Events from the year 1997 in France.
Incumbents President: Jacques Chirac Prime Minister: Alain Juppé (until 3 June), Lionel Jospin (starting 3 June)
Events 27 January – It is revealed that French museums had nearly 2,000 pieces of art that had been stolen by Nazis. 30 March - Euronat, a nationalist European political alliance is founded. It was led by the French National Front (FN). It will be dissolved by 2009. 25 May – Legislative Election held. 1 June – Legislative Election held. 31 August – Diana, Princess of Wales is killed in a car crash in Paris. 3 November – In France, striking truck drivers blockade ports during a pay dispute.
Arts and literature 6 September – A Jean Michel Jarre Oxygene in Moscow concert, celebrating the city's 850th anniversary, draws 3.5 million people.
Sport 17 April – Paris–Roubaix cycling race won by Frédéric Guesdon. 29 June – French Grand Prix is won by Michael Schumacher of Germany. 5 July – Tour de France begins. 27 July – Tour de France ends, won by Jan Ullrich of Germany.
Births 3 January – Jérémie Boga, footballer 9 January – Issa Diop, footballer 12 March – Marie Hoyau, ski jumper 26 August – Lisa Gautier, actress, dancer and singer 11 September – Garance Le Guillermic actress 17 September – Ornella Bankole, basketball player 6 October – Théo Hernandez, footballer 14 November – Christopher Nkunku, footballer 1 December – Michelito Lagravere, Mexican-born bullfighter
Full date unknown Carla Ferrari, chef and TV presenter
Deaths
January to June 12 January – Jean-Edern Hallier, author (b. 1936). 8 March – Gershon Liebman, Russian-born French rabbi (b. 1905) 16 March – Jean-Dominique Bauby, journalist, author and editor (b. 1952). 19 March – Jacques Foccart, politician (b. 1913). 19 March – Eugène Guillevic, poet (b. 1907). 6 April – Pierre-Henri Teitgen, lawyer, professor and politician (b. 1908). 16 April – Roland Topor, illustrator, painter, writer and filmmaker (b. 1938). 20 April – Jean Louis, costume designer (b. 1907). 3 May – Sébastien Enjolras, motor racing driver (b. 1976). 25 June – Jacques-Yves Cousteau, naval officer, explorer, ecologist, filmmaker, scientist, photographer and researcher (b. 1910).
July to September 12 July – François Furet, historian (b. 1927). 4 August – Jeanne Calment, supercentenarian and the oldest living person ever documented in history (b. 1875). 16 August – Jacques Pollet, motor racing driver (b. 1922). 25 September – Jean Françaix, composer, pianist, and orchestrator (b. 1912).
October to December 1 November – Roger Marche, footballer (b. 1924). 13 November – James Couttet, alpine skier (b. 1921). 16 November – Georges Marchais, head of the French Communist Party (b. 1920). 25 November – Monique Serf, singer (b. 1930). 28 November – Georges Marchal, actor (b. 1920). 30 November – Françoise Prévost, actress (b. 1930). 1 December – Stéphane Grappelli, jazz violinist (b. 1908). 7 December – Fernand Cornez, cyclist (b. 1907). 13 December Georges Rose, footballer (b. 1910). David Rousset, writer and political activist (b. 1912). 18 December – Michel Quoist, priest and writer (b. 1921). 25 December – Anita Conti, explorer, photographer and first French female oceanographer (b. 1899).
Full date unknown Jean Pierre Capron, painter (b. 1921). Jean-Marie Domenach, writer and intellectual (b. 1922). Jacques Leguerney, composer (b. 1906). Fernand Oury, teacher and creator of modern French schooling (b. 1920). Jean-Pierre Sudre, photographer (b. 1921). Claude Tresmontant, philosopher, hellenist and theologian (b. 1925).
See also List of French films of 1997
References