French (Age of Empires III)

This article is about the civilization in Age of Empires III. For other uses, see French.

Civilization

Technology tree

Strategy

Home City Cards

Dialogue lines

French
Civilization
Civilization information
Introduced in	Age of Empires III
Architecture	Western European
Continent	Europe
Home City	Paris
In-game theme
Features/Characteristics
Unique units	Coureur des Bois Cuirassier
Royal Guard units	Skirmisher (Voltigeur) Cuirassier (Gendarme)
AI personality	Napoleon Bonaparte
Revolutions	Canada Haiti Revolutionary France United States

“	Descendants of the Franks who inhabited regions in France. The French held large areas in the New World until the late 1700s. They famously supported the American revolution after the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.	”
—Forgotten Empires website

The French are a playable European civilization in Age of Empires III.

Their ancestors, the Franks, are featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, and reappear as French in Age of Empires IV. They held large areas in the New World until the late 1700s, and still have small colonies in South America today.

In all three games they are a beginner-friendly civilization whose strong economy provides the resources needed to fund their elite cavalry.

Home City

• Definitive
• Original

Default Explorer names

First names

Aime, Andre, Antoine, Charles, Duc, Jacques, Jean, Julian, Louis, Medard, Nicholas, Pierre, Rene, Samuel, Sieur, Thomas

Last names

Aubert, Aury, Baudin, Bernard, Bonpland, Cartier, Dubuque, Jolliet, Marquette, Michaux, Nicollet, Radisson, Ribault, de Cadillac, de Champlain, de Charlevoix, de Condamine, de Groseillier, de Laudonniere, de la Harpe, de la Perouse, de la Salle, du Sable

• New World Trading Company
• Military Academy
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Manufacturing Plant
• Harbor

• Torchy - An entertainer who performs tricks with fire (1 point)
• Juggler - A juggling performer (1 point)
• Vendor Cart - A store on wheels hawking goods of all kinds (1 point)
• Home City Chatter - Enable this to show comments made by citizens strolling through this city (1 point)
• Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
• Market Day Pennants - These bright streamers declare it is market day (1 point)
• French New World Trade Center - Original color scheme for French New World Trade Center (Default)
• Bonaparte's Imports and Exports - A red and gold version of the French New World Trade Center (1 point)
• Boissenberry's Outfitters - A blue and white version of the French New World Trade Center (1 point)
• Jean Lafitte's New World Outfitters - A green and red version of the French New World Trade Center (1 point)
• Olde Towne Trade Center - Upgraded version of the original French New World Trade Center (1 point)
• Cosette's Imports and Exports - Upgraded version of the red and gold French New World Trade Center (1 point)
• J.C. Kiley's Outfitters - Upgraded version of the blue and white French New World Trade Center (1 point)
• B. Crow's New World Market - Upgraded version of the green and red French New World Trade Center (1 point)

• Nobleman - The uppercrust of any society (1 point)
• Noblewoman - An elegant member of any society (1 point)
• Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
• Sparkling Fountain of Athos - A decorative fountain upon which to gaze (1 point)
• Statue of the Sovereign - A tribute to the Empire's famous leader (1 point)
• French Royal Academy - Original color version of the French Academy (Default)
• Royal School of Marksmanship - A red and gold version of the French Academy (1 point)
• Waterloo Academy - A blue and white version of the French Academy (1 point)
• Charles the Great Academy - A red and green version of the French Academy (1 point)
• The D'Artagnan Musketeer Institute - An upgraded version of the original French Academy (1 point)
• Imperial School of Military Studies - An upgraded version of the red and gold French Academy (1 point)
• The Versailles Academy - An upgraded version of the blue and white French Academy (1 point)
• Napoleon's Academy - An upgraded version of the red and green French Academy (1 point)

• The Royal Coach - This coach waits upon the whims of royalty (1 point)
• Mime - A street performer who interacts with an unseen world (1 point)
• The Hunchback - A bellringer for the Paris Cathedral (1 point)
• Musician - A strolling entertainer (1 point)
• The Reverend - A street preacher sharing the good news (1 point)
• Sunrise Lighting - The sun rises above the empire's capitol city (Default)
• Daytime Lighting - The city with the sun shining brightly (1 point)
• Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
• Statue of the Sovereign - A tribute to the Empire's famous leader (1 point)
• Richelieu Fountain - A decorative fountain upon which to gaze (1 point)
• Notre Dame (original) - The original color scheme for Notre Dame Cathedral (1 point)
• Notre Dame (red and gold) - A red and gold version of Notre Dame Cathedral (1 point)
• Notre Dame (blue and white) - A blue and white version of Notre Dame Cathedral (1 point)
• Notre Dame (green and red) - A green and red version of the Notre Dame Cathedral (1 point)

