Minister of Defence (France)
Encyclopedia
The Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs (Ministre de la Défense et des Anciens combattants) is the French government
cabinet member
charged with running the military of France
.
A "Secretary of State for War
" was one of the four specialized secretaries of state established in France in 1589. This Secretary of State was responsible for the Army. In 1791, the Secretary of State became "Minister of War". Along with the other ministerial positions, it was abolished in 1794 and restored the next year. In the 1930s, the position was frequently named "Minister of War and of National Defense". After the Second World War
, the War Ministry merged with the Ministry of the Navy, absorbing the role of the Minister of the Navy and Colonies, with a Minister of National Defense (from 1974 to 2010 styled as Minister of Defense and from 2010 as Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs) directing the entire military.
The current Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs is Gérard Longuet
.
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
cabinet member
French government ministers
The Cabinet of France is a body of top administration members of the Prime Minister's Cabinet. In French, the word gouvernement generally refers to the "Administration", but in a narrower sense to the Cabinet.The Council is responsible to the French National Assembly...
charged with running the military of France
Military of France
The French Armed Forces encompass the French Army, the French Navy, the French Air Force and the National Gendarmerie. The President of the Republic heads the armed forces, with the title "chef des armées" . The President is the supreme authority for military matters and is the sole official who...
.
A "Secretary of State for War
Secretary of State for War (France)
The Secretary of State for War was one of the four or five specialized secretaries of state in France during the Ancien Régime. The position was responsible for the Army and for overseeing French border provinces...
" was one of the four specialized secretaries of state established in France in 1589. This Secretary of State was responsible for the Army. In 1791, the Secretary of State became "Minister of War". Along with the other ministerial positions, it was abolished in 1794 and restored the next year. In the 1930s, the position was frequently named "Minister of War and of National Defense". After the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the War Ministry merged with the Ministry of the Navy, absorbing the role of the Minister of the Navy and Colonies, with a Minister of National Defense (from 1974 to 2010 styled as Minister of Defense and from 2010 as Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs) directing the entire military.
The current Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs is Gérard Longuet
Gérard Longuet
Gérard Longuet is a French conservative politician. On 27 February 2011, he became the new French Defense Minister.-Biography:...
.
Secretaries of State for War, 1643–1791
| Secretary | Began | Ended |
| Michel le Tellier Michel Le Tellier Michel Le Tellier, marquis de Barbezieux, seigneur de Chaville et de Viroflay was a French statesman.-Biography:... |
1643 | 1666 |
| François Michel le Tellier, marquis de Louvois François-Michel le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois François Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois was the French Secretary of State for War for a significant part of the reign of Louis XIV. Louvois and his father, Michel le Tellier, would increase the French Army to 400,000 soldiers, an army that would fight four wars between 1667 and 1713... |
1666 | 16 July 1691 |
| Louis-François le Tellier de Louvois, marquis de Barbezieux Louis François Marie Le Tellier Louis François Marie Le Tellier Marquis of Barbezieux was a French statesman.-Biography:Born in Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire , he was the third son of the Marquis de Louvois, War Minister to Louis XIV.... |
16 July 1691 | 5 January 1701 |
| Michel Chamillart Michel Chamillart Michel Chamillart or Chamillard was a French statesman, a minister of King Louis XIV of France.He was born in Paris of a family recently raised to the nobility... |
5 January 1701 | 9 June 1709 |
| Daniel Voysin de la Noiraye Daniel Voysin de la Noiraye Daniel Voysin de La Noiraye , seigneur de Mesnil-Voysin, de Bouray, du Plessis, de La Noraye, de Ionville et de Lardy, was a French nobleman and politician... |
9 June 1709 | 14 September 1715 |
| Claude Louis Hector de Villars Claude Louis Hector de Villars Claude Louis Hector de Villars, Prince de Martigues, Marquis then Duc de Villars, Vicomte de Melun was the last great general of Louis XIV of France and one of the most brilliant commanders in French military history, one of only six Marshals who have been promoted to Marshal General of... |
1 October 1715 | 24 September 1718 |
| Claude le Blanc Claude le Blanc Claude Le Blanc was a French royal official of the ancien regime. He was an intendant in several provinces and was twice Secretary of State for War... |
24 September 1718 | 1 July 1723 |
| François Victor le Tonnelier de Breteuil François Victor Le Tonnelier de Breteuil François Victor Le Tonnelier de Breteuil was a French nobleman. He was minister for war twice under Louis XV. He was also chancelier, garde des sceaux de la Maison de la reine and commander, provost and grandmaster of ceremonies to the order of the Holy Spirit .He was a member of the Le Tonnelier... |
1 July 1723 | 19 June 1726 |
| Claude le Blanc Claude le Blanc Claude Le Blanc was a French royal official of the ancien regime. He was an intendant in several provinces and was twice Secretary of State for War... |
19 June 1726 | 1728 |
| Nicolas Prosper Bauyn d'Angervilliers Nicolas Prosper Bauyn d'Angervilliers Nicolas Prosper Bauyn, seigneur d’Angervilliers was a French politician. He served as intendant de Dauphiné, intendant d'Alsace, and finally as Secretary of State for War from July 1728 until his death.-Life:... |
July 1728 | February 1740 |
| François Victor le Tonnelier de Breteuil François Victor Le Tonnelier de Breteuil François Victor Le Tonnelier de Breteuil was a French nobleman. He was minister for war twice under Louis XV. He was also chancelier, garde des sceaux de la Maison de la reine and commander, provost and grandmaster of ceremonies to the order of the Holy Spirit .He was a member of the Le Tonnelier... |
February 1740 | 7 January 1743 |
| Marc Pierre de Voyer de Paulmy, comte d'Argenson | 7 January 1743 | 1 February 1757 |
| Marc-René de Voyer, marquis de Paulmy Marc-René de Voyer de Paulmy d'Argenson (1722-1787) Marc Antoine René de Voyer, marquis de Paulmy and 3rd marquis d'Argenson , was the only son of René-Louis de Voyer de Paulmy, marquis d' Argenson... |
1 February 1757 | 3 March 1758 |
| Charles Louis Auguste Fouquet, duc de Belle-Isle | 3 March 1758 | 27 January 1761 |
