France has had 25 presidents since the office was established in the modern republican era. The current president is Emmanuel Macron, who has been in office since 14 May 2017 and was re-elected in 2022. This list covers the full chronological sequence of French presidents, from the first holder of the office to the present day, along with key details about their terms and notable facts.
The presidency of France has evolved significantly since its inception in 1848. From the short-lived Second Republic through the stability of the Fifth Republic, the role has become one of the most powerful executive offices in Europe. Understanding the sequence of presidents offers insight into French political history and constitutional development.
Who Are the French Presidents in Order? A Complete Chronological List
Emmanuel Macron
– present
8 (including Macron)
25
François Mitterrand (14 years)
Key Insights
- The French Fifth Republic has had 8 presidents since 1958, a period of relative political stability.
- Emmanuel Macron is the youngest French president ever elected (age 39 in 2017).
- François Mitterrand served the longest term (14 years, 1981–1995).
- There has been a clear 5-year presidential term since 2002 (previously 7 years).
- France has had 25 presidents since 1848, spanning multiple republics.
- Charles de Gaulle founded the Fifth Republic and served as its first president.
- The presidential term was reduced from 7 years to 5 years following a 2000 referendum.
Complete List of French Presidents (1848–Present)
| President | Term | Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte | 1848–1852 | Second Republic |
| Adolphe Thiers | 1871–1873 | Third Republic |
| Patrice de Mac-Mahon | 1873–1879 | Third Republic |
| Jules Grévy | 1879–1887 | Third Republic |
| Sadi Carnot | 1887–1894 | Third Republic |
| Jean Casimir-Périer | 1894–1895 | Third Republic |
| Félix Faure | 1895–1899 | Third Republic |
| Émile Loubet | 1899–1906 | Third Republic |
| Armand Fallières | 1906–1913 | Third Republic |
| Raymond Poincaré | 1913–1920 | Third Republic |
| Paul Deschanel | 1920 | Third Republic |
| Alexandre Millerand | 1920–1924 | Third Republic |
| Gaston Doumergue | 1924–1931 | Third Republic |
| Paul Doumer | 1931–1932 | Third Republic |
| Albert Lebrun | 1932–1940 | Third Republic |
| Vincent Auriol | 1947–1954 | Fourth Republic |
| René Coty | 1954–1959 | Fourth Republic |
| Charles de Gaulle | 1959–1969 | Fifth Republic |
| Georges Pompidou | 1969–1974 | Fifth Republic |
| Valéry Giscard d’Estaing | 1974–1981 | Fifth Republic |
| François Mitterrand | 1981–1995 | Fifth Republic |
| Jacques Chirac | 1995–2007 | Fifth Republic |
| Nicolas Sarkozy | 2007–2012 | Fifth Republic |
| François Hollande | 2012–2017 | Fifth Republic |
| Emmanuel Macron | 2017–present | Fifth Republic |
For an authoritative reference, the Élysée — The presidents of the Republic provides the official government list of all presidents. Additionally, the List of presidents of France offers a comprehensive historical overview.
French Presidents of the French Fifth Republic (1958–Present)
The Fifth Republic, established in 1958, marked a major shift in French governance. The president gained significant executive powers, including the ability to dissolve the National Assembly and appoint the Prime Minister. Charles de Gaulle, the founding figure of the Fifth Republic, served as its first president from 1959 to 1969.
A total of 8 presidents have led France under the Fifth Republic. The current incumbent, Emmanuel Macron, is the 25th president of France and the 8th president of the Fifth Republic. Macron first took office on and won a second term in 2022.
French Presidents Since 1945 (Fourth Republic and Fifth Republic)
Since 1945, France has been governed under two republics. The Fourth Republic (1946–1958) saw two presidents: Vincent Auriol (1947–1954) and René Coty (1954–1959). The Fifth Republic, which followed, has had 8 presidents to date.
