Famous French People

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 1 
Kylian Mbappé
(French Football Forward - Considered One of the Best Players in the World)
Kylian Mbappé
227
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 20, 1998
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris

Regarded as one of the best footballers of the current generation, Kylian Mbappé became only the second teenager to score a goal in the final game of a World Cup. Known for his explosive speed and dribbling skills, Mbappé made an impact at a young age. Very mature for his age, he also believes in giving back to society.

 2 
Emma Watson
(Actress and Activist Best Known for Her Role of 'Hermione Granger' in the 'Harry Potter' Film Series)
Emma Watson
353
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: April 15, 1990
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Paris

English actress, model, and activist, Emma Watson first gained prominence as a child artiste in the Harry Potter film series. The daughter of lawyers, she was determined to go to college despite her busy acting career and graduated from Brown University. A staunch feminist, she is actively involved with organizations that work for the betterment of women.

 3 
Napoleon Bonaparte
(Emperor of the French (1804-1814))
Napoleon Bonaparte
146
Birthdate: August 15, 1769
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ajaccio
Died: May 5, 1821
French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte ruled as the French emperor from 1804 to 1814 and again in 1815. He strengthened France’s position in Europe through the Napoleonic Wars and extended his kingdom. However, he was eventually defeated by the Seventh Coalition at the Battle of Waterloo and sent to exile. 
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 4 
Marie Curie
(The First Woman to Win a Nobel Prize)
Marie Curie
130
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: November 7, 1867
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Warsaw
Died: July 4, 1934
Amongst the most notable scientists of her time, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the sole person to win two Nobel Prize in two different category, and the first woman professor at the University of Paris—Marie Curie’s list of achievements is incredible. She did extensive research in the field of radioactivity and discovered polonium and radium.
 5 
Zinedine Zidane
(French Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as an Attacking Midfielder)
Zinedine Zidane
74
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 23, 1972
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: La Castellane

Amongst the greatest footballers of all time, Zinedine Zidane led France to victories in the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000. Later, the three-time FIFA World Player of the Year took up the position of Real Madrid manager and carved yet another success story by winning major titles like Champions League and UEFA Super Cups.

 6 
Paul Pogba
(French Professional Football Midfielder)
Paul Pogba
146
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 15, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lagny-sur-Marne

Paul Pogba is a prominent football player for the English club Manchester United; in 2016 he was transferred from Juventus to Manchester United for a then-world record transfer fee of £89.3 million, which remains the highest paid fee by any English club. Also an important member of the France national team, he helped France win the 2018 World Cup.

 7 
Eva Green
(Actress and Model Known for Her Independent Films: ‘Cracks’, ‘Womb’, and ‘Perfect Sense’)
Eva Green
68
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: July 6, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Paris

French actress, Eva Green, gained instant fame in 2003 with her first film The Dreamers, directed by the eminent Bernardo Bertolucci. Subsequently she went on to act in a number of notable films like Kingdom of Heaven, Casino Royale, Dark Shadows, Home for Peculiar Children, Franklyn, Cracks and Proxima. She has also acted in television series like Penny Dreadful and Luminaries.

 8 
Antoine Griezmann
(French Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Antoine Griezmann
127
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 21, 1991
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Mâcon

Antoine Griezmann is a French football player. A key member of the France national team, Antoine Griezmann helped his team win the 2018 FIFA World Cup by scoring a goal and assisting another in France's 4-2 win against Croatia. Also an esports enthusiast, Griezmann launched an esports organisation called Grizi Esport in 2020.

 9 
André the Giant
(French Professional Wrestler Known for His Great Size)
André the Giant
217
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 19, 1946
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Coulommiers
Died: January 27, 1993

André the Giant was one of the most popular French wrestlers ever to appear in WWF. He stood over seven feet tall due to a condition aptly called gigantism, but used his condition to gain popularity. Also an actor, André the Giant continues to be one of the most recognizable faces in the world, several years after his death.

 10 
Karim Benzema
(French Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Striker)
Karim Benzema
67
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 19, 1987
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lyon

Karim Benzema is a French football player often described as strong, powerful, and immensely talented striker. Over the years, Karim has gained the reputation of not missing an opportunity to score a goal once he gets inside the penalty area. In 2010, he got into legal trouble after visiting a 16-year-old prostitute in Paris. The charges were dropped in 2014.