| Étienne François, duc de Choiseul Étienne François, duc de Choiseul Étienne-François, comte de Stainville, duc de Choiseul was a French military officer, diplomat and statesman. Between 1758 and 1761, and 1766 and 1770, he was Foreign Minister of France and had a strong influence on France's global strategy throughout the period... |
27 January 1761 | 24 December 1770 |
| Louis François, marquis de Monteynard | 26 January 1771 | 27 January 1774 |
| Emmanuel Armand de Vignerot du Plessis de Richelieu, duc d'Aiguillon | 27 January 1774 | 2 June 1774 |
| Louis Nicolas Victor de Félix d'Ollières, comte du Muy | 5 June 1774 | 10 October 1775 |
| Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain , French general, was born on the 15th of April 1707, at the Château of Vertamboz.Educated at Jesuit schools, he intended to enter the priesthood, but at the last minute obtained from Louis XV an appointment as sub-lieutenant... |
27 October 1775 | 27 September 1777 |
| Alexandre Marie Léonor de Saint-Mauris de Montbarrey Alexandre Marie Léonor de Saint-Mauris de Montbarrey Alexandre Marie Léonor de Saint-Mauris, comte, then prince de Montbarrey was a French politician. He was made Secretary of State for War by Louis XVI of France in 1778, but displeased Marie-Antoinette and was forced to leave that office two years later... |
27 September 1777 | 19 December 1780 |
| Philippe Henri, marquis de Ségur Philippe Henri, marquis de Ségur Philippe Henri, marquis de Ségur was a marshal of France.Born in Paris, son of Henri François, comte de Ségur, and his wife Philippe Angélique de Froissy, he was appointed to the command of an infantry regiment at eighteen, and served under his father in Italy and Bohemia... |
23 December 1780 | 29 August 1787 |
| Louis Charles-Auguste le Tonnelier, baron de Breteuil Louis Auguste Le Tonnelier de Breteuil Louis Charles Auguste le Tonnelier, baron de Breteuil, baron de Preuilly was a French aristocrat, diplomat, statesman and politician... |
29 August 1787 | 23 September 1787 |
| Athanase Louis Marie de Loménie, comte de Brienne Athanase Louis Marie de Loménie, comte de Brienne Louis-Marie-Athanase de Loménie, comte de Brienne was a French officer and politician.-Life:He was from the younger branch of the Lomenie Flavignac family originating in Limousin, which became in the seventeenth century the house of Brienne. Louis-Marie-Athanasius was the younger brother of... |
23 September 1787 | 30 November 1788 |
| Louis Pierre de Chastenet, comte de Puységur | 30 November 1788 | 13 July 1789 |
| Victor François, Duc de Broglie | 13 July 1789 | 16 July 1789 |
| Jean-Frédéric de la Tour du Pin-Gouvernet Jean-Frédéric de la Tour du Pin-Gouvernet Jean-Frédéric de La Tour du Pin Gouvernet was a French nobleman and politician. His full titles were Comte de Paulin, Marquis de la Roche-Chalais et de Cénevières, Vicomte de Calvignac, Comte de Chastelard, Vicomte de Tesson et d’Ambleville, Baron de Cubzac, Seigneur du Cubzaguais, Seigneur de... |
4 August 1789 | 16 November 1790 |
| Louis le Bègue du Presle Duportail | 16 November 1790 | 7 December 1791 |
Ministers of War, 1791–1940
| Minister | Began | Ended |
| Louis, comte de Narbonne-Lara Louis, comte de Narbonne-Lara Louis Marie Jacques Amalric, comte de Narbonne-Lara was a French nobleman, soldier and diplomat.-Birth and early life:He was born at Colorno, in the Duchy of Parma, as the son of Françoise de Châlus Louis Marie Jacques Amalric, comte de Narbonne-Lara (17, 23 or 24 August 1755 – 17 November... |
7 December 1791 | 9 March 1792 |
| Pierre Marie de Grave Pierre Marie de Grave Pierre Marie, Marquis de Grave was the French Minister of War in 1792, from 9 March to 9 May.-References:... |
9 March 1792 | 9 May 1792 |
| Joseph Marie Servan de Gerbey Joseph Marie Servan de Gerbey Joseph Marie Servan de Gerbey was a French general. During the Revolution he served twice as Minister of War.-Biography:... |
9 May 1792 | 13 June 1792 |
| Charles Dumouriez | 13 June 1792 | 18 June 1792 |
| Pierre August Lajard Pierre August Lajard Pierre Auguste Lajard was a Miniter of War during the French Revolution.... |
18 June 1792 | 23 July 1792 |
| Charles Franqueville d'Abancourt | 23 July 1792 | 10 August 1792 |
| Joseph Marie Servan de Gerbey Joseph Marie Servan de Gerbey Joseph Marie Servan de Gerbey was a French general. During the Revolution he served twice as Minister of War.-Biography:... |
10 August 1792 | 3 October 1792 |
| Pierre Henri Hélène Marie Lebrun-Tondu Pierre Henri Hélène Marie Lebrun-Tondu Pierre-Henri-Hélène-Marie Lebrun-Tondu was a journalist and a French minister, during the French Revolution.-Before the Revolution:... |
3 October 1792 | 18 October 1792 |
| Jean-Nicolas Pache Jean-Nicolas Pache Jean-Nicolas Pache was a French politician.-Biography:Pache was born in Verdun, but grew up in Paris, of Swiss parentage, the son of the concièrge of the hotel of Marshal de Castries... |
18 October 1792 | 4 February 1793 |
| Pierre Riel de Beurnonville | 4 February 1793 | 1 April 1793 |
| Pierre Henri Hélène Marie Lebrun-Tondu Pierre Henri Hélène Marie Lebrun-Tondu Pierre-Henri-Hélène-Marie Lebrun-Tondu was a journalist and a French minister, during the French Revolution.-Before the Revolution:... |
1 April 1793 | 4 April 1793 |
| Jean Baptiste Noël Bouchotte Jean Baptiste Noël Bouchotte Jean Baptiste Noël Bouchotte was a minister in the French government. He was born in Metz.At the outbreak of the Revolution he was a captain of cavalry, and his zeal led to his being made colonel and given the command at Cambrai... |
4 April 1793 | 20 April 1794 |
| none | 20 April 1794 | 3 November 1795 |
| Jean-Baptiste Aubert-Dubayet | 3 November 1795 | 8 February 1796 |
| Claude Louis Petiet Claude Louis Petiet Claude Louis Petiet was a Commissioner of war in 1778, elected to the Council of Elders in 1795, and was appointed Minister of War February 8, 1796... |
8 February 1796 | 15 July 1797 |
| Lazare Hoche Lazare Hoche Louis Lazare Hoche was a French soldier who rose to be general of the Revolutionary army.Born of poor parents near Versailles, he enlisted at sixteen as a private soldier in the Gardes Françaises... |
15 July 1797 | 22 July 1797 |
| Barthélemy Louis Joseph Scherer Barthélemy Louis Joseph Schérer Barthélemy Louis Joseph Schérer , born in Delle, near Belfort, became a French general during the French Revolutionary Wars and on three occasions led armies in combat.-Early career:... |
22 July 1797 | 21 February 1799 |
| Louis Marie de Milet de Mureau Louis Marie de Milet de Mureau Louis Marie Antoine Destouff de Milet de Mureau baron was a French politician. He served as French Minister of Defence from 21 February to 2 July 1799 under the French Directory.... |
21 February 1799 | 2 July 1799 |
| Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte Charles XIV John of Sweden Charles XIV & III John, also Carl John, Swedish and Norwegian: Karl Johan was King of Sweden and King of Norway from 1818 until his death... |
2 July 1799 | 14 September 1799 |
| Edmond Louis Alexis Dubois-Crancé Edmond Louis Alexis Dubois-Crancé Edmond Louis Alexis Dubois-Crancé was a French soldier and politician.-National and Constituent Assemblies:Born in Charleville, Ardennes, he was at first a musketeer, then a lieutenant of the Marchaux , and embraced Liberalism... |
