Part 5/10:
The mid-16th century saw the outbreak of the French Wars of Religion, pitting Catholics against Huguenots. This tumult culminated in the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which granted Huguenots limited freedoms. France expanded its colonial presence in North America, the Caribbean, and India, establishing a nascent empire.
Under the absolute rule of Louis XIV, France entered its golden age, significantly increasing its overseas territories. However, external conflicts, such as the Seven Years' War, culminated in territorial losses that strained the economy by the end of the 18th century.