This study group will delve into the history of France in the 100 years between Napoleon I's abdication in 1814 and the outbreak of WW1, during which time the country saw repeated uprisings as it moved haltingly from autocratic government to a democratic republic, and Paris served as the world’s cultural capital. We'll learn about the 1830 and 1848 Revolutions, the Franco-Prussian War and 1871 Commune and the Dreyfus Affair of the 1890s. Each session will start with a presentation on the life of a prominent figure and his or her historical context, followed by Q&A and discussion. The topics will come from French politics, literature, art, music, science, medicine, business, philosophy, cuisine, fashion and entertainment. While participants will be welcome to present on a figure of their choosing, presentations will otherwise be provided by the facilitator and guest speakers.