• The Artist - An artist who sets up his easel and paints (1 point)
• Thug - A brutish and unpleasant fellow (1 point)
• Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
• Basic Street Lamps - Simple technology to make streets just a little safer at night (1 point)
• Elegant Street Lamps - Attractive lighting for the city's byways (1 point)
• Decorative Street Lamps - Street lighting with a dramatic flair (1 point)
• Fancy Street Lamps - Tastefully elegant lighting for the city's best streets (1 point)
• Paris Foundry - The original color scheme for the French Manufacturing Plant (Default)
• Sacre Couer Manufacturing - A red and gold version of the French Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
• Versailles Pipe and Metalworks - A blue and white version of the French Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
• Orleans Manufacturing - An orange version of the French Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
• Dominique Foundry - Upgraded version of the original French Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
• Jacques P. Manufacturing - Upgraded version of the red and gold color French Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
• R. Rowe Pipe and Metalworks - Upgraded version of the blue and white French Manufacturing Plant (1 point)
• Metals by Maurice - Upgraded version of the orange French Manufacturing Plant (1 point)

• Drunk - A sailor who has overindulged in adult beverages (1 point)
• Nice Lady - A woman in a red dress (1 point)
• Fisherman - A man who would rather be fishing (1 point)
• Patriotic Bunting - The citizens show their national pride by decorating with patriotic banners (1 point)
• La bannière de l'amiral - A furled banner alerts townsfolk that the fleet is in (1 point)
• De Bougainville Ministere de la Mer - Original version of the French Dock's color scheme (Default)
• Comte de Barras Naval Academy - A red and gold version of the French Dock's color scheme (1 point)
• Compt de la Perouse Charts and Charters - A blue and white themed version of French Dock's color scheme (1 point)
• Chevalier de Ternay Bureau de l'immigration - A green version of the French Dock's color scheme (1 point)
• Paris Master of the Port - An upgraded version of the original French Dock (1 point)
• The Imperial Docks - An upgraded red and gold version of the French Dock (1 point)
• Brest Shipping - An upgraded version of the blue and white themed French Dock (1 point)
• The French West Indies Company - An upgraded green version of the French Dock (1 point)

Characteristics

Civilization bonuses

• Starts with 350 food, 200 wood, five Coureur des Bois, and a Native Scout
• Train Coureurs des Bois instead of Settlers, which gathers faster and are more effective in combat but more expensive
• Choose Politicians to advance in Age
• Royal Guard units: Skirmisher (Voltigeur), Cuirassier (Gendarme)

Unique units

• Coureur des Bois: Expensive but powerful villager who gathers fast.
• Cuirassier: Heavy cavalry with a trample attack.

Politicians

• The Governor, The Inventor, The Logistician, The Naturalist, The Quartermaster (Commerce Age)
• The Bishop, The Exiled Prince, The Gentleman Pirate, The Marksman, The Mercenary Contractor (Fortress Age)
• The Cavalry Marshal, The Engineer, The King's Musketeer, The Papal Guard, The Tycoon (Industrial Age)
• El Presidente, The General, The Mercenary Contractor, The Knight, The Royalist (Imperial Age)

Revolutions

• Francisco de Paula Santander and Toussaint L'Ouverture (The WarChiefs and The Asian Dynasties).
• Canada, Haiti, Revolutionary France (exclusive) and United States (since the Definitive Edition).

Overview

The French military possesses a troop roster similar to the Spanish; they have a diverse selection of units. The Lancer unit, however, is replaced by the powerful Cuirassier, which is typically a common sight in late-Age armies. They have one of the best economies in the game due to their fast-gathering Coureur des Bois. One of the French's main specialties is their stronger alliances with Native American settlements as their Home City provides many unique cards for it.

Campaign appearances

• Act II: Ice
  • The Seven Years' War
    • French - Ally
• Act I: Fire
  • The Battle of Yorktown
    • Lafayette - Ally
• The Art of War
  • Build Orders
    • French - Player
  • Land Battle
    • French - Player
• Historical Battles
  • Fort Duquesne
    • New France - Player

In-game dialogue

Main article: French (Age of Empires III)/Dialogue lines

French units speak their namesake language.

Common

Select

• Oui ? - Yes?
• Prêt (masculine)/Prête (feminine) - Ready
• Votre ordre ? - Your order?
• Bonjour ! - Hello!

Move

• Oui - Yes
• Très bien - Very well
• Je le ferai - I will do it
• Correct - Right

Attack

• À l'attaque ! - Attack!
• Chargez ! - Charge!
• Oui ! - Yes!

