1422{{Efn-lr|Henry (II) was crowned on 16 December 1431, at [[Notre-Dame de Paris]].}}–<br/>19 October 1453{{Efn|This is the date in which the last English holdout was expelled by the French, with the exception of [[Pale of Calais|Calais]].}}<br/><small>(disputed; 31 years)</small>
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |Maternal grandson of Charles VI, recognized as heir after the [[Treaty of Troyes]] of 21 May 1420
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |6 December 1421 – 21 May 1471<br /><small>(aged 49)</small><hr />[[List of English monarchs|King of England]] since 1 September 1422. Ruled under [[Regency government, 1422–1437|several regencies]] until 1437{{Sfnm|1a1=Curry|1y=1993|1pp=102–122|2a1=Bradford|2y=2004|2pp=621–625|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-VI-king-of-England Henry VI]}}
|-
|[[File:Charles VII by Jean Fouquet 1445 1450.jpg|110px]]
|[[Charles VII of France|'''Charles VII''' "the Victorious" "the Well-Served"]]
|[[File:Coat of Arms of Charles VII of France (counterseal).svg|80px]]
|21 October 1422{{Efn-lr|Charles VII was crowned on 17 July 1429.}} – 22 July 1461<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1422|10|21|1461|7|22}})</small>
|Son of Charles VI and uncle of Henry VI of England, named [[Dauphin of France|Dauphin]] in April 1417
|22 February 1403 – 22 July 1461<br /><small>(aged 58)</small><hr />His reign saw the end of the Hundred Years' War{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=123|2a1=Humphreys|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-I-king-of-France Frances I]|2p=23}}
|-
|[[File:Louis XI (1423-1483).jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis XI|'''Louis XI''' "the Prudent" "the Universal Spider"]]
|[[File:Royal Coat of Arms of Valois France.svg|80px]]
|22 July 1461{{Efn-lr|Louis XI was crowned on 15 August 1461.}} – 30 August 1483<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1461|7|22|1483|8|30}})</small>
|Son of Charles VII
|3 July 1423 – 30 August 1483<br /><small>(aged 60)</small><hr />His reign saw the strengthening and expansion of royal power. Nicknamed "the Universal Spider" for the numerous intrigues during his rule{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=136|2a1=Humphreys|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XI Louis XI]|2p=25}}
|-
|[[File:Portrait of King Charles VIII of France (1470–1498), by anonymous artist, 16th century (cropped) 2.jpg|110px]]
|[[Charles VIII of France|'''Charles VIII''' "the Affable"]]
|[[File:Coat of Arms of Charles VIII of France.svg|80px]]
|30 August 1483{{Efn-lr|Charles VIII was crowned on 30 May 1484.}} – 7 April 1498<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1483|8|30|1498|4|7}})</small>
|Son of Louis XI
|30 June 1470 – 7 April 1498<br /><small>(aged 27)</small><hr />Ruled under the regency of his sister [[Anne of France|Anne]] until 1491. Started the long and unsuccessful [[Italian Wars]]. Died after hitting his head on a [[lintel]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=143|2a1=Humphreys|2p=27|3a1=Knecht|3y=2007|3p=125|4a1=''EB''|4loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-VII Charles VII]}}
|}

==== House of Valois-Orléans (1498–1515) ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%;"
! width="5%" |Portrait
! width="15%" |Name
! width="5%" |Arms
! width="24%" |Reign
! width="18%" |Succession
! width="25%" |Life details
|-
|[[File:Ludwig XII. von Frankreich.jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis XII|'''Louis XII''' "Father of the People"]]
|[[File:Royal Coat of Arms of Valois France.svg|80px]]
|7 April 1498{{Efn-lr|Louis XII was crowned on 27 May 1498.}} – 1 January 1515<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1498|4|7|1515|1|1}})</small>
|Great-grandson of Charles V. Second cousin, and by first marriage son-in-law, of Louis XI
|27 June 1462 – 1 January 1515<br /><small>(aged 52)</small><hr />Briefly conquered the [[Kingdom of Naples]] and the [[Duchy of Milan]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1pp=150|2a1=Humphreys|2p=28|3a1=Knecht|3y=2007|3p=112|4a1=''EB''|4loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XII Louis XII]}}
