# Minister of War (France)

The Minister of War (French: Ministre de la guerre) was the leader and most senior official of the French Ministry of War. It was a position in the Government of France from 1791 to 1947, replacing the position of Secretary of State for War and later being merged with the offices of Minister of the Navy and Minister of Air to form a new Minister of the Armed Forces.

## History

In 1791, during the French Revolution, the Secretary of State for War became titled Minister of War.
For most of its existence and until the beginning of the 20th century, ministers had always been Marshals or Generals. The Third Republic saw the gradual replacement of the military by civilian politicians to the office. It was also subject to the governmental instability of the regime, leading to ministers seating only for few days.

## Powers and functions

On 27 April 1791, the National Constituent Assembly issued a decree organizing the six ministries of Justice, Interior, Finances, War, Navy and Foreign Affairs. The decree was signed into law on 25 May 1791 by King Louis XVI. This law determined the responsibilities of the minister, giving him full authority on the French Army and the sole provost duties of the National Gendarmerie. It also resolved that the minister would be responsible for the administration and finances of his department.

## Officeholders
### Kingdom of France

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | King | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | King | Ref. |
| Ministry established ||||||||||
| 1 | | | Louis Lebègue Duportail | 25 May 1791 | 7 December 1791 | 196 days | Louis XVI | Louis XVI | |
| 2 | | | Louis de Narbonne-Lara | 7 December 1791 | 10 March 1792 | 94 days | Louis XVI | Louis XVI | |
| 3 | | | Pierre Marie de Grave | 10 March 1792 | 10 May 1792 | 61 days | Louis XVI | Louis XVI | |
| 4 | | | Joseph Servan | 10 May 1792 | 13 June 1792 | 34 days | Louis XVI | Louis XVI | |
| 5 | | | Charles du Périer Dumouriez | 13 June 1792 | 18 June 1792 | 5 days | Louis XVI | Louis XVI | |
| 6 | | | Pierre de Lajard | 18 June 1792 | 23 July 1792 | 35 days | Louis XVI | Louis XVI | |
| 7 | | | Charles d'Abancourt | 23 July 1792 | 10 August 1792 | 18 days | Louis XVI | Louis XVI | |
| 8 | | | Joseph Servan | 10 August 1792 | 22 September 1792 | 43 days | Louis XVI | Louis XVI | |

### First Republic

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | Head of State | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | Head of State | Ref. |
| 8 | | | Joseph Servan | 22 September 1792 1 Vendémiaire Year I | 3 October 1792 12 Vendémiaire Year I | 11 days | National Convention | National Convention | |
| Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | Interim by Pierre Lebrun-Tondu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 3 October 1792 to 24 January 1793. | |
| 9 | | | Jean-Nicolas Pache | 24 January 1793 5 Pluviôse Year I | 4 February 1793 16 Pluviôse Year I | 11 days | National Convention | National Convention | |
| 10 | | | Pierre Riel de Beurnonville | 4 February 1793 16 Pluviôse Year I | 4 April 1793 15 Germinal Year I | 59 days | National Convention | National Convention | |
| 11 | | | Jean Bouchotte | 4 April 1793 15 Germinal Year I | 20 April 1794 1 Floréal Year II | 1 year, 16 days | National Convention | National Convention | |
| All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | All ministries suspended and replaced by the Executive Commissions between 20 April 1794 and 3 November 1795. | |
| 12 | | | Jean-Baptiste Aubert du Bayet | 3 November 1795 12 Brumaire Year IV | 8 February 1796 19 Pluviôse Year IV | 97 days | Directory | Directory | |
| 13 | | | Claude Petiet | 8 February 1796 19 Pluviôse Year IV | 23 July 1797 5 Thermidor Year V | 1 year, 165 days | Directory | Directory | |
| 14 | | | Barthélemy Schérer | 23 July 1797 5 Thermidor Year V | 21 February 1799 3 Ventôse Year VII | 1 year, 213 days | Directory | Directory | |
| 15 | | | Louis de Milet de Mureau | 21 February 1799 3 Ventôse Year VII | 2 July 1799 14 Messidor Year VII | 131 days | Directory | Directory | |
| 16 | | | Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte | 2 July 1799 14 Messidor Year VII | 14 September 1799 28 Fructidor Year VII | 74 days | Directory | Directory | |
| 17 | | | Edmond Dubois-Crancé | 14 September 1799 28 Fructidor Year VII | 7 November 1799 16 Brumaire Year VIII | 54 days | Directory | Directory | |
| 18 | | | Louis-Alexandre Berthier | 7 November 1799 16 Brumaire Year VIII | 2 April 1800 12 Germinal Year VIII | 146 days | Consulate | Napoléon Bonaparte | |
| 19 | | | Lazare Carnot | 2 April 1800 12 Germinal Year VIII | 5 May 1800 16 Floréal Year VIII | 33 days | Consulate | Napoléon Bonaparte | |
| Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | Interim by Jean-Gérard Lacuée, Councillor of State, from 5 May to 8 October 1800. | |
| 20 | | | Louis-Alexandre Berthier | 8 October 1800 16 Vendémiaire Year IX | 18 May 1804 28 Floréal Year XII | 3 years, 223 days | Consulate | Napoléon Bonaparte | |