 11 
Thierry Henry
(Former French Professional Football Player, Coach and One of the Greatest Strikers of All Time)
Thierry Henry
54
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 17, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Les Ulis

A football coach, Thierry Henry began his career as a player with Monaco team and later also played for Arsenal and Barcelona. A lethal striker, he became a record goal scorer for both France and Arsenal. He played a crucial role in the French victory in 1998 FIFA World Cup and Arsenal’s win in Premier League and the FA Cup.

 12 
Charlemagne
(1st Emperor of the Romans from 800 to 814)
Charlemagne
54
Birthdate: April 2, 0747
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Aachen
Died: January 28, 0814

Also known as Charles the Great, Charlemagne ruled as the king of the Franks, king of the Lombards, and emperor of the Romans at different time periods. Not surprisingly, he had a major impact during the Early Middle Ages as he went about uniting the majority of central and western Europe, for which he is called the Father of Europe.

 13 
Vanessa Paradis
(Singer, Model and Actress)
Vanessa Paradis
51
Birthdate: December 22, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Saint-Maur-des-Fossés

French singer and actress, Vanessa Paradis, became a celebrity at the age of 14 with the French song Joe le taxi in 1987. She tasted further success with English songs like Be My Baby and many other French songs. She has also acted in several French films and has modelled regularly for high-end fashion products by Chanel like perfume and handbags.

 14 
Léa Seydoux
(Actress and Model Best Known for Her Role as ‘Junie’ in the Film ‘The Beautiful Person’)
Léa Seydoux
62
Birthdate: July 1, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Passy

Léa Seydoux is a critically acclaimed French actress who gained international recognition after playing a Bond girl in Spectre. Also known for her modeling career, Seydoux has posed for popular magazines, such as Vogue, L'Officiel, and Numéro. She became the face of Prada's 2013 and 2014 campaign for its fragrances.

 15 
Coco Chanel
(French Fashion Designer Best Known as the Founder of 'Chanel' and Her Signature Perfume ‘Chanel No. 5’)
Coco Chanel
41
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: August 19, 1883
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Saumur
Died: January 10, 1971

Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand. She is credited with replacing the corseted silhouette as the feminine standard of style with a sporty, casual chic. Her work as a designer redefined the fashionable woman in the era post World War I. She also played a vital role in revolutionizing jewelry, handbags, and fragrance.

 16 
N'Golo Kante
(French Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Defensive Midfielder)
N'Golo Kante
60
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 29, 1991
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Paris

N'Golo Kante is a French football player who currently plays for the France national team as well as Chelsea FC. Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, Kanté played a major role in helping his former team Leicester City win their first Premier League title. He also helped France win its second World Cup in 2018.

 17 
Olivier Giroud
(French Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Striker)
Olivier Giroud
58
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 30, 1986
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chambéry

Olivier Giroud is a football player and a prominent member of the France national team. He played a key role in helping his team win the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Thanks to his popularity, Giroud has been a major media personality in France, with appearances in commercials for brands like Hugo Boss and Puma.

 18 
William the Conqueror
(Former King of England (1066 - 1087))
William the Conqueror
33
Birthdate: 1028 AD
Birthplace: Falaise
Died: September 9, 1087

William the Conqueror was the first Norman King of England who ruled from 1066 to 1087. William's conquest had a profound impact on England; his government merged elements of the Norman and English systems that laid the foundations of the medieval English kingdom. He is credited with building castles, mottes, and keeps, including the White Tower and Tower of London.

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 19 
Marion Cotillard
(French Actress Best Known for Her Films: 'La Vie en Rose' and 'Two Days, One Night')
Marion Cotillard
43
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: September 30, 1975
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris
Marion Cotillard delivered an Academy Award-winning performance as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, becoming the first to win the award for a French-language film. She was appreciated for her iconic role of Joan of Arc on stage. She has promoted Lady Dior bags and Chanel No. 5 fragrance.
 20 
Olga Kurylenko
(Ukrainian-French Actress Who Portrayed the Role of Bond Girl in the James Bond Film 'Quantum of Solace')
Olga Kurylenko
72
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: November 14, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Berdyans'k

Olga Kurylenko is a Ukrainian-French model and actress. She gained international recognition after playing a Bond girl in the 2008 film Quantum of Solace. Olga Kurylenko serves as an inspiration to many young girls as she overcame her difficult childhood to become the face of popular brands like Clarins and Bebe.