14 September 1799 | 10 November 1799 |
| Louis-Alexandre Berthier | 11 November 1799 | 2 April 1800 |
| Lazare Carnot Lazare Carnot Lazare Nicolas Marguerite, Comte Carnot , the Organizer of Victory in the French Revolutionary Wars, was a French politician, engineer, and mathematician.-Education and early life:... |
2 April 1800 | 8 October 1800 |
| Louis-Alexandre Berthier, prince de Neuchâtel | 8 October 1800 | 19 August 1807 |
| Henri Clarke, duc de Feltre Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke, 1st Count of Hunebourg, 1st Duke of Feltre , born in Landrecies, was a Marshal of France and French politician of Irish descent.Clarke entered the French army in 1782... |
19 August 1807 | 1 April 1814 |
| Pierre-Antoine, comte Dupont de l'Étang | 3 April 1814 | 3 December 1814 |
| Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult, duc de Dalmatie Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult Nicolas Jean-de-Dieu Soult, 1st Duke of Dalmatia , the Hand of Iron, was a French general and statesman, named Marshal of the Empire in 1804. He was one of only six officers in French history to receive the distinction of Marshal General of France... |
3 December 1814 | 11 March 1815 |
| Henri Clarke, duc de Feltre Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke, 1st Count of Hunebourg, 1st Duke of Feltre , born in Landrecies, was a Marshal of France and French politician of Irish descent.Clarke entered the French army in 1782... |
11 March 1815 | 20 March 1815 |
| Louis Nicolas Davout, duc d'Auerstadt Louis Nicolas Davout Louis-Nicolas d'Avout , better known as Davout, 1st Duke of Auerstaedt, 1st Prince of Eckmühl, was a Marshal of France during the Napoleonic Era. His prodigious talent for war along with his reputation as a stern disciplinarian, earned him the title "The Iron Marshal"... |
20 March 1815 | 7 July 1815 |
| Laurent, comte de Gouvion de Saint-Cyr | 7 July 1815 | 26 September 1815 |
| Henri Clarke, duc de Feltre Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke, 1st Count of Hunebourg, 1st Duke of Feltre , born in Landrecies, was a Marshal of France and French politician of Irish descent.Clarke entered the French army in 1782... |
26 September 1815 | 12 September 1817 |
| Laurent, marquis de Gouvion de Saint-Cyr | 12 September 1817 | 19 November 1819 |
| Marie Victor Nicolas de Fay, marquis de La Tour-Maubourg | 19 November 1819 | 14 December 1821 |
| Claude Victor, duc de Bellune Claude Victor-Perrin, duc de Belluno Claude Victor-Perrin, First Duc de Belluno was a French soldier and military commander during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars... |
14 December 1821 | 23 March 1823 |
| Alexandre, vicomte Digeon Alexandre, vicomte Digeon Alexander Elisabeth Michel vicomte Digeon, born 27 June 1771 - died 2 August 1826, fought in the French Revolutionary Wars in the cavalry. He became a general officer during the Napoleonic Wars, fighting in a number of important battles... |
23 March 1823 | 15 April 1823 |
| Claude Victor, duc de Bellune Claude Victor-Perrin, duc de Belluno Claude Victor-Perrin, First Duc de Belluno was a French soldier and military commander during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars... |
15 April 1823 | 19 October 1823 |
| Ange Hyacinthe Maxence, baron de Damas Ange Hyacinthe Maxence, baron de Damas Ange Hyacinthe Maxence de Damas de Cormaillon, Baron de Damas was a French general and Minister.-Biography :At the death of his father Charles Damascus in Quiberon, Colonel aide to Mr... |
19 October 1823 | 4 August 1824 |
| Aimé, duc de Clermont-Tonnerre Aimé, duc de Clermont-Tonnerre Aimé-Marie-Gaspard, comte de Clermont-Tonnerre was a French general and statesman.Son of Gaspard-Paulin, vicomte de Clermont-Tonnerre and Anne-Marie-... |
4 August 1824 | 4 January 1828 |
| Louis Victor de Blacquetot de Caux Louis Victor de Blacquetot de Caux Louis Victor de Blacquetot de Caux was a Lieutenant-General of Engineering, State Councilor, Minister, Commander of St... |
4 January 1828 | 8 August 1829 |
| Louis-Auguste-Victor, Count de Ghaisnes de Bourmont Louis-Auguste-Victor, Count de Ghaisnes de Bourmont Louis-Auguste-Victor, Count de Ghaisnes de Bourmont emigrated from France soon after the outbreak of the French Revolution. A lifelong royalist, he fought with the counter-revolutionary Army of Condé for two years, then joined the insurrection in France from three more years before going into exile... |
8 August 1829 | 31 July 1830 |
| Étienne Maurice, comte Gérard Étienne Maurice Gérard Étienne Maurice Gérard, comte Gérard was a French general and statesman. He served under a succession of French governments including the ancien regime monarchy, the Revolutionary governments, the Restorations, the July Monarchy, the First and Second Republics, and the First Empire , becoming... |
31 July 1830 | 17 November 1830 |
| Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult, duc de Dalmatie Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult Nicolas Jean-de-Dieu Soult, 1st Duke of Dalmatia , the Hand of Iron, was a French general and statesman, named Marshal of the Empire in 1804. He was one of only six officers in French history to receive the distinction of Marshal General of France... |
17 November 1830 | 18 July 1834 |
| Étienne Maurice, comte Gérard Étienne Maurice Gérard Étienne Maurice Gérard, comte Gérard was a French general and statesman. He served under a succession of French governments including the ancien regime monarchy, the Revolutionary governments, the Restorations, the July Monarchy, the First and Second Republics, and the First Empire , becoming... |
18 July 1834 | 10 November 1834 |
| Simon Bernard Simon Bernard Baron Simon Bernard was a French general of engineers. Born in Dole, Simon Bernard was educated at the École polytechnique, graduating as second in the promotion of 1799 and entered the army in the corps of engineers.... |
10 November 1834 | 18 November 1834 |
| Édouard Adolphe Casimir Joseph Mortier, duc de Trévise | 18 November 1834 | 12 March 1835 |
| Henri Gauthier, comte de Rigny | 12 March 1835 | 30 April 1835 |
| Nicolas Joseph, marquis Maison Nicolas Joseph Maison Nicolas Joseph Maison, 1er Marquis Maison was a Marshal of France and Minister of War.-French revolution and Napoléon:Maison was born at born in Épinay-sur-Seine, near Paris.... |
30 April 1835 | 6 September 1836 |
| Simon Bernard Simon Bernard Baron Simon Bernard was a French general of engineers. Born in Dole, Simon Bernard was educated at the École polytechnique, graduating as second in the promotion of 1799 and entered the army in the corps of engineers.... |
6 September 1836 | 31 March 1839 |
| Amédée Louis Despans-Cubières | 31 March 1839 | 12 May 1839 |
| Antoine Virgile Schneider Antoine Virgile Schneider Antoine Virgile Schneider was a soldier and politician. He was Minister of War under the July Monarchy in the second government of Jean de Dieu Soult of 12 May 1839 on 1 March 1840.-Biography:... |
