The most famous people in France. Famous, great, outstanding Frenchmen, who glorified their country

Writers and scholars, rebels and kings, generals and town planners - famous people of France have done much to develop not only their country, but the whole world. We all know who Jules Verne, Jacques Cousteau, Alexandre Dumas is ... We will add this list to the names of several other significant figures who deserve no less admiration.

Honore de Balzac

This famous French writer was born in May 1799 in Tours. The particle "de" to his name Balzac added himself, because he claimed a noble lineage (although his parents were peasants). Honore studied at Vendome College from 1806 to 1813, and completed his studies in Paris and Tours. At first, the young man worked in the judiciary office, but the post of the clerk did not satisfy him. Since 1819, he decided to go on a free voyage and began to create. At first he published novels of a clearly commercial plan (under a pseudonym). A significant role in the life of Balzac was played by his connection with Madame de Bernie - an attractive woman of forty-five years. These feelings spiritually enriched the young writer.

The first creation, produced by Balzac under his own name, is the novel The Last Shuang (1829). After that, they started talking about Honore. The writer tried to display the social side of his homeland. In addition, he was distinguished by his desire to diagnose the society and offer an effective mixture for the treatment of all his ailments. This goal is a red thread through all the works of the master, occupying a central place in the "Philosophical sketches." It is noteworthy that the writer was interested in the rich and famous Frenchmen, and not the working people. Balzac was even proud of how well he knew the upper world.

Jean-Paul Belmondo

Many famous people of France glorified the country on the world cinema scene. However, the brightest star in this area is most recognized by Jean-Paul Belmondo. He was born in Paris in 1933, his father was a famous sculptor. The young man went to learn all the subtleties of acting in the Conservatory of Dramatic Art, but was dissatisfied with the time spent in this school. The problem was the training system, which Jean-Paul considered simply obsolete.

Initially, Belmondo took part in theatrical entreprises. He first appeared on the screen in the film "About Moliere and his plays," but the real debut of the actor is the tape "Sunday. We will steal. " The picture came out on a wide screen in 1957. During this period Belmondo actively offered work not only at home, but also abroad, in particular in the USA and Italy.

The zenith of the actor's fame came in the 1970s. Thanks to the uncommon gift of reincarnation, Jean-Paul shone in such films as "Magnificent" (1973) and "Monster" (1976). The most significant work of the eighties was "Marginal" (1983). As a born lycee, Belmondo enjoys the entertainment of the public and demonstrates his athletic abilities, but intellectual cinema brings him no less pleasure .

Jules Verne

Many famous people of France began to build their careers in the wrong field they would like to have. So Jules Verne, who studied jurisprudence, decided to turn off the beaten track to do what he liked. In 1850, the young writer began to make his first steps to fame: his play "Broken Straws", staged at the "Historical Theater" by Alexandre Dumas, was received by the audience very favorably. The success of the novel "Five Weeks in a Balloon" (the cycle "Unusual Journeys") inspired Vern for further work in this manner. The writer more and more liked to describe the scientific miracles that were born in his imagination.

Jules Verne is the author of more than seventy novels. It was he who, at first seemed incredible, predicted the creation of an aqualung, a submarine, television, and flights to space.

Charles de Gaulle

What famous people in France influenced the development of the state? Of course, politics. One of the most successful - Charles de Gaulle - the first president and founder of the Fifth Republic. In the years of his reign (1959-1969), a new version of the Constitution was adopted and the powers of the head of state were significantly expanded. He seriously engaged in the implementation of plans to build his own nuclear weapons of the country, developed Soviet-French cooperation and initiated withdrawal from NATO.

As noted by de Gaulle himself, the views of such outstanding personalities as Charles Pegi (poet, publicist), Maurice Barres (writer), Emil Butre and Henri Bergson (philosophers) greatly influenced the formation of his worldview.

During World War II, de Gaulle's life changed radically. First, he broke the peace treaty with fascist Germany and went to England to organize a struggle for the liberation of his country. In exile, he founded the association "Free France" and called on his compatriots not to surrender in the struggle for independence from the aggressor.

In the conduct of foreign policy, Charles de Gaulle adhered to the idea of national greatness of his state. As for domestic policy, it paid much less attention.

Alexander Dumas the elder

Many great people of France were known far beyond their homeland. The same can be said about the brilliant writer Alexander Dumas. His adventure novels were read by the whole world. In addition, he was a journalist and playwright. Children's years, adolescence and youth of Dumas were held in Villiers-Cauterets. Thanks to the good reputation and aristocratic connections of his parents, Alexander managed to obtain a post in the Paris office of the Duke of Orleans. The first historical and journalistic essay was a work called "Gallia and France" (the year of writing - 1833).

Alexander Dumas the Younger

This person occupies a special place in the list of "Outstanding People of France". The illegitimate son of Alexandre Dumas the elder became the most famous playwright. His mother was a dressmaker. Although thanks to the support of his father, the boy did not need, his entire childhood was imbued with a feeling of inferiority. After personal experiences will be reflected in several of his works. The master of the word managed to make the French drama a powerful tool for influencing the society. He did not hesitate to declaratively express his thoughts in long forewords to his own plays, acting as a moral arbiter.

One of Dumas's most popular works is "The Money Question". In it, he ridicules the shameless nouveaux riches. The author illuminates the painful subject of illegitimate children in a play called "Illegitimate Son" and in the drama "The Prodigal". In the work "The wife of Claude," Dumas even managed to substantiate the moral right of her husband to murder the unfaithful wife.

Joan of Arc

Some people who glorified France were not afraid to die for their ideas. The famous Orleans maiden became a notorious innocent victim of political disagreements. A girl from a poor peasant family became the leader of her compatriots against the invaders-Englishmen. In 1429, she managed to free from the siege of Orleans. In May 1430, she was captured by the enemy.

On January 9, 1431, she was forced to appear before the Inquisition. Accused of heresy and witchcraft, Jeanne was sentenced to be burned alive. In May 1920, through the efforts of the Catholic Church, the Maid of Orleans was ranked among the saints.

Jacques-Yves Cousteau

This is the most famous Frenchman who explored the World Ocean. In addition, Cousteau was a talented photographer, writer, inventor and director.

Thanks to the joint work with Emil Gagnan, Jacques-Yves managed to realize the idea of an adaptation that allows him to stay under water for a long time-an aqualung.

Father Cousteau studied jurisprudence in the French capital. At one time he was the youngest doctor of law in the country. His wife was Elizabeth Duranton. Soon after the marriage they had a son. The boy was named Pierre-Antoine. His brother, Jacques-Yves, was born four years later. The future researcher was interested in the depths of the sea from early childhood. Life of Cousteau was interrupted due to myocardial infarction. Jacques-Yves preferred to call himself an oceanographic technician. The last years of the researcher were overshadowed by litigation with his own son for the right to use the name of Cousteau, at that time already a brand.

Conclusion

Not all the well-known French were listed above. A great contribution to the development of the country was made by such geniuses as Pierre Curie, Jean Baptiste Lamarque, Gilbert Lafayette, Claude Lelouch, Henri Matisse, Molière, Claude Monet, Guy de Maupassant, Andre Maurois, Marguerite of Navarre, Louis Pasteur and many others.