Settler

• Build Maçon - Bricklayer (masculine, female settler should have used the feminine form maçonne here)
• Female Farm Fermière - Farmer (feminine)
• Male Farm Fermier - Farmer (masculine)
• Female Gather Coin Ramasseuse - Collector (feminine)
• Male Gather Coin Ramasseur - Collector (masculine)
• Female Gather Fruit Cueilleuse - Gatherer (feminine)
• Male Gather Fruit Cueilleur - Gatherer (masculine)
• Female Gather Meat Chasseuse - Huntress
• Male Gather Meat Chasseur - Hunter
• Female Gather Wood Bûcheronne - Lumberjack (feminine)
• Male Gather Wood Bûcheron - Lumberjack (masculine)

Explorer

• Claim Au nom de la France, je revendique cette terre! - In name of France, I claim this land!
• Disabled Je suis blessé, je ne peux pas bouger - I'm injured, I can't move
• Ransomed Merci d'avoir payé ma rançon - Thank you for having paid my ransom
• Revived J'ai repris des forces - I have regained strength

History

“	France began the age of exploration as one of the more powerful nations in Europe economically, militarily, and geographically. Initially they trailed the Spanish and Portuguese in the quest for overseas trade and empire, but made significant progress in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They were exploring and attempting to settle North America before the British, attracted by the fishing off Newfoundland, fur trading, and their search for a northwest passage around the Americas to the Pacific Ocean and Asia. A sixteenth century settlement in Florida was wiped out by the Spanish. Several attempts to settle in Nova Scotia and along the St. Lawrence River finally resulted in a permanent settlement in Quebec. From there intrepid explorers, including Champlain, Marquette, and many others, worked their way through the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi to its mouth. They established better relations with the Native Americans than any other European nation, mainly because they encouraged fur trading and were less interested in permanent settlement. French trappers and traders came to America in relatively small numbers to make a fortune in furs, and then returned home. They eventually built a string of trading posts and forts along the interior trade route at New Orleans, St. Louis, Mackinac Island, Detroit, and Fort Duquesne (modern Pittsburgh). French involvement in Europe, India, and the Caribbean meant that colonizing efforts in Canada were not strongly or systematically supported. The efforts of the smaller French population to keep the rapidly growing British bottled up along the Atlantic seaboard could not be sustained. When war came in the eighteenth century, Canada was lost in battle and traded at the negotiation table for some spice islands in Indonesia. The French retained their control of the Mississippi and Missouri River watersheds until the early nineteenth century, when Napoleon sold France's vast holdings to the fledgling United States to support his wars in Europe.	”
—In-game history section

France underwent a violent revolution in the late 18th century, and by the early 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte was France's Emperor and supreme commander. He proceeded to conquer almost all of Europe with his Grande Armée, barring Britain and Russia.

Trivia

• Despite the French being unable to create Settlers by standard means, female Settlers have their own voice clips. Males have the same voice clips as Coureurs des Bois.
  • The unused French Settlers have the same appearance as the British and Dutch Settlers.
• The French flag shown in the game is the Flag of the Kingdom of France that was used between 1365–1794 by the Kingdom of France.
  • According to a unused textures in the game files (french.ddt) and a Napoleon Bonaparte quote, the French flag in the game would be the National flag (also know as the "Tricolore") used by the First Republic and the First French Empire between 1794–1814.
• The architecture style of the French post Exploration Age is mainly timber framing. This is historically inaccurate as this style was used predominantly in Europe and France while French colonies in North America used French colonial architecture instead.
• Before the Definitive Edition, the French were highly criticized as the most powerful civilization for treaty games, mostly due to the very high statistics of a Post-Imperial Gendarme. In certain maps, like the Great Plains, they can get the Cheyenne Horse Trading technology at the Cheyenne native site. When combined with a few Home City Cards, they get cavalry trained almost instantly, leading to a critical mass of Gendarmes in a very short time to overrun entire armies of most civilizations, leaving very few but expensive counters to certain civilizations, which were also taken down by the already strong French Skirmishers. This lead to the removal of the decreased training time effect of the Thoroughbreds card and the new calculation of Cuirassier statistics based on the Commerce Age in the Definitive Edition.
• The French have similarities to the Franks in Age of Empires II and French in Age of Empires IV, where they are a cavalry-focused civilization with a very strong economy. The French also share the same characteristic of a beginner-friendly civilization with their straightforward bonuses and Home City cards.

Gallery

Paris, the French Home City, in the Definitive Edition

Paris in the original game

Preview of the French for the Definitive Edition

A French army in the intro cinematic of the Definitive Edition