FRENCH HISTORY

Renaissance France

The Renaissance in France was directly influenced by Italian Renaissance style (literally ‘rebirth’ of ideas and humanity). Between 494 and 1559, France and Austria battled over territories in Italy (the Italian Wars) and as a result of invading Italy, the ideals and aesthetic of the Italian Renaissance spread to France.

France’s King François I actively recruited Italian artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, to decorate his royal residences and welcomed writers such as Rabelais to amuse his Court by telling risqué stories. Leonardo da Vinci in fact lived in Le Clos Lucé in the village of Amboise from 1516 until his death three years later. You can visit Leonardo’s final home which has been restored to how it would have looked during his time.

The Renaissance years were also significant in history for the anti-Catholic rebellion called the Reformation. Playing a central role in the ‘Wars of Religion’ was Catherine de Medici (widow of Henri II) who between 1559 and 1589 virtually ruled France through her sons François II, Charles IX and Henry III (see also Chateau de Chenonceau)..

The Reformation divided the nobility and devastated the country. The Catholic monarchy, including Catherine de Medici, fought with the Huguenots (French Protestants who received help from the English) and the Catholic League (led by the House of Guise)

It’s believed Catherine de Medici instigated the massacre of St Bartholomew’s Eve where more than 8,000 Protestants across the country were killed in a single night.

Peace wasn’t restored in France until the Protestant King, Henry IV, decided ‘Paris is worth a mass’ - meaning he would renounce his Protestant faith for Catholicism and secure his throne. Following this, Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes (1598) to guarantee religious toleration.