12 May 1839 | 1 March 1840 |
| Amédée Louis Despans-Cubières | 1 March 1840 | 29 October 1840 |
| Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult, duc de Dalmatie Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult Nicolas Jean-de-Dieu Soult, 1st Duke of Dalmatia , the Hand of Iron, was a French general and statesman, named Marshal of the Empire in 1804. He was one of only six officers in French history to receive the distinction of Marshal General of France... |
29 October 1840 | 10 November 1845 |
| Alexandre Pierre Chevalier Moline de Saint-Yon Alexandre Pierre Chevalier Moline de Saint-Yon Alexandre Pierre Moline de Saint-Yon was a French general, writer, and politician.-Biography:He was the son of Honore de Saint-Yon and Gabrielle Antoinette Rivoire Alexandre Moline, He graduated from the military school at Fontainebleau in 1805, with the rank of second lieutenant... |
10 November 1845 | 9 May 1847 |
| Camille Alphonse Trézel Camille Alphonse Trézel Camille Alphonse Trézel was a French général de division, Minister for War and peer of France during the July Monarchy... |
9 May 1847 | 24 February 1848 |
| Marie Alphonse Bedeau Marie Alphonse Bedeau Marie Alphonse Bedeau was a French general, and minister.-Life:He studied at the military school of Saint-Cyr, from the age of 16, October 29, 1820 until 1 October 1822, as lieutenant-student, school of enforcement staff. He served in the 8th Cuirassiers, and the Lancers of the Royal Guard... |
24 February 1848 | 25 February 1848 |
| Jacques Gervais, baron Subervie Jacques Gervais, baron Subervie Jacques Gervais, baron Subervie was a French general and politician.-Under Napoleon I:... |
25 February 1848 | 20 March 1848 |
| Louis Eugène Cavaignac Louis Eugène Cavaignac Louis-Eugène-John-Jacob-Cavaignac , French general, second son of Jean-Baptiste Cavaignac and brother of Éléonore Louis Godefroi Cavaignac, was born at Paris.- Military career :... |
20 March 1848 | 5 April 1848 |
| François Arago François Arago François Jean Dominique Arago , known simply as François Arago , was a French mathematician, physicist, astronomer and politician.-Early life and work:... |
5 April 1848 | 11 May 1848 |
| Jean-Baptiste Adolphe Charras Jean-Baptiste Adolphe Charras Jean-Babtiste Adolphe Charas was a military historian and minister.He was Deputy Secretary of State for War, from April 5, 1848 to May 11, 1848.... |
11 May 1848 | 17 May 1848 |
| Louis Eugène Cavaignac Louis Eugène Cavaignac Louis-Eugène-John-Jacob-Cavaignac , French general, second son of Jean-Baptiste Cavaignac and brother of Éléonore Louis Godefroi Cavaignac, was born at Paris.- Military career :... |
17 May 1848 | 28 June 1848 |
| Louis Juchault de Lamoricière | 28 June 1848 | 20 December 1848 |
| Joseph Marcelin Rulhières Joseph Marcelin Rulhières Joseph Marcellin Rulhières was a French politician.He was admitted to velites of the Old Guard in 1807, lieutenant in 1809.He served during the Hundred Days... |
20 December 1848 | 31 October 1849 |
| Alphonse Henri, comte d'Hautpoul Alphonse Henri, comte d'Hautpoul Alphonse Henri, comte d'Hautpoul was Prime Minister of France from 31 October 1849 to 10 April 1851 during the French Second Republic.-Biography:... |
31 October 1849 | 22 October 1850 |
| Jean-Paul, comte de Schramm Jean-Paul, comte de Schramm Jean Paul Adam, comte de Schramm was a French Minister of War.-Career:He entered the Army in 1803.He was promoted lieutenant after the Battle of Austerlitz.He was promoted Captain in the Old Guard, after the Siege of Danzig .... |
22 October 1850 | 9 January 1851 |
| Auguste Étienne, comte Régnault de Saint-Jean d'Angély Auguste Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angély Auguste Michel Étienne Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angély, later 2nd Count Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angély was a Marshal of France, soldier and politician.... |
9 January 1851 | 24 January 1851 |
| Jacques Louis Randon Jacques Louis Randon Jacques Louis César Alexandre Randon, 1st Count Randon was a French military and political leader, also Marshal of France and governor of Algeria.-Early life:... |
24 January 1851 | 26 October 1851 |
| Jacques Leroy de Saint Arnaud Jacques Leroy de Saint Arnaud Armand-Jacques Leroy de Saint-Arnaud was a French soldier and Marshal of France during the 19th century... |
26 October 1851 | 11 March 1854 |
| Jean-Baptiste Philibert Vaillant Jean-Baptiste Philibert Vaillant Jean-Baptiste Philibert Vaillant, 1st Comte Vaillant , born in Dijon, was a Marshal of France.Vaillant entered the French army in 1809 in the corps of engineers. He served in the Russian campaign of 1812 and the next year became a prisoner of war after the Battle of Kulm. During the Hundred Days... |
11 March 1854 | 5 May 1859 |
| Jacques Louis Randon Jacques Louis Randon Jacques Louis César Alexandre Randon, 1st Count Randon was a French military and political leader, also Marshal of France and governor of Algeria.-Early life:... |
5 May 1859 | 20 January 1867 |
| Adolphe Niel Adolphe Niel Adolphe Niel was a French Army general and statesman, also Marshal of France.He was born at Muret, Haute-Garonne and entered the École Polytechnique in 1821. Niel entered the engineer school at Metz, became lieutenant in the Engineers Corps in 1827, and captain in 1833... |
20 January 1867 | 13 August 1869 |
| Charles Rigault de Genouilly Charles Rigault de Genouilly Pierre-Louis-Charles Rigault de Genouilly was a nineteenth-century French admiral... |
13 August 1869 | 21 August 1869 |
| Edmond Leboeuf Edmond Leboeuf Edmond Leboeuf was a marshal of France. He was born at Paris, passed through the École polytechnique and the school of Metz, and distinguished himself as an artillery officer in Algerian warfare, becoming colonel in 1852... |
21 August 1869 | 20 July 1870 |
| Pierre Charles Dejean Pierre Charles Dejean Charles Pierre Dejean, vicomte was a French general and politician .-Life:He was the son of General Pierre François Marie Auguste Dejean... |
20 July 1870 | 10 August 1870 |
| Charles Cousin-Montauban, Comte de Palikao Charles Cousin-Montauban, Comte de Palikao Charles Guillaume Marie Appollinaire Antoine Cousin Montauban, comte de Palikao was a French general and statesman.-Biography:Montauban was born in Paris. As a cavalry officer he saw much service in Algeria, but he was still only a colonel when in 1847 he effected the capture of Abdel Kadir... |
10 August 1870 | 4 September 1870 |
| Adolphe Charles Le Flô Adolphe Charles Le Flô Adolphe Emmanuel Charles Le Flô was an French Army general and politician.-Life:He left Saint-Cyr in 1825... |
4 September 1870 | 5 June 1871 |
| Ernest Courtot de Cissey Ernest Courtot de Cissey Ernest Louis Octave Courtot de Cissey was a French general.He was born in Paris, educated at the Prytanée National Militaire, and after passing through St Cyr, entered the army in 1832, becoming captain in 1839.... |
5 June 1871 | 25 May 1873 |
| François Claude du Barail François Claude du Barail François Claude comte du Barail was a major general, and French Minister of War under the presidency of Marshal MacMahon.-Biography :... |
