Charles de Gaulle. Leader of the free French during WWII. Helped maintain French pride after the abject surrender of the French army and the creation of Vichy France. Led France out of Algeria after a bloody conflict. Repaid his thanks to the British by saying Non to British membership of the EEC.

Joan of Arc. Helped inspire the French to throwing off the British occupation. Burnt at the stake by the Church for heresy

Napoleon. Shook up Europe by starting lots of wars. Eventually he met his 'Waterloo' in Waterloo.

Marie Curie. Great scientist who helped discover radiation. Helping to implement many X ray machines during the first world War. Won the Nobel Prize for both Chemistry and Biology.

Abbey Pierre - French humanist

• 100 people who changed the world