Kings and Queens of France

Explanation: Clovis I, King of the Franks, was baptized around 496 in Reims by Bishop Remigius. This event symbolically marks the birth of Christian France.

Explanation: Marie Antoinette of Austria, the last Queen of France, was executed on October 16, 1793. She remains famous for the (apocryphal) phrase "Let them eat cake."

Explanation: Henry IV, first king of the Bourbon dynasty, ended the Wars of Religion by signing the Edict of Nantes. A converted Protestant himself, he allegedly said "Paris is well worth a mass."

Explanation: Louis IX, known as Saint Louis (1214-1270), was canonized in 1297. He is famous for dispensing justice under an oak tree at Vincennes and for leading two Crusades.

Explanation: Louis XIV (1638-1715) reigned for 72 years, the longest reign in French history. He built the Palace of Versailles and embodied absolute monarchy.

Explanation: Charlemagne (Charles the Great) was crowned Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III on December 25, 800, restoring the Western Roman Empire.

Explanation: Francis I ordered the construction of Chambord Castle in 1519. This jewel of the French Renaissance was reportedly inspired by Leonardo da Vinci.

Explanation: Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII, served as regent from 1643 to 1651 alongside Cardinal Mazarin. She had to face the Fronde uprisings of princes and Parliament.

Explanation: Philip II Augustus won this decisive victory against an Anglo-Germanic coalition. The battle consolidated royal power and expanded the French domain.

Explanation: Charles VII, nicknamed "the Victorious", was crowned on July 17, 1429 after Joan of Arc liberated Orléans and opened the road to Reims.