French Presidents Since 2000 (Modern Era)
The period since 2000 has seen four presidents: Jacques Chirac (1995–2007), Nicolas Sarkozy (2007–2012), François Hollande (2012–2017), and Emmanuel Macron (2017–present). This era has been marked by a stable 5-year presidential term, which has been in effect since 2002, replacing the previous 7-year term.
Who Is the Current French President? (2025)
Emmanuel Macron is the current President of France, serving his second term. He has been in office since and was re-elected in 2022. He is the 25th president of France and the youngest person ever elected to the office, having been elected at age 39 in 2017.
Emmanuel Macron: Incumbent Since 2017
Born in 1977, Macron entered the presidency as a centrist reformer. His political background includes service as Minister of Economy during François Hollande’s presidency. In 2017, he founded the political movement La République En Marche and defeated Marine Le Pen in the presidential runoff.
Emmanuel Macron was elected in 2017 at age 39, making him the youngest president in the history of the French Republic. He has been married to Brigitte Macron since 20 October 2007.
During his second term, Macron faces challenges including pension reform, immigration policy, and maintaining political momentum amid parliamentary fragmentation. His re-election in 2022 marked the first time since 2002 that an incumbent French president was re-elected.
The Role of the French Prime Minister Alongside the President
The French president is the head of state and sets national policy direction, while the prime minister is the head of government and manages day-to-day administration. The president appoints the prime minister, who is typically from the parliamentary majority. This dual executive structure is a defining feature of the Fifth Republic.
Who Is the French President’s Wife?
Brigitte Macron, wife of Emmanuel Macron, is the current spouse of the French president. They have been married since 20 October 2007. Brigitte Macron has played a visible public role as First Lady, focusing on education and disability-related issues.
Brigitte Macron: Biography and Public Role
Brigitte Macron is a former literature teacher. She met Emmanuel Macron when he was a student. Her public role as First Lady has been defined by initiatives in education, disability advocacy, and cultural promotion. She accompanies the president on official visits, and her public profile has been well-documented.
Wives of Previous French Presidents
French presidents have not always had officially highlighted presidential spouses in the same way across eras, and the sources provided do not include a full spouse list for every president. Historical records vary in documentation depth. Some presidents of the Third Republic, for instance, were unmarried during their time in office or had relatively private family lives. The most recent presidents, however, have had well-documented marriages and public roles for their spouses.
Who Are the Most Famous French Presidents?
Certain French presidents stand out in historical memory for their transformational impact. Their legacies continue to shape political discourse and national identity.
Charles de Gaulle (1959–1969)
Charles de Gaulle founded the Fifth Republic and served as its first president. A military leader during World War II, he led the Free French forces and later returned to power in 1958 to resolve the Algerian crisis. His vision of a strong presidency and independent foreign policy defined French politics for decades. He is widely considered the most influential French president of the modern era.
François Mitterrand (1981–1995)
François Mitterrand served the longest term of any French president, holding office for 14 years. As a Socialist, his presidency was marked by major reforms including the abolition of the death penalty, decentralization laws, and the construction of the Louvre Pyramid. He also oversaw France’s deepening commitment to European integration.
Jacques Chirac (1995–2007)
Jacques Chirac served as president for two terms, from 1995 to 2007. He was the second-longest serving president of the Fifth Republic. His presidency saw the introduction of the 5-year term, France’s opposition to the Iraq War in 2003, and a period of economic reform. His leadership was notable for its focus on bridging social divides within France.
The French Fifth Republic has had only 8 presidents since its founding in 1958. This period of stability contrasts with the frequent changes of the Third and Fourth Republics, which had numerous short-lived governments.
Timeline of French Presidents Since 1945
The following timeline traces French presidents since the end of World War II, marking significant transitions in French political history.
- 1947–1954: Vincent Auriol (Fourth Republic)
- 1954–1959: René Coty (Fourth Republic)
- 1959–1969: Charles de Gaulle (Fifth Republic begins)
- 1969–1974: Georges Pompidou
- 1974–1981: Valéry Giscard d’Estaing
- 1981–1995: François Mitterrand
- 1995–2007: Jacques Chirac
- 2007–2012: Nicolas Sarkozy
- 2012–2017: François Hollande
- 2017–present: Emmanuel Macron
This timeline is based on data from the Britannica list of presidents of France and the official Élysée Palace website.