 21 
Voltaire
(French Historian and Philosopher Known for His Wit and His Pointed Social Critique)
Voltaire
25
Birthdate: November 21, 1694
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Paris
Died: May 30, 1778
18th-century historian, author, philosopher, and advocate of freedom of speech Voltaire was a leading figure of the French Age of Enlightenment. He often ran into trouble for his criticism of the French nobility and the Roman Catholic Church. He once went to Britain on voluntary exile, fearing imprisonment in France.
 22 
Albert Camus
(Philosopher & Novelist)
Albert Camus
36
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 7, 1913
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Drean
Died: January 4, 1960

Albert Camus was a French philosopher and the second-youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. His philosophical views contributed to the rise of absurdism, a philosophical concept. Also a prolific writer, Albert Camus had an illustrious literary career; most of his philosophical essays and novels are still influential.

 23 
Catherine de' Medici
(Queen Consort of France (1547 - 1559))
Catherine de' Medici
28
Birthdate: April 13, 1519
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Florence
Died: January 5, 1589

Catherine de' Medici was an Italian noblewoman who played a key role in the political affairs of France during the rule of her sons, a period which came to be known as the age of Catherine de' Medici. Catherine is credited with saving the monarchy from deposition during the French Wars of Religion

 24 
Anthony Martial
(French Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Forward)
Anthony Martial
66
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 5, 1995
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Massy
Footballer Anthony Martial began his career playing for Les Ulis, Lyon, and AS Monaco. He then signed with Manchester United for the highest fee paid to a teenager back then, and won the 2015–2016 FA Cup. He won the Golden Boy Award for the best European player under 21.
 25 
Charles de Gaulle
(Former French President & Army Officer Who Led 'Free France' against Nazi Germany in World War II)
Charles de Gaulle
21
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 22, 1890
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lille
Died: November 9, 1970

Charles de Gaulle was a French statesman and army officer. Charles de Gaulle fought against Nazi Germany in the Second World War by leading the Free French Forces. He also worked towards re-establishing democracy in France. He founded the Fifth Republic, France's current republican system, and rewrote the Constitution of France. He then served as the president of France.

 26 
René Déscartes
(French Philosopher, Mathematician and Inventor of ‘Analytic Geometry’)
René Déscartes
24
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: March 31, 1596
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Descartes
Died: February 11, 1650
René Descartes, the father of modern philosophy, laid down the idea of rationalism, later followed by Spinoza and Leibniz. Descartes also contributed to the field of analytical geometry and led to the Cartesian coordinate system being named after him. His Meditations on First Philosophy is still taught at many universities.
 27 
Ousmane Dembele
(French Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Winger)
Ousmane Dembele
32
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 15, 1997
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Vernon

Ousmane Dembele is a footballer who currently plays for the France national team as well as Barcelona. Renowned for his speed, agility, and technical ability, Dembele helped his national team win its second FIFA World Cup in 2018. A skillful player, Dembele can use either foot while playing. Although a mid-fielder, he is also known for his ability to score.  

 28 
Francis Ngannou
(Cameroonian-French Professional Mixed Martial Artist)
Francis Ngannou
22
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 5, 1986
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Batié

Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian MMA fighter who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) heavyweight division. The current UFC Heavyweight Champion, Ngannou is renowned for his heavy punches and is the hardest recorded puncher of all time. Ngannou is also known for his philanthropic efforts; the Francis Ngannou Foundation aims at helping young people train in a gym.

 29 
Claude Monet
(French Painter and Founder of 'Impressionism')
Claude Monet
34
Birthdate: November 14, 1840
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Paris
Died: December 5, 1926

Claude Monet was a French painter. The founder of French Impressionist painting, Monet's painting Impression, soleil levant gave rise to the term Impressionism. Often dubbed the driving force behind Impressionism, Monet mastered the art of painting the same scene several times so as to capture the changing of the light. Since his death, his paintings have sold for record prices.

 30 
Brigitte Bardot
(French Actress and Singer Known for Her Films: ‘And God Created Woman’ and ‘Viva Maria!’)
Brigitte Bardot
36
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: September 28, 1934
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris

Brigitte Bardot is a French former singer and actress. One of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s, Bardot remains a major pop culture icon despite quitting the entertainment industry in 1973. Bardot is credited with popularizing the bikini. She also popularized the town of Armação dos Búzios and the city of St. Tropez in Brazil.

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 31 
Victor Hugo
(French Writer of the Romantic Movement Best Known for His Novel 'Les Misérables' and Play 'Ruy Blas')
Victor Hugo
28
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 26, 1802
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Besançon
Died: May 22, 1885

Victor Hugo was a French poet, dramatist, and novelist of the Romantic movement. Regarded as one of the best-known and greatest French writers of all time, Victor Hugo wrote abundantly during his career that spanned over six decades. Thanks to his works, such as Hernani and Cromwell, Victor Hugo was one of the leading figures of the Romantic literary movement.

