For history, start with the French Revolution of 1789, which began with the storming of the Bastille, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Then come Louis XIV, the Sun King, who lived at Versailles, Napoleon Bonaparte, crowned emperor in 1804 and author of the Civil Code, the First World War ending on 11 November 1918, and the Second World War: the appeal of 18 June 1940, the Resistance and victory on 8 May 1945. Women won the vote in 1944. Learn the geography too: Paris is the capital, the Loire is the longest river, Mont Blanc is the highest peak and Corsica is the biggest Mediterranean island. For culture, know Victor Hugo, Molière, Montesquieu, Louis Pasteur, Marie Curie, the Louvre and the Tour de France.
What you'll learn
- The key periods in order: the Revolution, the Empire, the two world wars
- The dates of national days and commemorations (14 July, 11 November, 8 May)
- The main geographical landmarks of France and its neighbours
- The writers, scientists, museums and festivals the exam names
A sample question from the bank
Question : Quel événement de 1789 marque le début de la Révolution française ? Réponse : La prise de la Bastille.
Question : Quel est le plus long fleuve de France ? Réponse : La Loire.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need exact dates?
A few anchor dates are enough: 1789, 1804, 1905, 1918, 1940, 1944 and 1945, plus the order of events.
Is the euro in the exam?
Yes: the euro has been the currency of France since 2002, and France was a founding member of what became the European Union.