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The Gauls, governed by tribal chieftains, resisted Roman influence for centuries but finally fell under Roman control after defeats such as that led by Julius Caesar at Alesia in 52 BC. Roman conquest brought profound change, with Latin replacing many Celtic languages and the landscape being reshaped by Roman infrastructure and urbanization. Yet, Gaul's Celtic traditions persisted in local customs and folklore beneath the Roman veneer.
The Roman Empire and Early Medieval France
Roman Gaul became a vital part of the empire, with cities thriving as centers of commerce, politics, and culture. The transition from paganism to Christianity began under Roman influence, laying foundations for France's religious landscape.