Looking for a decent documentary on French history

November 30, 2010 9:58 AM

I'm looking for a documentary on French history. Something similar to Simon Schamra's BBC series "A History of Britain".

The perfect documentary for me would cover, at least in summary form, French history from:

Ancient History
Middle Ages
Louis XIV
The Revolution
Napoleon
Impressionism
WW I
WW II
Modern era

I was a big fan of Simon Schamra's BBC series "A History of Britain". If I could find something just like that, but for France, I'd be very happy.

Do you have any suggestions for me?

Thanks!

posted by xotis to education (5 answers total)

Not what you want, precisely - but Schama wrote a book on the French Revolution back in the day before he did TV documentaries. It's a book, it covers only a tiny slice of French history, and it might be in a slightly more academic style than you want (though I find him very readable, even in his more theoretical academic work). But highly recommend.

And if it's Dutch history you're after, you should also check out An Embarrassment of Riches.

Sorry, I just have a massive crush on Simon Schama.
posted by Sara C. at 11:08 AM on November 30, 2010

Can't believe I mistyped Simon Shama, twice even!
posted by xotis at 12:06 PM on November 30, 2010

The History Channel did a series on the French Revolution but that is only a small part of what you want.
posted by TheRaven at 12:29 PM on November 30, 2010

Three times, now. Perhaps Simon Schama will appear!

Seconding the recommendation of Citizens as an outstanding book.

Does this documentary you're looking for have to be in English, or would your French be good enough to follow one in French?
posted by Sidhedevil at 4:08 PM on November 30, 2010

Schama Schama Schama. There, out of my system.

The documentary would need to be in English.
posted by xotis at 4:41 PM on November 30, 2010