The book by Peter Cherkasov is dedicated to a brilliant period in the history of France, when it occupied the exceptional position of “arbiter of Europe”, and Paris was rightfully considered the “capital of the world”. However, this period ended with the collapse of royal power, followed by a revolutionary decade and the Bonapartist coup of 1799. How did the Bourbon dynasty establish itself on the throne and why did it lose power? Who ruled France for two centuries? Why did the constitutional monarchy not take place in 1789–1792? What were the first steps of the French Republic? The author gives answers to these questions by examining the history of France through the fates of its rulers - from King Henry IV to the head of the government of the first French Republic, Paul Barras. The book presents nine portraits - as always, Peter Cherkasov, capacious, accurate, detailed. Peter Cherkasov - Doctor of Historical Sciences, chief researcher at the Institute of General History of the Russian Academy of Sciences, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, holder of the Order of the Legion of Honor.