|}

==== House of Valois-Angoulême (1515–1589) ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%;"
! width="5%" |Portrait
! width="15%" |Name
! width="5%" |Arms
! width="24%" |Reign
! width="18%" |Succession
! width="25%" |Life details
|-
|[[File:François Ier Louvre.jpg|110px]]
|[[Francis I of France|'''Francis I''' "the Father of Letters"]] <br/><small>''François''</small>
| rowspan="4" |[[File:Lesser Coat of Arms of France 1515-1574.svg|80px]]
|1 January 1515{{Efn-lr|Francis I was crowned on 25 January 1515.}} – 31 March 1547<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1515|1|1|1547|3|31}})</small>
|Great-great-grandson of Charles V. First [[cousin once removed]], and by first marriage son-in-law, of Louis XII
|12 September 1494 – 31 March 1547<br /><small>(aged 52)</small><hr />Remembered as a [[French Renaissance|Renaissance]] [[patron of the arts]] and scholarship. Died of a fever{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=157|2a1=Humphreys|2p=30|3a1=Knecht|3y=2007|3p=112|4a1=''EB''|4loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-I-king-of-France Francis I]}}
|-
|[[File:Henry II of France-François Clouet (altered).jpg|110px]]
|[[Henry II of France|'''Henry II''']] <br/><small>''Henri''</small>
|31 March 1547{{Efn-lr|Henry II was crowned on 26 July 1547.}} – 10 July 1559<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1547|3|31|1559|7|10}})</small>
|Son of Francis I, named [[Dauphin of France|Dauphin]] in August 1536
|31 March 1519 – 10 July 1559<br /><small>(aged 40)</small><hr />His reign saw the end of the [[Italian Wars]]. Died after being accidentally stabbed in a [[Jousting]] tournament{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=168|2a1=Humphreys|3a1=''EB''|2p=33|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-II-king-of-France Henry II]}}
|-
|[[File:Portrait du roi de France François II.jpg|110px]]
|[[Francis II of France|'''Francis II''']] <br/><small>''François''</small>
|10 July 1559{{Efn-lr|Francis II was crowned on 18 September 1559.}} – 5 December 1560<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1559|7|10|1560|12|5}})</small>
|Son of Henry II
|20 January 1544 – 5 December 1560<br /><small>(aged 16)</small><hr />[[King consort of Scotland]] since 24 April 1558. A weak and sick boy, he remained under the regency of the [[House of Guise]] until his premature death{{Sfnm|1a1=Curry|1y=1993|1pp=103–122|2a1=Humphreys|2p=35|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-II-king-of-France Francis II]}}
|-
|[[File:Portrait of King Charles IX of France (1550–1574), by After François Clouet.jpg|110px]]
|[[Charles IX of France|'''Charles IX''']]
|5 December 1560{{Efn-lr|Charles IX was crowned on 15 May 1561.}} – 30 May 1574<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1560|12|5|1574|5|30}})</small>
|Younger brother of Francis II
|27 June 1550 – 30 May 1574<br /><small>(aged 23)</small><hr />Ruled under the regency of his mother [[Catherine de' Medici|Catherine]] until 1563, but remained under her influence until his death. The Wars of Religion began under his reign (1562). Best remembered for the [[Massacre of Vassy]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=179|2a1=Humphreys|2p=36|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-IX-king-of-France Charles IX]}}
|-
|[[File:Quesnel Henry III of France in Polish hat.jpg|110px]]
|[[Henry III of France|'''Henry III''']]<br/><small>''Henri''</small>
|[[File:COA - Henry III of France.svg|80px]]
|30 May 1574{{Efn-lr|Henry III was crowned on 13 February 1575.}} – 2 August 1589<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1574|5|30|1589|8|2}})</small>
|Younger brother of Francis II and Charles IX; also [[Family tree of Polish monarchs|related]] to the Bohemian and Polish monarchies
