Paris (987–1419), the residence of the Kings of France, although they were consecrated at
Reims.
Orléans (1108), one of the few consecrations of a French monarch to occur outside of Reims occurred at Orléans, when
Louis VI the Fat was consecrated in
Orléans Cathedral by
Daimbert, Archbishop of
Sens; from 13 December 1560 to 31 January 1561, the
French States-General also met in the city.
Troyes (1419–1422), for a short time during the
Hundred Years' War, the city was the seat of the royal government.
Versailles (1682–1789), from 1682 to 1715,
Louis XIV made Versailles his residence and the seat of the French court.
Paris (1789–1871), on 5 and 6 October 1789, a throng from Paris invaded the castle and forced the royal family to move back to Paris. The
National Constituent Assembly followed the King to Paris soon afterward; Versailles lost its role of capital city.
Provisional seats of the government:
Versailles (1871), the
French Third Republic established Versailles as its provisional seat of government in March 1871 after the
Paris Commune took control of Paris.
Bordeaux (September 1914), the government was relocated from Paris to Bordeaux very briefly during
World War I, when it was feared that Paris would soon fall into German hands. These fears were alleviated after the German Army was pushed back at the
First Battle of the Marne.
Tours (10–13 June 1940), the city served as the temporary capital of France during
World War II after the government fled Paris due to the German advance.
Bordeaux (June 1940), the government was relocated from Paris to Tours then Bordeaux very briefly during World War II, when it became apparent that Paris would soon fall into German hands.
Clermont-Ferrand (29 June 1940), the government was relocated from Bordeaux to Clermont-Ferrand, during a single day, before going to Vichy, which had a larger hotel capacity.
Vichy (1940–1944), the Third Republic was abolished in Vichy and replaced it with the
French State.