29 May 1873 | 22 May 1874 |
| Ernest Courtot de Cissey Ernest Courtot de Cissey Ernest Louis Octave Courtot de Cissey was a French general.He was born in Paris, educated at the Prytanée National Militaire, and after passing through St Cyr, entered the army in 1832, becoming captain in 1839.... |
22 May 1874 | 15 August 1876 |
| Jean Auguste Berthaut Jean Auguste Berthaut Jean Auguste Berthaut was a French general and French politician.He graduated from Saint Cyr in 1837. He was promoted brigadeer general July 1870.He commanded the National Guard in Paris in 1870... |
15 August 1876 | 23 November 1877 |
| Gaétan de Grimaudet de Rochebouët | 23 November 1877 | 13 December 1877 |
| Jean-Louis Borel Jean-Louis Borel Jean-Louis Borel was a French general, aide de camp, and politician.He graduated from Saint-Cyr. He was aide de camp to MacMahon, in Algeria, the Crimean War.He was chief of staff to the National Guard.... |
13 December 1877 | 16 May 1878 |
| Henri François Xavier Gresley Henri François Xavier Gresley Henri François Xavier Gresley was a French Minister of War.-Life:He was the son of Henry Francis Xavier and Nathalie Gresley Lariviere.... |
16 May 1878 | 28 December 1879 |
| Jean Joseph Frédéric Adolphe Farre | 28 December 1879 | 14 November 1881 |
| Jean-Baptiste Campenon | 14 November 1881 | 26 January 1882 |
| Jean-Baptiste Billot Jean-Baptiste Billot Jean-Baptiste Billot - 31 May 1907, Paris) was a French general and politician.-Life:Jean-Baptiste Billot entered the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1847, and on leaving it in 1849 joined the staff with the rank of sous-lieutenant... |
30 January 1882 | 29 January 1883 |
| Jean Thibaudin | 31 January 1883 | 9 October 1883 |
| Jean-Baptiste Campenon | 9 October 1883 | 3 January 1885 |
| Jules Louis Lewal Jules Louis Lewal Jules Louis Lewal was a French general.-Biography:He was born in Paris; entered the army in 1846; served in the Italian campaign of 1859, with the French troops in Mexico , and, after cooperation with Adolphe Niel in the army reforms, in the Franco-Prussian War... |
3 January 1885 | 6 April 1885 |
| Jean-Baptiste Campenon | 6 April 1885 | 7 January 1886 |
| Georges Boulanger Georges Boulanger Georges Ernest Jean-Marie Boulanger was a French general and reactionary politician. At the apogee of his popularity in January 1889 many republicans including Georges Clemenceau feared the threat of a coup d'état by Boulanger and the establishment of a dictatorship.- Early life and career :Born... |
7 January 1886 | 30 May 1887 |
| Théophile Adrien Ferron | 30 May 1887 | 12 December 1887 |
| François Auguste Logerot | 12 December 1887 | 3 April 1888 |
| Charles de Freycinet Charles de Freycinet Charles Louis de Saulces de Freycinet was a French statesman and Prime Minister during the Third Republic; he belonged to the Opportunist Republicans faction. He was elected a member of the Academy of Sciences, and in 1890, the fourteen member to occupy seat the Académie française.-Early years:He... |
3 April 1888 | 11 January 1893 |
| Julien Léon Loizillon Julien Léon Loizillon Julien Loizillon, born in Paris on , died at Dammarie-lès-Lys on , was a French general and politician.*Minister of War from to in the government of Alexandre Ribot and from to in the government of Charles Dupuy... |
11 January 1893 | 3 December 1893 |
| Auguste Mercier | 3 December 1893 | 24 January 1895 |
| Émile Zurlinder | 28 January 1895 | 1 November 1895 |
| Godefroy Cavaignac | 1 November 1895 | 29 April 1896 |
| Jean-Baptiste Billot Jean-Baptiste Billot Jean-Baptiste Billot - 31 May 1907, Paris) was a French general and politician.-Life:Jean-Baptiste Billot entered the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1847, and on leaving it in 1849 joined the staff with the rank of sous-lieutenant... |
29 April 1896 | 28 June 1898 |
| Godefroy Cavaignac | 28 June 1898 | 5 September 1898 |
| Émile Zurlinden Émile Zurlinden Émile Zurlinden was French Minister of War between 5 September 1898 and 17 September 1898. He succeeded Godefroy Cavaignac. A general, he was previously governor of Paris, and he accepted the vacant post of minister of war at the personal request of the president of the republic... |
5 September 1898 | 17 September 1898 |
| Charles Chanoine Charles Chanoine Charles Sulpice Jules Chanoine was a French military officer who played an important role in the Far East, and later became Minister of War.... |
17 September 1898 | 25 October 1898 |
| Édouard Locroy | 25 October 1898 | 1 November 1898 |
| Charles de Freycinet Charles de Freycinet Charles Louis de Saulces de Freycinet was a French statesman and Prime Minister during the Third Republic; he belonged to the Opportunist Republicans faction. He was elected a member of the Academy of Sciences, and in 1890, the fourteen member to occupy seat the Académie française.-Early years:He... |
1 November 1898 | 6 May 1899 |
| Camille Krantz | 6 May 1899 | 22 June 1899 |
| Gaston, marquis de Gallifet | 22 June 1899 | 20 May 1900 |
| Louis André Louis André Louis André was France's Minister of War from 1900 until 1904. Loyal to the laïque Third Republic, he was anti-Catholic, militantly anticlerical, a Freemason and was implicated in the Affaire Des Fiches, a scandal in which he received reports from Masonic groups on which army officers were... |
20 May 1900 | 14 November 1904 |
| Maurice Berteaux | 14 November 1904 | 12 November 1905 |
| Eugène Étienne | 12 November 1905 | 25 October 1906 |
| Georges Picquart Georges Picquart Marie Georges Picquart , was a French army officer and Minister of War. He is best known for his role in the Dreyfus Affair.-Early career:... |
25 October 1906 | 24 July 1909 |
| Jean Brun | 24 July 1909 | 23 February 1911 |
| Aristide Briand Aristide Briand Aristide Briand was a French statesman who served eleven terms as Prime Minister of France during the French Third Republic and received the 1926 Nobel Peace Prize.- Early life :... |
23 February 1911 | 2 March 1911 |
| Maurice Berteaux | 2 March 1911 | 21 May 1911 |
| François Louis Auguste Goiran | 27 May 1911 | 27 June 1911 |
| Adolphe Messimy | 27 June 1911 | 14 January 1912 |
| Alexandre Millerand Alexandre Millerand Alexandre Millerand was a French socialist politician. He was President of France from 23 September 1920 to 11 June 1924 and Prime Minister of France 20 January to 23 September 1920... |
14 January 1912 | 12 January 1913 |
| Albert Lebrun Albert Lebrun Albert François Lebrun was a French politician, President of France from 1932 to 1940. He was the last president of the Third Republic. He was a member of the center-right Democratic Republican Alliance .-Biography:... |
12 January 1913 | 21 January 1913 |
| Eugène Étienne | 21 January 1913 | 9 December 1913 |
| Joseph Noulens Joseph Noulens Joseph Noulens was a French politician and diplomat.Noulens became a member of the Chamber of Deputies in 1903 and served as Minister of War from 1913 to l914 and then as Minister of Finance from 1914 to 1915. In 1920 he became a Senator.-Involvement in Russia:In June 1917 he was appointed French... |