 32 
Napoleon III
(President of France from 1848 to 1852 and Emperor of the French from 1852 to 1870)
Napoleon III
39
Birthdate: April 20, 1808
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Paris
Died: January 9, 1873
Napoleon III, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, was the first president of France, from 1848 to 1852, and the French emperor from 1852 to 1870. He rebuilt Paris and other French cities, apart from reforming the French banks, railways, and marines. He lost the Franco-Prussian War and eventually died in exile.
 33 
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
(Philosopher, Writer, & Composer Whose Political Philosophy Influenced the Progress of the Age of Enlightenment)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
30
Birthdate: June 28, 1712
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Geneva
Died: July 2, 1778

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, composer, and writer. His political philosophy influenced aspects of the French Revolution. He also helped develop modern economic, political, and educational thought. His writing inspired a transformation in French drama and poetry. His works also influenced such writers around the world as Tolstoy. His works as a composer were acknowledged by composers like Mozart.

 34 
Louis Pasteur
(French Chemist and Microbiologist Who Discovered the Principles of Vaccination, Microbial Fermentation and Pasteurization)
Louis Pasteur
27
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 27, 1822
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Dole
Died: September 28, 1895
Considered one of the founders of bacteriology, Louis Pasteur created vaccines for anthrax and rabies, and invented the process of heating food and wine to kill microbes that cause contamination, which was named pasteurization after him. Known as the “father of microbiology,” he also founded the Pasteur Institute in Paris.  
 35 
Eric Cantona
(One of the Greatest Footballers of His Generation)
Eric Cantona
46
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 24, 1966
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Marseille

Eric Cantona is a French actor, filmmaker, and former football player. During his playing career, Cantona was a key player for the popular football club Manchester United and is often credited with reviving the club's reputation as a footballing force. Nicknamed King Eric by Manchester United fans, Eric Cantona continues to enjoy an iconic status within the club.

 36 
Louis XVI of France
(King of France)
Louis XVI of France
28
Birthdate: August 23, 1754
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Palace of Versailles
Died: January 21, 1793

Louis XVI of France reigned as the last king of France from 1774 to 1792 before the French Revolution, which ended the monarchy in France. During his reign, Louis made attempts to remove land and labor tax, abolish serfdom, and improve tolerance toward non-Catholics. However, the proposed reforms were opposed by the French nobility.

 37 
Louis XIV of France
(King of France from 1643 to 1715)
Louis XIV of France
27
Birthdate: September 5, 1638
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Died: September 1, 1715

Louis XIV of France reigned as the King of France from 1643 to 1715. Louis XIV is the longest-reigning monarch of a sovereign country in the history of Europe. Under his rule, France often asserted its military prowess and emerged as the most dominant European monarchy. His life inspired several films, such as The Taking of Power by Louis XIV.

 38 
Josephine Baker
(First Black Woman to Star in a Major Motion Picture, the 1927 Silent Film 'Siren of the Tropics')
Josephine Baker
39
Birthdate: June 3, 1906
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: St. Louis
Died: April 12, 1975
Nicknamed Black Pearl and Creole Goddess, Josephine Baker was the first Black woman to appear in a motion picture. She was a revue dancer, famous for her signature banana costume. A civil rights activist, she helped the French military during World War II. She adopted 12 children of different ethnicities.
 39 
Tony Parker
(French-American Professional Basketball Player Who Plays as a Point Guard)
Tony Parker
28
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 17, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bruges

Tony Parker is a French-American former basketball player. During his playing career, he helped the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA win four NBA championships. He currently plays a major role in France's professional basketball league 'LNB Pro A' where he owns one of the league's team, ASVEL Basket. Also a philanthropist, Parker serves as the ambassador for Make-A-Wish France.

 40 
Mélanie Laurent
(Known for Her Performance in ‘Now You See Me’ and ‘Inglourious Basterds’)
Mélanie Laurent
23
Birthdate: February 21, 1983
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paris

French actor Mélanie Laurent shot to fame with her Étoiles d'Or-winning role in Dikkenek and her César Award-winning performance in Don't Worry, I'm Fine. She made her Hollywood debut with Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, and was also seen in Now You See Me. She has also released a music album.

 41 
David Guetta
(French DJ and Music Producer Known for His Singles ‘Gettin' Over You’ and ‘When Love Takes Over’)
David Guetta
23
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: November 7, 1967
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Paris

David Guetta is a French songwriter, record producer, and DJ. Over the years, Guetta has been one of the most popular DJs in the world; in 2011 and 2020, he was voted the best DJ in a poll conducted by DJ Magazine. Referred to as the grandfather of EDM, Guetta has several prestigious awards under his belt, including two Grammys.