### First Empire

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | Emperor | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | Emperor | Ref. |
| 20 | | | Louis-Alexandre Berthier Prince de Neuchâtel | 18 May 1804 | 9 August 1807 | 3 years, 83 days | Napoléon | Napoleon I | |
| 21 | | | Henri Guillaume Clarke Duc de Feltre | 9 August 1807 | 20 November 1813 | 6 years, 103 days | Napoléon | Napoleon I | |
| 22 | | | Pierre Daru Comte Daru | 20 November 1813 | 1 April 1814 | 132 days | Napoléon | Napoleon I | |

### Restoration

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | King | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | King | Ref. |
| 23 | | | Pierre Antoine Comte Dupont de l'Étang | 3 April 1814 | 26 November 1814 | 237 days | Provisional Government | Louis XVIII | |
| 23 | | | Pierre Antoine Comte Dupont de l'Étang | 3 April 1814 | 26 November 1814 | 237 days | Restoration | Louis XVIII | |
| 24 | | | Jean-de-Dieu Soult Duc de Dalmatie | 26 November 1814 | 11 March 1815 | 105 days | Restoration | Louis XVIII | |
| 25 | | | Henri Guillaume Clarke Duc de Feltre | 11 March 1815 | 20 March 1815 | 9 days | Restoration | Louis XVIII | |

### Hundred Days

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | Emperor | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | Emperor | Ref. |
| 26 | | | Louis Nicolas d'Avout Duc d'Auerstaedt, Prince d'Eckmühl | 20 March 1815 | 9 July 1815 | 111 days | Hundred Days | Napoleon I | |
| 26 | | | Louis Nicolas d'Avout Duc d'Auerstaedt, Prince d'Eckmühl | 20 March 1815 | 9 July 1815 | 111 days | Executive Commission | Napoleon II | |