9 December 1913 | 9 June 1914 |
| Théophile Delcassé Théophile Delcassé Théophile Delcassé was a French statesman.-Biography:He was born at Pamiers, in the Ariège département... |
9 June 1914 | 13 June 1914 |
| Adolphe Messimy | 13 June 1914 | 26 August 1914 |
| Alexandre Millerand Alexandre Millerand Alexandre Millerand was a French socialist politician. He was President of France from 23 September 1920 to 11 June 1924 and Prime Minister of France 20 January to 23 September 1920... |
26 August 1914 | 29 October 1915 |
| Joseph Gallieni Joseph Gallieni Joseph Simon Gallieni was a French soldier, most active as a military commander and administrator in the French colonies and finished his career during the First World War. He was made Marshal of France posthumously in 1921... |
29 October 1915 | 16 March 1916 |
| Pierre Roques Pierre Roques Pierre Auguste Roques was a French general and creator of the French air force.-Biography:... |
16 March 1916 | 12 December 1916 |
| Hubert Lyautey Hubert Lyautey Louis Hubert Gonzalve Lyautey was a French Army general, the first Resident-General in Morocco from 1912 to 1925 and from 1921 Marshal of France.-Early life:... |
12 December 1916 | 14 March 1917 |
| Lucien Lacaze | 14 March 1917 | 20 March 1917 |
| Paul Painlevé Paul Painlevé Paul Painlevé was a French mathematician and politician. He served twice as Prime Minister of the Third Republic: 12 September – 13 November 1917 and 17 April – 22 November 1925.-Early life:Painlevé was born in Paris.... |
20 March 1917 | 16 November 1917 |
| Georges Clemenceau Georges Clemenceau Georges Benjamin Clemenceau was a French statesman, physician and journalist. He served as the Prime Minister of France from 1906 to 1909, and again from 1917 to 1920. For nearly the final year of World War I he led France, and was one of the major voices behind the Treaty of Versailles at the... |
16 November 1917 | 20 January 1920 |
| André Lefèvre | 20 January 1920 | 16 December 1920 |
| Flaminius Raiberti | 16 December 1920 | 16 January 1921 |
| Louis Barthou Louis Barthou Jean Louis Barthou was a French politician of the Third Republic.-Early years:He was born in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and served as Deputy from that constituency. He was an authority on trade union history and law. Barthou was Prime Minister in 1913, and held ministerial office... |
16 January 1921 | 15 January 1922 |
| André Maginot André Maginot André Maginot was a French civil servant, soldier, and Member of Parliament. He is undoubtedly best known for his advocacy for the string of forts that would be known as the Maginot Line.- Early years, to World War I :... |
15 January 1922 | 14 June 1924 |
| Charles Nollet Charles Nollet Charles Marie Edouard Nollet was a French general and government minister, chairman of the Military Inter-Allied Commission of Control from 1919 to 1924, and Minister of War 1924-1925.... |
14 June 1924 | 17 April 1925 |
| Paul Painlevé Paul Painlevé Paul Painlevé was a French mathematician and politician. He served twice as Prime Minister of the Third Republic: 12 September – 13 November 1917 and 17 April – 22 November 1925.-Early life:Painlevé was born in Paris.... |
17 April 1925 | 29 October 1925 |
| Édouard Daladier Édouard Daladier Édouard Daladier was a French Radical politician and the Prime Minister of France at the start of the Second World War.-Career:Daladier was born in Carpentras, Vaucluse. Later, he would become known to many as "the bull of Vaucluse" because of his thick neck and large shoulders and determined... |
29 October 1925 | 28 November 1925 |
| Paul Painlevé Paul Painlevé Paul Painlevé was a French mathematician and politician. He served twice as Prime Minister of the Third Republic: 12 September – 13 November 1917 and 17 April – 22 November 1925.-Early life:Painlevé was born in Paris.... |
28 November 1925 | 23 June 1926 |
| Adolphe Guillaumat Adolphe Guillaumat Marie Louis Adolphe Guillaumat was a French Army general during World War I.-Early years:Adolphe Guillaumat graduated first from his class of 1884 at the Saint-Cyr military academy.... |
23 June 1926 | 19 July 1926 |
| Paul Painlevé Paul Painlevé Paul Painlevé was a French mathematician and politician. He served twice as Prime Minister of the Third Republic: 12 September – 13 November 1917 and 17 April – 22 November 1925.-Early life:Painlevé was born in Paris.... |
19 July 1926 | 3 November 1929 |
| André Maginot André Maginot André Maginot was a French civil servant, soldier, and Member of Parliament. He is undoubtedly best known for his advocacy for the string of forts that would be known as the Maginot Line.- Early years, to World War I :... |
3 November 1929 | 21 February 1930 |
| René Besnard | 21 February 1930 | 2 March 1930 |
| André Maginot André Maginot André Maginot was a French civil servant, soldier, and Member of Parliament. He is undoubtedly best known for his advocacy for the string of forts that would be known as the Maginot Line.- Early years, to World War I :... |
2 March 1930 | 13 December 1930 |
| Louis Barthou Louis Barthou Jean Louis Barthou was a French politician of the Third Republic.-Early years:He was born in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and served as Deputy from that constituency. He was an authority on trade union history and law. Barthou was Prime Minister in 1913, and held ministerial office... |
13 December 1930 | 27 January 1931 |
| André Maginot André Maginot André Maginot was a French civil servant, soldier, and Member of Parliament. He is undoubtedly best known for his advocacy for the string of forts that would be known as the Maginot Line.- Early years, to World War I :... |
27 January 1931 | 6 January 1932 |
| André Tardieu André Tardieu André Pierre Gabriel Amédée Tardieu was three times Prime Minister of France and a dominant figure of French political life in 1929-1932.-Biography:... |
14 January 1932 | 20 February 1932 |
| François Piétri François Piétri François Piétri was a minister in several governments in the later years of the French Third Republic and was French ambassador to Spain from 1940 to 1944 under the Vichy regime.... |
20 February 1932 | 3 June 1932 |
| Joseph Paul-Boncour Joseph Paul-Boncour Augustin Alfred Joseph Paul-Boncour was a French politician of the Third Republic.-Career:Born in Saint-Aignan, Loir-et-Cher, Paul-Boncour received a law degree from the University of Paris and became active in the labor movement, organizing the legal council of the Bourses du Travail... |
3 June 1932 | 18 December 1932 |
| Édouard Daladier Édouard Daladier Édouard Daladier was a French Radical politician and the Prime Minister of France at the start of the Second World War.-Career:Daladier was born in Carpentras, Vaucluse. Later, he would become known to many as "the bull of Vaucluse" because of his thick neck and large shoulders and determined... |
18 December 1932 | 30 January 1934 |
| Jean Fabry | 30 January 1934 | 4 February 1934 |
