Biography

Where life imitates art: France’s literary love affair with Molière

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin – the performer, playwright and lascivious lover, better known as Molière – celebrates his 400th birthday this year

Jacques-Yves Cousteau - undersea explorer, filmmaker and so much more

The French naval officer helped millions of people see into the deep through his inventions and productions but he also worked on projects to build three underwater villages in Sudan

Joséphine Bonaparte, Napoleon’s wife, was nothing if not a survivor

Her life was far from ordinary: she lost her first husband to the guillotine, built up legendary debts and wild animals roamed freely about her extensive gardens

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Claude Monet: French impressionist who went to war for his art

In 1861, Monet was drafted into the army and sent to Algeria. His rich father refused to buy him out unless he agreed to give up painting, but he refused