Certainty Notes: Acting vs. Elected Presidents
The full list of French heads of state includes some figures who served in an acting capacity rather than as elected presidents. This distinction matters for understanding the complete historical record.
Established Information
- France has had 25 elected presidents since the office was established in 1848.
- The Fifth Republic has had 8 presidents since 1958.
- Emmanuel Macron is the 25th and current president.
- François Mitterrand served the longest term at 14 years.
Information That Remains Unclear
- Alain Poher served as Acting President twice (1969 and 1974) between elections. He is counted in the full list of heads of state but is not always included in ‘elected president’ lists.
- The transition from the Fourth to the Fifth Republic (1958–1959) involved a period where Charles de Gaulle was President of the Council before becoming President of the Republic.
These nuances explain minor variations in different published lists when counting French presidents. For the most comprehensive historical data, cross-referencing the Wikipedia list of presidents of France along with official records is recommended.
Context: The Role of the French President
The French President is the head of state, head of the executive, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Under the Fifth Republic, the president holds significant power, including the ability to dissolve the National Assembly and appoint the Prime Minister. The president is elected directly by the people every five years.
This institutional framework was designed to provide executive stability, a response to the political fragmentation of the Fourth Republic. The president’s powers include setting national policy priorities, representing France internationally, and guaranteeing national independence and territorial integrity. The presidency of the Fifth Republic stands at the center of the French political system, balancing the parliamentary system with a strong executive.
The presidential term length changed from 7 years to 5 years following a 2000 referendum. This change has affected the electoral cycle and the relationship between presidential and parliamentary elections.
Where Can I Verify the Official List of French Presidents?
The authoritative source for the official list of French presidents is the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French president. Their website maintains a complete record of all presidents, providing photo portraits and term dates. This official list can be cross-referenced with independent historical sources such as Britannica for verification.
“The current president is Emmanuel Macron.” — Featured snippet from Google search results
Sergey Brin, Google
For thorough historical research, the Élysée Palace — The presidents of the Republic serves as the primary source, while the Wikipedia — List of presidents of France provides a comprehensive history that includes party affiliations and acting presidents.
How Many French Presidents Have There Been in Total?
France has had 25 presidents since the office was established in 1848. This count includes presidents from all five French republics. The Fifth Republic, which began in 1958, has seen 8 presidents, including the current president, Emmanuel Macron.
The number has remained stable at 25, with each president contributing to French history in unique ways. The distinction between elected presidents and acting presidents is important for precise counting, and some lists may include acting figures like Alain Poher, who served temporary roles during transitions.
FAQ: Common Questions About French Presidents
How many French presidents have there been?
There have been 25 presidents of France since the office was established in 1848, including 8 presidents of the Fifth Republic (since 1958).
Who are the most famous French presidents?
Charles de Gaulle (founded the Fifth Republic), François Mitterrand (longest-serving), and Jacques Chirac (second-longest-serving) are generally considered the most famous.
What is the difference between the French president and prime minister?
The president is the head of state and sets national policy direction, while the prime minister is the head of government and manages day-to-day administration. The president appoints the prime minister.
Who was the first president of France?
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte served as the first president of France from 1848 to 1852, during the Second Republic. He later became Emperor Napoleon III.
How long is the French presidential term?
The French presidential term is 5 years, renewable, since 2002. Prior to that, the term was 7 years. The change was made following a 2000 referendum.
Who is the youngest French president?
Emmanuel Macron is the youngest French president ever elected, having been elected at age 39 in 2017.
How many presidents has France had since 1945?
France has had 10 presidents since 1945: 2 under the Fourth Republic (Vincent Auriol and René Coty) and 8 under the Fifth Republic.
Where does the French president live?
The French president resides at the Élysée Palace in Paris, which serves as both the official residence and office of the president.
Eleanor Reeves is Managing Editor at readingwire.co.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and newsroom workflow.