Friend or Foe: Egypt and France's history

Wander Wednesday: France & Egypt — A Long, Winding Story Through Time

Okay, sit down and buckle up, because this week’s Wander Wednesday takes us deep into the past as we look at how other countries—especially France—have shaped Egypt across centuries. As always, these are just highlights. When we craft travel experiences for someone heading to Egypt, we expand far beyond tidbits. We take your interests and turn them into rich, meaningful insights to explore along your journey.

Last week, we touched on Britain and England’s role in Egyptian history.
Today, we shift our focus to France—whose connection with Egypt stretches back much further than most people realize.

Before France Was France: Greek Marseille & Early Egypt

Let’s jump all the way back to 600–30 BCE, when Greek sailors founded Massalia (modern Marseille). Long before it became French, Marseille: was a thriving Greek port trading directly with Alexandria, Egypt.

By the Ptolemaic Dynasty (~300 BCE), Egypt’s trade with Mediterranean powers was booming. “Wait,” you say, “Ptolemaic? I know that name.” Yes, yes you do, it’s the dynasty that produced Cleopatra VII, one of the most famous figures in world history. Her death in 30 BCE ended Egypt’s independence for nearly 2000+ years, ushering in Roman rule.

Moving away from France for a moment and into Roman rule... "Wait you mentioned, Alexandria, what about its library?"

Ah yes, The Famous Library of Alexandria. It's a library I would never forget a library. Founded around 283 BCE under Ptolemy I Soter, it became the greatest repository of knowledge in the ancient world. Its destruction in 48 BCE remains one of history’s great tragedies, to this day we do not know exactly what caused it to burn, there are suspensions but no confirmation. Anyway, I was only jumping to 130 BCE still during the time of the Library of Alexandria

Before Egypt fell under Roman rule. In 130 CE, Egypt witnessed one of the most poignant episodes of Roman history. Emperor Hadrian journeyed through the country: from Alexandria, down through Middle Egypt, and along the Nile. During this voyage, tragedy struck: his beloved companion Antinous drowned in the river under mysterious circumstances. Grief-stricken, Hadrian responded in the way any emperor would. He founded the city of Antinoöpolis in his honor and established the cult of Antinous, which spread across the Roman world.

Rome, Persia, Byzantium… and Then Islam (30 BCE–1176 CE)

Even after the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE, Egypt remained under Byzantine control until the Persians briefly occupied it from 619–629 CE.

In 641 CE, The Byzantine Empire's control collapsed, and Egypt entered a new era under the Islamic Caliphate.

Between 641–1176 CE, a series of Islamic dynasties shaped Egypt culturally, politically, and architecturally. Islam spread quickly, but by the 1100s the caliphate was weakening—especially its navy, which often clashed with Crusader fleets.

Between 641–1176 CE, a series of Islamic dynasties shaped Egypt culturally, politically, and architecturally. Islam spread quickly, but by the 1100s the caliphate was weakening—especially its navy, which often clashed with Crusader fleets.

The Crusades & France’s First Encounters with Egypt

After the First Crusade, French leaders realized Egypt—not Syria—was the true key to controlling Jerusalem. Egypt had the wealth, the manpower, and the navy to make or break Crusader ambitions.

1163: France’s First Major Foray

French-led crusader forces launched their first large-scale attack on Egypt in 1163, destabilizing the already fragile Fatimid state. On paper this should have helped the Crusaders—but instead, it created the opening for someone far more formidable.

Enter Saladin (Don't worry at some point I will have an entire post just on his ripples across Medieval World)

Though young, Saladin rose rapidly in power, knowledge and respect, through Egypt’s political chaos. He even earned the respect of the Crusaders. Ending the Fatimid Caliphate in 1171 he stepped into his role as Egypt’s ruler.

He held Egypt until his death in 1193, repelling the Third Crusade and negotiating with French leaders for truces, prisoner exchanges, and pilgrimage rights the year before.

Louis IX’s Miscalculation: The Seventh Crusade (1249–1250)

Peace held between Egypt and France under Saladin’s heirs—until 1249, when Louis IX of France launched the Seventh Crusade and invaded Egypt. The French King had clearly forgotten his history, and the economic structure of the world... It did not go well him.

Louis IX underestimated Egypt’s power and overestimated European military advantage. The French army was defeated, Louis himself was held hostage for several months, and a massive ransom eventually secured his release. It remains one of the most dramatic moments in Egyptian–French history and a lesson they don't forget until Napoleon .

Prior to Napoleon Egypt came under Mamluk rule from 1250 to 1517. Throughout the 1300s and 1400s, France learned it was wiser to seek diplomatic means with Egypt.

• treaties were signed

• French merchants were granted tax exemptions (yes, always about the taxes!)

• safe passage agreements protected French pilgrims and traders

Egypt and France entered a surprisingly stable, cooperative relationship. Even as the Ottoman Empire Conquered Egypt in 1517 reshaping foreign relationships. Within a few decades France and Egypt reformed a stronger alliance.

France was granted:

• the right to trade freely

• the ability to establish consulates

• legal protection for merchants

• special tax privileges

By the 17th and 18th centuries, France had become one of Egypt’s largest European trading partners.

In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt hoping to cut Britain off from India. This time France was slightly more successful and managed to occupy Alexandria and Cairo until 1801. Although ultimately the military campaign failed, it sparked a cultural and scholarly revolution.

The creation of the Description de l’Égypte, the first comprehensive writing of Ancient and Modern (at the time) Egypt. A French Soldier discovered the Rosetta Stone in 1799.

The French were expelled in 1801, but those three years left their mark. Nationalism begins to rise in Egypt, more European style reforms were demanded.

Napoleon’s scholars unintentionally launched modern Egyptology that swept through Europe in the 1800s

Napoleon in Egypt: Conquest, Scholarship, and the Birth of Egyptology (1798–1801)

Modern Egypt & French Influence (1800s–1914)

As France withdrew, Muhammad Ali took power and modernized Egypt—with significant French help.
French advisors shaped:

• military modernization

• engineering

• education

• administration

• industrial projects

1869: The Suez Canal

Built with major French engineering influence, the Suez Canal transformed global trade. But it came at a tremendous financial cost, pushing Egypt toward bankruptcy.

By 1876, France and Britain took control of Egypt’s finances; by 1882, Britain had occupied the country. Egypt remained nominally under Ottoman rule until 1914, but real control was firmly in English hands.

France & the Birth of Egyptology

France played a huge role in creating modern Egyptology:

• Founded the Institut d’Égypte in Cairo

• Produced Description de l’Égypte

• Champollion deciphered hieroglyphics, unlocking ancient Egyptian history

• French archaeologists helped establish Egypt’s first Antiquities Service and museums

These moments aren’t just history—they’re the living layers that whisper beneath Egypt’s golden sands and shimmer along the Nile. When you wander Alexandria’s storied streets, drift through Coptic Cairo, sail past the Citadel, or step into the hush of the Valley of the Kings, you’re moving through a world shaped by centuries of powerful connections… including France’s unexpected and fascinating imprint.

At Sovereign Dragon Journeys, we take the threads of Egypt’s story that spark your curiosity and weave them into a travel experience worthy of Mytica’s magic—personal, immersive, and alive with meaning.

Are you ready to wander deeper into the myth and memory of Egypt? ✨