|19 September 1551 – 2 August 1589<br /><small>(aged 37)</small><hr />Initially ruler of [[Poland–Lithuania]].{{efn|Henry III was elected on 15 May 1573.{{sfn|Knecht|2016|p=56. "On 5 May three orators were chosen [...] On 11 May the minority conceded defeat [but the election] did not happen till 15 May."}} He was crowned on 21 February 1574,{{sfn|Knecht|2016|p=76}} but was declared deposed a year later, on 12 May 1575.{{sfn|Knecht|2016|p=84}}}} He reigned through the devastating [[French Wars of Religion|Wars of Religion]], which eventually led to his [[Jacques Clément|own assassination]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=186|2a1=Humphreys|2p=38|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-III-king-of-France-and-Poland Henry III]}}
|}

=== House of Bourbon (1589–1792) ===
{{main|House of Bourbon}}

The Valois line looked strong on the death of [[Henry II of France|Henry II]], who left four male heirs. His first son, [[Francis II of France|Francis II]], died in his minority. His second son, [[Charles IX of France|Charles IX]], had no legitimate sons to inherit. Following the premature death of his fourth son [[Francis, Duke of Anjou|Hercule François]] and the assassination of his third son, the childless [[Henry III of France|Henry III]], France was plunged into a succession crisis over which distant cousin of the king would inherit the throne. The best claimant, King [[Henry III of Navarre]], was a Protestant, and thus unacceptable to much of the French nobility. 

Ultimately, after winning numerous battles in defence of his claim, Henry converted to Catholicism and was crowned as King Henry IV, founding the House of Bourbon. This marked the second time the thrones of Navarre and France were united under one monarch, as different inheritance laws had caused them to become separated during the events of the Hundred Years Wars. The House of Bourbon was overthrown during the [[French Revolution]] and replaced by a short-lived [[First French Republic|republic]].
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%;"
! width="5%" |Portrait
! width="15%" |Name
! width="5%" |Arms
! width="24%" |Reign
! width="18%" |Succession
! width="25%" |Life details
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |[[File:Château de Beauregard - Cardinal Charles de Bourbon (1523-1590).jpg|110px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |[[Charles, Cardinal de Bourbon (born 1523)|''Charles X'']]<br/><small>(claimant)</small>
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |[[File:Coat of Arms of Charles de Bourbon, archbishop of Rouen.svg|80px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |2 August 1589 – 9 May 1590<br/><small>(disputed; {{Age in years, months and days|1589|8|2|1590|5|9}})</small> 
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |7x great-grandson of [[Louis IX]]. Proclaimed king by the [[Catholic League (French)|Catholic League]] in opposition to [[Henry of Navarre]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |22 December 1523 – 9 May 1590<br/><small>(aged 66)</small>
----Imprisoned by Henry III on 23 December 1588; remained his entire "reign" in captivity. Died of natural causes{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=203|2a1=Wellman|2p=83; ''[[Treccani]]'', [https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/borbone-carlo-cardinale-di_(Enciclopedia-Italiana) Carlo]}}
|-
|[[File:Henry IV by Pourbus (cropped).jpg|131x131px]]
|[[Henry IV of France|'''Henry IV''' "the Great" "the Good King"]]<br/><small>''Henri''</small>
| rowspan="6" |[[File:Grand Royal Coat of Arms of France & Navarre (1).svg|80px]]
|2 August 1589{{Efn-lr|Henry IV was crowned on 27 February 1594.}} – 14 May 1610<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1589|8|2|1610|5|14}})</small>
|10th-generation descendant of [[Louis IX]]; also nephew of [[Charles, Cardinal de Bourbon (born 1523)|Charles (X)]] and by first marriage son-in-law of Henry II. Proclaimed king on Henry III's deathbed
|13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610<br/><small>(aged 56)</small>