| Joseph Paul-Boncour Joseph Paul-Boncour Augustin Alfred Joseph Paul-Boncour was a French politician of the Third Republic.-Career:Born in Saint-Aignan, Loir-et-Cher, Paul-Boncour received a law degree from the University of Paris and became active in the labor movement, organizing the legal council of the Bourses du Travail... |
4 February 1934 | 9 February 1934 |
| Philippe Pétain Philippe Pétain Henri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain , generally known as Philippe Pétain or Marshal Pétain , was a French general who reached the distinction of Marshal of France, and was later Chief of State of Vichy France , from 1940 to 1944... |
9 February 1934 | 8 November 1934 |
| Louis Maurin | 8 November 1934 | 7 June 1935 |
| Jean Fabry | 7 June 1935 | 24 January 1936 |
| Louis Maurin | 24 January 1936 | 4 June 1936 |
| Édouard Daladier Édouard Daladier Édouard Daladier was a French Radical politician and the Prime Minister of France at the start of the Second World War.-Career:Daladier was born in Carpentras, Vaucluse. Later, he would become known to many as "the bull of Vaucluse" because of his thick neck and large shoulders and determined... |
4 June 1936 | 18 May 1940 |
| Paul Reynaud Paul Reynaud Paul Reynaud was a French politician and lawyer prominent in the interwar period, noted for his stances on economic liberalism and militant opposition to Germany. He was the penultimate Prime Minister of the Third Republic and vice-president of the Democratic Republican Alliance center-right... |
18 May 1940 | 16 June 1940 |
| Maxime Weygand Maxime Weygand Maxime Weygand was a French military commander in World War I and World War II.Weygand initially fought against the Germans during the invasion of France in 1940, but then surrendered to and collaborated with the Germans as part of the Vichy France regime.-Early years:Weygand was born in Brussels... (National Defence) and Louis Colson (War) |
16 June 1940 | 6 September 1940 |
| Charles Huntziger Charles Huntziger Charles Huntziger was a French Army general during World War I and World War II.Born at Lesneven , he graduated from Saint-Cyr in 1900 and joined the colonial infantry. During World War I he served in the Middle Eastern theatre. He was chief of staff of operations of the Allied Expeditionary Force... |
6 September 1940 | 11 August 1941 |
| François Darlan François Darlan Jean Louis Xavier François Darlan was a French naval officer. His great-grandfather was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar... |
11 August 1941 | 18 April 1942 |
| Eugène Bridoux | 18 April 1942 | 20 August 1944 |
Commissioners for War, 1941–1944
| Commissioner | Began | Ended |
| Paul Legentilhomme Paul Legentilhomme Paul Legentilhomme was an officer in the French Army during World War I and World War II. After the fall of France in 1940, he joined the forces of the Free French... |
24 September 1941 | 9 November 1943 |
| André Le Troquet | 9 November 1943 | 4 April 1944 |
| André Diethelm | 4 April 1944 | 10 September 1944 |
Ministers of National Defense, 1944–1974
| Minister | Began | Ended |
| André Diethelm | 10 September 1944 | 21 November 1945 |
| Edmond Michelet Edmond Michelet Edmond Michelet was a French politician.On 17 June 1940, he distributed tracts calling to continue the war in all Brive-la-Gaillarde's mailboxes... |
21 November 1945 | 24 June 1946 |
| Félix Gouin Félix Gouin Félix Gouin was a French Socialist politician, member of the French Section of the Workers' International .-Personal life:Félix Gouin was born in Peypin, Bouches-du-Rhône, the son of school teachers... |
24 June 1946 | 16 December 1946 |
| André Le Troquer André Le Troquer André Le Troquer was a French politician, socialist lawyer, and president of the National Assembly from 12 January 1954 to 10 January 1955, and a second time from 24 January 1956 to 4 October 1958.-Career:... |
16 December 1946 | 22 January 1947 |
| François Billoux | 22 January 1947 | 4 May 1947 |
| Yvon Delbos Yvon Delbos Yvon Delbos was a French Radical-Socialist Party politician and minister.Delbos was born in Thonac, Dordogne, Aquitaine, entered a career as a journalist, and became a member of the Radical-Socialist Party... |
4 May 1947 | 22 October 1947 |
| Pierre-Henri Teitgen Pierre-Henri Teitgen Pierre-Henri Teitgen was a French lawyer, professor and politician.Teitgen was born in Rennes, Brittany. Made prisoner of war in 1940, he played a major role in the French Resistance.... |
22 October 1947 | 26 July 1948 |
| René Mayer René Mayer René Mayer was a French Radical politician of the Fourth Republic who served briefly as Prime Minister during 1953. He led the Mayer Authority from 1955 to 1958.-Mayer's Ministry, 8 January – 28 June 1953:*René Mayer – President of the Council... |
26 July 1948 | 11 September 1948 |
| Paul Ramadier Paul Ramadier Paul Ramadier was a prominent French politician of the Third and Fourth Republics. Mayor of Decazeville starting in 1919, he served as the first Prime Minister of the Fourth Republic in 1947. On 10 July 1940, he voted against the granting of the full powers to Marshal Philippe Pétain, who... |
11 September 1948 | 28 October 1949 |
| René Pleven René Pleven René Pléven was a notable French politician of the Fourth Republic. A member of the Free French, he helped found the Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance , a political party that was meant to be a successor to the wartime Resistance movement... |
29 October 1949 | 12 July 1950 |
| Jules Moch Jules Moch Jules Salvador Moch was a French politician.-Biography:... |
12 July 1950 | 11 August 1951 |
| Georges Bidault Georges Bidault Georges-Augustin Bidault was a French politician. During World War II, he was active in the French Resistance. After the war, he served as foreign minister and prime minister on several occasions before he joined the Organisation armée secrète.-Early life:... |
11 August 1951 | 8 March 1952 |
| René Pleven René Pleven René Pléven was a notable French politician of the Fourth Republic. A member of the Free French, he helped found the Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance , a political party that was meant to be a successor to the wartime Resistance movement... |
8 March 1952 | 19 June 1954 |
| Marie Pierre Koenig Marie Pierre Koenig Marie Pierre Kœnig was a French army officer and politician. He commanded a Free French Brigade at the Battle of Bir Hakeim in North Africa in 1942.... |
19 June 1954 | 14 August 1954 |
| Emmanuel Temple | 14 August 1954 | 20 January 1955 |
| Jacques Chevallier Jacques Chevallier Jacques Chevallier was a liberal pied noir mayor of Algiers who governed the city at the head of a coalition of pied noir and Moslem representatives.... (National Defence) and Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury Maurice Jean Marie Bourgès-Maunoury was a French Radical politician who served as Prime Minister in the Fourth Republic during 1957.He is famous, especially, for fulfilling prominent ministerial role in the government during the Suez Crisis.... (Armed Forces) |
20 January 1955 | 23 February 1955 |
| Marie Pierre Koenig Marie Pierre Koenig Marie Pierre Kœnig was a French army officer and politician. He commanded a Free French Brigade at the Battle of Bir Hakeim in North Africa in 1942.... |