### Kingdom of France

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | King | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | King | Ref. |
| 27 | | | Laurent de Gouvion Marquis de Saint-Cyr | 9 July 1815 | 28 September 1815 | 81 days | Talleyrand | Louis XVIII | |
| 28 | | | Henri Guillaume Clarke Duc de Feltre | 28 September 1815 | 12 September 1817 | 1 year, 349 days | de Richelieu I | Louis XVIII | |
| 29 | | | Laurent de Gouvion Marquis de Saint-Cyr | 12 September 1817 | 19 November 1819 | 2 years, 68 days | de Richelieu I Dessolles | Louis XVIII | |
| 30 | | | Victor de Faÿ Marquis de La Tour-Maubourg | 19 November 1819 | 14 December 1821 | 2 years, 25 days | Decazes de Richelieu II | Louis XVIII | |
| 31 | | | Claude Victor Perrin Duc de Bellune | 14 December 1821 | 23 March 1823 | 1 year, 99 days | de Villèle | Louis XVIII | |
| Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | Interim by Alexandre Elisabeth Michel, Vicomte Digeon, from 23 March to 15 April 1823. | |
| 32 | | | Claude Victor Perrin Duc de Bellune | 15 April 1823 | 19 October 1823 | 187 days | de Villèle | Louis XVIII | |
| 33 | | | Ange Hyacinthe Maxence Baron de Damas | 19 October 1823 | 4 August 1824 | 175 days | de Villèle | Louis XVIII | |
| 34 | | | Aimé Marie Gaspard Comte de Clermont-Tonnerre | 4 August 1824 | 4 January 1828 | 3 years, 268 days | de Villèle | Louis XVIII | |
| 34 | | | Aimé Marie Gaspard Comte de Clermont-Tonnerre | 4 August 1824 | 4 January 1828 | 3 years, 268 days | de Villèle | Charles X | |
| 35 | | | Louis Victor de Caux Vicomte de Blacquetot | 4 January 1828 | 8 August 1829 | 1 year, 216 days | de Martignac | Charles X | |
| 36 | | | Louis Auguste Victor Comte de Ghaisnes de Bourmont | 8 August 1829 | 29 July 1830 | 355 days | de Polignac | Charles X | |
| 37 | | | Étienne Maurice Comte Gérard | 29 July 1830 | 17 November 1830 | 115 days | de Rochechouart de Mortemart Paris Municipal Commission Cabinet Provisional cabinet First cabinet | Charles X | |
| 37 | | | Étienne Maurice Comte Gérard | 29 July 1830 | 17 November 1830 | 115 days | de Rochechouart de Mortemart Paris Municipal Commission Cabinet Provisional cabinet First cabinet | Louis Philippe I | |
| 38 | | | Jean-de-Dieu Soult Duc de Dalmatie | 17 November 1830 | 18 July 1834 | 3 years, 243 days | Laffitte Casimir-Périer Soult I | Louis Philippe I | |
| 39 | | | Étienne Maurice Comte Gérard | 18 July 1834 | 10 November 1834 | 115 days | Gérard | Louis Philippe I | |
| 40 | | | Simon Bernard Général-Baron | 10 November 1834 | 18 November 1834 | 8 days | Maret | Louis Philippe I | |
| 41 | | | Édouard Mortier Duc de Trévise | 18 November 1834 | 12 March 1835 | 114 days | Mortier | Louis Philippe I | |
| Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | Interim by Henri de Rigny, Minister without portfolio, from 12 March to 30 April 1835. | |
| 42 | | | Nicolas Joseph Marquis Maison | 30 April 1835 | 19 September 1836 | 1 year, 142 days | de Broglie Thiers I | Louis Philippe I | |
| Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | Interim by Claude du Campe de Rosamel, Minister of Navy, from 6 September to 19 September 1836. | |
| 43 | | | Simon Bernard Général-Baron | 19 September 1836 | 31 March 1839 | 2 years, 193 days | Molé I – II | Louis Philippe I | |
| 44 | | | Amédée Despans-Cubières | 31 March 1839 | 12 May 1839 | 42 days | Transitional cabinet | Louis Philippe I | |
| 45 | | | Antoine Schneider | 12 May 1839 | 1 March 1840 | 294 days | Soult II | Louis Philippe I | |
| 46 | | | Amédée Despans-Cubières | 1 March 1840 | 29 October 1840 | 242 days | Thiers II | Louis Philippe I | |
| 47 | | | Jean-de-Dieu Soult Duc de Dalmatie | 29 October 1840 | 10 November 1845 | 5 years, 12 days | Soult III | Louis Philippe I | |
| 48 | | | Alexandre Moline de Saint-Yon | 10 November 1845 | 9 May 1847 | 1 year, 180 days | Soult III | Louis Philippe I | |
| 49 | | | Camille Trézel | 9 May 1847 | 24 February 1848 | 291 days | Soult III Guizot | Louis Philippe I | |

### Second Republic

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | President | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | President | Ref. |
| 50 | | | Alphonse Bedeau | 24 February 1848 | 25 February 1848 | 1 day | Provisional Government | Provisional Government | |
| 51 | | | Jacques Subervie | 25 February 1848 | 19 March 1848 | 23 days | Provisional Government | Provisional Government | |
| Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | Interim by François Arago, Minister of Navy, from 19 March to 20 March 1848. | |
| 52 | | | Louis-Eugène Cavaignac | 20 March 1848 | 5 April 1848 | 16 days | Provisional Government | Provisional Government | |
| 53 | | | François Arago | 5 April 1848 | 11 May 1848 | 42 days | Executive Commission | Executive Commission | |
| Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | Interim by Jean-Baptiste Charras, Under Secretary of State of War, from 11 May to 17 May 1848. | |
| 54 | | | Louis-Eugène Cavaignac | 17 May 1848 | 28 June 1848 | 42 days | Executive Commission | Executive Commission | |
| 55 | | | Louis Juchault de Lamoricière | 28 June 1848 | 20 December 1848 | 175 days | Cavaignac | Louis-Eugène Cavaignac | |
| 56 | | | Joseph Rullière | 20 December 1848 | 31 October 1849 | 315 days | Barrot I – II | Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte | |
| 57 | | | Alphonse d'Hautpoul | 31 October 1849 | 22 October 1850 | 356 days | d'Hautpoul | Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte | |
| 58 | | | Jean-Paul de Schramm | 22 October 1850 | 9 January 1851 | 79 days | d'Hautpoul | Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte | |
| 59 | | | Auguste Regnaud de Saint-Jean d'Angély | 9 January 1851 | 24 January 1851 | 15 days | d'Hautpoul | Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte | |
| 60 | | | Jacques Randon | 24 January 1851 | 26 October 1851 | 275 days | Rouher Faucher | Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte | |
| 61 | | | Jacques Leroy de Saint-Arnaud | 26 October 1851 | 2 December 1852 | 1 year, 37 days | Last cabinet Napoléon I – II | Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte | |

