2002 in France

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See also:	Other events in 2002; History of France · Timeline · ; Years

Events from the year 2002 in France.

Incumbents edit

1 January – the Euro replaces the French franc as France's currency.
6 March – France agrees to return the remains of Saartjie Baartman to South Africa.
21 April – first round of the presidential election: Jacques Chirac and Jean-Marie le Pen poll the most votes. Two weeks of demonstrations against the National Front follow.
5 May – second round of the presidential election. Jacques Chirac returns for a second term as President of the French Republic.
6 May – nomination of Jean-Pierre Raffarin for the post of Prime Minister.
9 June – first round of the legislative elections
16 June – second round of legislative elections.
14 July – During Bastille Day celebrations, Jacques Chirac escapes an assassination attempt unscathed.
November – Citroën launches a revised model of its popular Berlingo leisure activity vehicle.
November – Renault launches the second generation of Mégane hatchback range of hatchbacks, estates, convertibles and saloons.
December – The Renault Megane II is voted European Car of the Year.
Date unknown:
- Danyel Waro, fyer bâtard documentary film is released.^[1]
- Trident Media Guard company is founded.

11 January – Henri Verneuil, playwright and filmmaker (born 1920).
13 January – Pierre Joubert, illustrator (born 1910).
23 January
- Pierre Bourdieu, sociologist (born 1930).
- Maurice Limat, science fiction author (born 1914).
13 February – Pauline Trigère, fashion designer (born 1908).
14 February – Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz, member of the French Resistance and president of ATD Quart Monde (born 1920).
21 February – Georges Vedel, public law professor (born 1910).
8 March – Robert Dun, writer and SS officer (born 1920).^[2]
12 March – Louis-Marie Billé, cardinal (born 1938).
22 March – Marcel Hansenne, middle-distance runner (born 1917).

19 April – Jean-Pierre Destrumelle, soccer player and manager (born 1941).
22 May – Niki de Saint Phalle, sculptor, painter and filmmaker (born 1930).
25 May – Michel Jobert, politician (born 1921).
29 May – François Ovide, guitarist (born 1952).
6 June – Bernard Destremau, tennis player (born 1917).
12 June – Jean de Beaumont, sport shooter (born 1904).
29 June – François Périer, actor (born 1919).
30 June
- Claude Berge, mathematician (born 1926).
- Roger Lévêque, cyclist (born 1920).

2 July – Jean-Yves Daniel-Lesur, organist and composer (born 1908).
3 July – Michel Henry, philosopher and novelist (born 1922).
31 July – Claude Rifat, biologist, psychonaut, political activist, writer and researcher.
2 August – Jean-Pierre Yvaral, artist (born 1934).
6 August – Jean Sauvagnargues, politician and Minister (born 1915).
8 September – Henri Rol-Tanguy, communist and leader in the French Resistance (born 1908).

12 October – Audrey Mestre, free-diver (born 1974).
25 October – René Thom, mathematician (born 1923).
26 October – Jacques Massu, General (born 1908).
31 October
- Lionel Poilâne, boulanger and entrepreneur (born c1945).
- Raymond Savignac, graphic artist (born 1907).
10 November – Michel Boisrond, film director and writer (born 1921).
23 November – Maritie Carpentier, television producer (born 1922).
29 November – Daniel Gélin, actor, director and screenwriter (born 1921).