French Empire

The term French Empire can refer to:

  • Two Empires of the French founded by members of the House of Bonaparte,
    • The First French Empire of Napoleon I and II (1804–1814 and 1815)
    • The Second French Empire of Napoleon III (1852–1870)
  • The French colonial empire of the 17th to 20th centuries
  • French Empire style
  • Second (French) Empire style
  • Francia (Frankish Empire) of Charlemagne

Famous quotes containing the words french and/or empire:

    “But compared with the task of selecting a piece of French pastry held by an impatient waiter a move in chess is like reaching for a salary check in its demand on the contemplative faculties.”
    —Robert Benchley (1889–1945)

    “Let Rome in Tiber melt and the wide arch
    Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.
    Kingdoms are clay; our dungy earth alike
    Feeds beast as man. The nobleness of life
    Is to do thus; when such a mutual pair
    And such a twain can do ‘t, in which I bind,
    On pain of punishment, the world to weet
    We stand up peerless.”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)