Destinations: France

Stone tools, weapons, and remnants of large stone structures provide evidence that France was inhabited as early as 1.8 million years ago, with early human presence during the Paleolithic era. Archaeological findings, such as cave paintings in Lascaux and other prehistoric sites, demonstrate that early humans, including Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons, lived and thrived in what is now France. These ancient sites offer a glimpse into the life and culture of early human populations in the region.

Historians have theorized that the Celtic tribes, including the Gauls, began settling in France around 600 BC. The area was referred to as Gaul by the Romans and was home to various tribal groups. By the 1st century BC, the Romans, led by Julius Caesar, conquered Gaul, which became part of the Roman Empire. This marked the beginning of a significant period of Roman influence, which shaped the culture and development of the region for centuries.

Christianity was introduced to France during the Roman Empire’s later years, with the conversion of figures such as St. Denis in the 3rd century AD. The spread of Christianity gained momentum in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, particularly with the conversion of the Frankish king Clovis I in 496 AD. The establishment of the Frankish Kingdom laid the foundation for medieval France, and the country would continue to evolve through various dynasties and historical events, including the rise of the Capetian dynasty and the eventual formation of the modern French state.