----[[King of Navarre|King of Lower Navarre]] (as '''Henry III''') since 10 June 1572. Killed in Paris on 14 May 1610 by Catholic fanatic [[François Ravaillac]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=195|2a1=Humphreys|2p=39|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-IV-king-of-France Henry IV]}}
|-
|[[File: LouisXIII.jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis XIII|'''Louis XIII''' "the Just"]]
|14 May 1610{{Efn-lr|Louis XIII was crowned on 17 October 1610.}} – 14 May 1643<br/><small>(33 years)</small>
|Son of Henry IV
|27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643<br/><small>(aged 41)</small>
----Last [[King of Navarre|King of Lower Navarre]] (as '''Louis II''').{{Efn|[[Lower Navarre]] was integrated into France during his reign.}} Died of natural causes.{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=205|2a1=Humphreys|2p=42|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XIII Louis XIII]}}
|-
|[[File:Louis XIV of France.jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis XIV|'''Louis XIV''' "the Great" "the Sun King"]]
|14 May 1643{{Efn-lr|Louis XIV was crowned on 7 June 1654.}} – 1 September 1715<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1643|5|14|1715|9|1}})</small>
|Son of Louis XIII
|5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715<br/><small>(aged 76)</small>
----Ruled under the regency of his mother [[Anne of Austria]] until 1651. [[List of longest-reigning monarchs|Longest reigning sovereign monarch]] in history{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=216|2a1=Humphreys|2p=43|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XIV Louis XIV]}}
|-
|[[File:Louis XV, King of France (1710-1774) edited 2.jpg|110px]]
|[[Louis XV|'''Louis XV''' "the Beloved"]]
|1 September 1715{{Efn-lr|Louis XV was crowned on 25 October 1722.}} – 10 May 1774<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1715|9|1|1774|5|10}})</small>
|Great-grandson of Louis XIV
|15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774<br/><small>(aged 64)</small>
----Ruled under the regency of [[Philippe II, Duke of Orléans|Philippe II, Duke of Bourbon-Orléans]], until 1723{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=238|2a1=Humphreys|2p=47|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XV Louis XV]}}
|-
|[[File:Antoine-François Callet - Louis XVI, roi de France et de Navarre (1754-1793), revêtu du grand costume royal en 1779 - Google Art Project.jpg|110px]]
|'''[[Louis XVI]]'''
|10 May 1774{{Efn-lr|Louis XVI was crowned on 11 June 1775.}} – 21 September 1792<ref group="lower-alpha">Louis XVI's powers as king became obsolete following the [[March on Versailles]] on 5 October 1789, after which he became a hostage of the revolutionary forces.</ref><br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1774|5|10|1792|9|21}})</small>
|Grandson of Louis XV
|23 August 1754 – 21 January 1793<br/><small>(aged 38)</small>
----Forced to install a [[Constitutional Cabinet of Louis XVI|constitutional monarchy]] after 1789. Formally deposed following the proclamation of the [[French First Republic|First Republic]], [[Execution of Louis XVI|executed in public]]{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=253|2a1=Humphreys|2p=51|3a1=''EB''|3loc=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XVI Louis XVI]}}
|-
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |[[File:Louis Charles of France5.jpg|110px]]
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |[[Louis XVII]]<br/><small>(claimant)</small>
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |21 January 1793 – 8 June 1795<br/><small>({{Age in years, months and days|1793|1|21|1795|6|8}}; disputed)</small>
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |Son of [[Louis XVI]]; named [[Dauphin of France|Dauphin]] on 4 June 1789
| bgcolor="#FBDDBD" |27 March 1785 – 8 June 1795<br /><small>(aged 10)</small>
----[[Insurrection of 10 August 1792|Imprisoned]] by the revolutionary forces on 13 August 1792. Remained his entire "reign" in captivity{{Sfnm|1a1=Peignot|1p=260|2a1=''EB''|2p=[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XVII Louis (XVII)]}}
|}