1959 in France
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| See also: | Other events of 1959 History of France • Timeline • Years | ||||
Events from the year 1959 in France.
Incumbents
- President: Rene Coty (until 8 January), Charles de Gaulle (starting 8 January)
- Prime Minister: Charles de Gaulle (until 8 January), Michel Debré (starting 8 January)
Events
- 8 January - Charles de Gaulle inaugurated as the first president of French Fifth Republic.
- 2 December - Dam collapses at Malpasset, killing 421 people in the resultant flood.
Arts and literature
- 11 March - Eurovision Song Contest held in Cannes.
Sport
- 25 June - Tour de France begins.
- 18 July - Tour de France ends, won by Federico Bahamontes of Spain.
Births
- 1 January - Michel Onfray, philosopher and author
- 7 February - Christine Angot, novelist and playwright
- 18 March - Luc Besson, film director, writer and producer
- 14 May - Patrick Bruel, singer and actor
- 6 July - Richard Dacoury, basketball player
Deaths
- 21 January - Yves Le Febvre, writer and politician (born 1874)
- 17 April - Paul Dujardin, water polo player and Olympic medallist (born 1894)
- 23 June - Boris Vian, writer, poet and musician (born 1920)