 42 
Edith Piaf
(French Singer and One of Country's Most Widely Known International Stars)
Edith Piaf
42
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: December 19, 1915
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris
Died: October 11, 1963
France’s legendary singer and actor Édith Piaf, or the “Little Sparrow,” is best remembered for her iconic Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted song La Vie en Rose and the classic Non, je ne regrette rien. Raised by the prostitutes of her grandmother’s brothel, she began her life as a street singer.
 43 
Franck Ribéry
(One of the Best Football Players of His Generation)
Franck Ribéry
16
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 7, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Boulogne-sur-Mer

Franck Ribéry is a French football player who currently plays for the Italian football club, Salernitana. Ribéry plays as a midfielder and is renowned for his precise passing, pace, and skill. Recognized as one of the best footballers of his generation, Franck Ribéry was once referred to as the jewel of French football by former captain Zinedine Zidane.

 44 
Jules Verne
(French Author Who Was One of the Pioneers of the Modern Science Fiction Genre)
Jules Verne
12
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 8, 1828
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Nantes
Died: March 24, 1905
French author Jules Verne, also known as the “Father of Science Fiction,” is best remembered for his legendary adventure novels Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. He also became the world’s second most-translated writer since 1979.
 45 
Alexandre Dumas
(One of the Most Popular and Widely Read French Authors of the 19th Century)
Alexandre Dumas
14
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 24, 1802
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Villers-Cotterêts
Died: December 5, 1870

One of the most widely read French authors of all time, Alexandre Dumas was prolific in several genres. He joined the army as a young man and later became a full-time writer. Starting his writing career as a playwright, he moved on to writing novels. His novels have been adapted into nearly 200 films in the past century.

 46 
Jean Reno
(French Actor Who has Worked in American, French, English, Japanese, Spanish and Italian Movie Productions)
Jean Reno
12
Birthdate: July 30, 1948
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Casablanca
French-Moroccan actor Jean Reno is best known for his roles in Godzilla, The Pink Panther, and Mission Impossible. He has also been part of French, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish films, and was nominated for a European Film Award for his role in Les Rivières pourpres, or Crimson Rivers.
 47 
Jean-Paul Sartre
(Novelist, Playwright, & Philosopher)
Jean-Paul Sartre
23
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 21, 1905
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris
Died: April 15, 1980

Jean-Paul Sartre was a French philosopher, writer, literary critic, and political activist. One of the most important personalities in the philosophy of phenomenology and existentialism, Sartre played a crucial role in 20th-century French philosophy. His work continues to influence literary studies, post-colonial theory, sociology, and critical theory. He was honored with the 1964 Nobel Prize in Literature.

 48 
Claude Debussy
(French Impressionist Composer Best Known for His Opera 'Pelléas et Mélisande')
Claude Debussy
17
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: August 22, 1862
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Died: March 25, 1918

Claude Debussy was a French composer whose career spanned over 30 years. Regarded as one of the most influential composers of his generation, Claude Debussy's works have influenced several other composers, such as Bill Evans, George Benjamin, Olivier Messiaen, and Béla Bartók. Claude Debussy is also regarded as the first Impressionist composer, though he rejected the term.

 49 
Yves Saint Laurent
(French Fashion Designer and Founder of His Eponymous Fashion Label)
Yves Saint Laurent
12
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: August 1, 1936
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Oran
Died: June 1, 2008

Yves Saint Laurent was a French fashion designer who founded his eponymous fashion label in 1961. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most popular and influential fashion designers, Saint Laurent is credited with helping women all over the world find confidence by looking both elegant and comfortable at the same time. His life and career inspired many films.

 50 
Kristin Scott Thomas
(Character actor, Stage actor, Film actor)
Kristin Scott Thomas
18
Birthdate: May 24, 1960
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Redruth
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

French writers like Albert Camus and Jean Paul Sartre were more than just authors of famous novels; they were distinguished philosophers in their own right. Even our children ought to be grateful to the French for giving them fairytales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Puss in Boots. Cinema was created by two Frenchmen, two Frenchmen, Auguste and Louis Lumière and today France is a leader in filmmaking. The French have also left indelible marks on the fields of medicine, fashion, architecture and sports. Aren’t you intrigued to learn more about the French? Browse on to discover many more fascinating details about the famous people of France.