A Brief history of France
France is not only one of the oldest empires of the world, but also one of the most powerful. This serene country full of romance and art has been a leading world power for centuries. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, France led the world with new thinkers (Voltaire, Montesquieu) in the age of Enlightenment and inspired millions with the French Revolution. Bordered by Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the Mediterranean Sea, this land lies right within the heart of European culture. With leaders like Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis XIV, and Marie Antoinette, this land commanded power from its people and neighbors alike.