23 February 1955 | 6 October 1955 |
| Pierre Billotte Pierre Billotte Pierre Armand Gaston Billotte was a French Army officer and politician. He was the son of General Gaston Billotte, who commanded parts of the French Army at the start of World War II... |
6 October 1955 | 1 February 1956 |
| Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury Maurice Jean Marie Bourgès-Maunoury was a French Radical politician who served as Prime Minister in the Fourth Republic during 1957.He is famous, especially, for fulfilling prominent ministerial role in the government during the Suez Crisis.... |
1 February 1956 | 13 June 1957 |
| André Morice | 13 June 1957 | 6 November 1957 |
| Jacques Chaban-Delmas Jacques Chaban-Delmas Jacques Chaban-Delmas was a French Gaullist politician. He served as Prime Minister under Georges Pompidou from 1969 to 1972. In addition, for almost half a century, he was Mayor of Bordeaux and a deputy for the Gironde département.... |
6 November 1957 | 14 May 1958 |
| Pierre de Chevigné Pierre de Chevigné Pierre de Chevigné was a French politician, who was the Minister of Defence for the French 5th Republic between May 14 and June 1, 1958.... |
14 May 1958 | 1 June 1958 |
| Charles de Gaulle Charles de Gaulle Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969.... (National Defence) and Pierre Guillaumat Pierre Guillaumat Pierre Guillaumat was a Minister of National Education and Minister of the Armies under French President Charles De Gaulle and founder of the Elf Aquitaine oil company in 1967. He was the son of French general Adolphe Guillaumat.... (Armies) |
1 June 1958 | 8 January 1959 |
| Pierre Guillaumat Pierre Guillaumat Pierre Guillaumat was a Minister of National Education and Minister of the Armies under French President Charles De Gaulle and founder of the Elf Aquitaine oil company in 1967. He was the son of French general Adolphe Guillaumat.... |
1 June 1958 | 5 February 1960 |
| Pierre Messmer Pierre Messmer Pierre Joseph Auguste Messmer was a French Gaullist politician. He served as Minister of Armies under Charles de Gaulle from 1960 to 1969 – the longest serving since Étienne François, duc de Choiseul under Louis XV – and then as Prime Minister under Georges Pompidou from 1972 to 1974... |
5 February 1960 | 22 June 1969 |
| Michel Debré Michel Debré Michel Jean-Pierre Debré was a French Gaullist politician. He is considered the "father" of the current Constitution of France, and was the first Prime Minister of the Fifth Republic... |
22 June 1969 | 4 April 1973 |
| Robert Galley | 4 April 1973 | 28 May 1974 |
Ministers of Defense, 1974–2010
| Minister | Began | Ended |
| Jacques Soufflet | 28 May 1974 | 1 February 1975 |
| Yvon Bourges | 1 February 1975 | 2 October 1980 |
| Joël Le Theule | 2 October 1980 | 14 December 1980 |
| Robert Galley | 22 December 1980 | 22 May 1981 |
| Charles Hernu Charles Hernu Charles Hernu was a French socialist politician, most notably serving as Minister of Defence from 1981 to 1985, until forced to resign over the bombing of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior in New Zealand.-Biography:In 1946, Hernu studied at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium where he... |
22 May 1981 | 20 September 1985 |
| Paul Quilès Paul Quilès Paul Quilès is a French Socialist politician.-Biography:He was born in Sig, Algeria.Deputy of Tarn département, close to Laurent Fabius, he was Defense Minister from 1985 to 1986, after the Rainbow Warrior scandal... |
20 September 1985 | 20 March 1986 |
| André Giraud | 20 March 1986 | 12 May 1988 |
| Jean-Pierre Chevènement Jean-Pierre Chevènement Jean-Pierre Chevènement is a French politician. He was Minister of Defense from 1988 to 1991 and Minister of the Interior from 1997 to 2000. He was a presidential candidate in 2002 and since 2008 has been a member of the Senate.... |
12 May 1988 | 29 January 1991 |
| Pierre Joxe Pierre Joxe Pierre Joxe is a former French Socialist politician and has been a member of the Constitutional Council of France since 2001.... |
29 January 1991 | 9 March 1993 |
| Pierre Bérégovoy Pierre Bérégovoy Pierre Eugène Bérégovoy was a French Socialist politician. He served as Prime Minister under François Mitterrand from 1992 to 1993.-Early career:... |
9 March 1993 | 29 March 1993 |
| François Léotard François Léotard François Gerard Marie Léotard is a retired French politician. The late singer and actor Philippe Léotard was his brother.... |
29 March 1993 | 18 May 1995 |
| Charles Millon Charles Millon Charles Marie Philippe Millon, born on 13 November 1945 in Belley, Ain, is a French politician. A member of the UDF, he was member of the French parliament for Ain and President of the Rhône-Alpes Regional Council. He was Minister of Defence from 1995 to 1997 in Alain Juppé's government, and led... |
18 May 1995 | 4 June 1997 |
| Alain Richard Alain Richard Alain Richard, born on 29 August 1945, in Paris, is a French politician. An alumnus of the Ecole nationale d'administration, he was mayor of Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône and member of the French parliament, elected in Val d'Oise. A member of the French socialist party and ally of Lionel Jospin, he was the... |
4 June 1997 | 7 May 2002 |
| Michèle Alliot-Marie Michèle Alliot-Marie Michèle Jeanne Honorine Alliot-Marie, born 10 September 1946 and nicknamed MAM, is a French politician of the Union for a Popular Movement . A member of all but one right-wing governments of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, she was the first woman in France to hold the portfolios of Defense , the... |
7 May 2002 | 15 May 2007 |
| Hervé Morin Hervé Morin Hervé Morin is a French politician, leader of the New Center party and a former French Minister of Defence.-Member of National Assembly:... |
18 May 2007 | 14 November 2010 |
Ministers of Defense and Veterans Affairs, 2010–present
| Minister | Began | Ended |
| Alain Juppé Alain Juppé Alain Marie Juppé is a French politician currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister of France from 1995 to 1997 under President Jacques Chirac and the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs from 2010 to 2011... |
14 November 2010 | 27 February 2011 |
| Gérard Longuet Gérard Longuet Gérard Longuet is a French conservative politician. On 27 February 2011, he became the new French Defense Minister.-Biography:... |
27 February 2011 | Present |
See also
- Secretary of State of the Navy (France)Secretary of State of the Navy (France)The Secretary of State of the Navy was one of the four or five specialized secretaries of state in France during the Ancien Régime. This Secretary of State was responsible for the French navy and for French colonies...
- Secretary of State for War (France)Secretary of State for War (France)The Secretary of State for War was one of the four or five specialized secretaries of state in France during the Ancien Régime. The position was responsible for the Army and for overseeing French border provinces...
- Minister of the Navy (France)