### Second Empire

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | Emperor | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | Emperor | Ref. |
| 61 | | | Jacques Leroy de Saint-Arnaud | 2 December 1852 | 11 March 1854 | 1 year, 99 days | Napoléon III | Napoleon III | |
| 62 | | | Jean-Baptiste Philibert Comte Vaillant | 11 March 1854 | 5 May 1859 | 5 years, 55 days | Napoléon III | Napoleon III | |
| 63 | | | Jacques Louis César Alexandre Comte Randon | 5 May 1859 | 20 January 1867 | 7 years, 260 days | Napoléon III | Napoleon III | |
| 64 | | | Adolphe Niel | 20 January 1867 | 13 August 1869† | 2 years, 205 days | Napoléon III | Napoleon III | |
| Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | Interim by Charles Rigault de Genouilly, Minister of Navy, from 13 August to 21 August 1869. | |
| 65 | | | Edmond Le Bœuf | 21 August 1869 | 19 July 1870 | 332 days | Napoléon IV Ollivier | Napoleon III | |
| Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | Interim by Charles Dejean, Councillor of State, from 19 July to 9 August 1870. | |
| 66 | | | Charles Cousin-Montauban Comte de Palikao | 9 August 1870 | 4 September 1870 | 26 days | Cousin-Montauban | Napoleon III | |

### Third Republic

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | President | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | President | Ref. |
| 67 | | | Adolphe Le Flô | 4 September 1870 | 5 June 1871 | 274 days | National Defence Dufaure I | Jules Trochu | |
| 67 | | | Adolphe Le Flô | 4 September 1870 | 5 June 1871 | 274 days | National Defence Dufaure I | Adolphe Thiers | |
| 68 | | | Ernest de Cissey | 5 June 1871 | 29 May 1873 | 1 year, 358 days | Dufaure I – II | Adolphe Thiers | |
| 69 | | | François du Barail | 29 May 1873 | 22 May 1874 | 358 days | de Broglie I – II | Patrice de MacMahon | |
| 70 | | | Ernest de Cissey | 22 May 1874 | 15 August 1876 | 2 years, 85 days | de Cissey Buffet Dufaure III – IV | Patrice de MacMahon | |
| 71 | | | Jean Berthaut | 15 August 1876 | 23 November 1877 | 1 year, 100 days | Dufaure IV Simon de Broglie III | Patrice de MacMahon | |
| 72 | | | Gaëtan de Rochebouët | 23 November 1877 | 13 December 1877 | 20 days | de Rochebouët | Patrice de MacMahon | |
| 73 | | | Jean-Louis Borel | 13 December 1877 | 13 January 1879 | 1 year, 31 days | Dufaure V | Patrice de MacMahon | |
| 74 | | | Henri Gresley | 13 January 1879 | 28 December 1879 | 349 days | Dufaure V Waddington | Patrice de MacMahon | |
| 74 | | | Henri Gresley | 13 January 1879 | 28 December 1879 | 349 days | Dufaure V Waddington | Jules Grévy | |
| 75 | | | Jean-Joseph Farre | 28 December 1879 | 14 November 1881 | 1 year, 260 days | Waddington de Freycinet I Ferry I | Jules Grévy | |
| 76 | | | Jean-Baptiste Campenon | 14 November 1881 | 30 January 1882 | 77 days | Gambetta | Jules Grévy | |
| 77 | | | Jean-Baptiste Billot | 30 January 1882 | 31 January 1883 | 1 year, 1 day | de Freycinet II Duclerc | Jules Grévy | |
| 78 | | | Jean Thibaudin | 31 January 1883 | 9 October 1883 | 251 days | Fallières Ferry II | Jules Grévy | |
| 79 | | | Jean-Baptiste Campenon | 9 October 1883 | 3 January 1885 | 1 year, 86 days | Ferry II | Jules Grévy | |
| 80 | | | Jules Lewal | 3 January 1885 | 6 April 1885 | 36 days | Ferry II | Jules Grévy | |
| 81 | | | Jean-Baptiste Campenon | 6 April 1885 | 7 January 1886 | 276 days | Brisson I | Jules Grévy | |
| 82 | | | Georges Boulanger | 7 January 1886 | 30 May 1887 | 1 year, 143 days | de Freycinet III Goblet | Jules Grévy | |
| 83 | | | Théophile Ferron | 30 May 1887 | 12 December 1887 | 196 days | Rouvier I | Jules Grévy | |
| 84 | | | François Logerot | 12 December 1887 | 3 April 1888 | 113 days | Tirard I | Sadi Carnot | |
| 85 | | | Charles de Freycinet | 3 April 1888 | 11 January 1893 | 4 years, 283 days | Floquet Tirard II de Freycinet IV Loubet Ribot I | Sadi Carnot | |
| 86 | | | Julien Loizillon | 11 January 1893 | 3 December 1893 | 326 days | Ribot II Dupuy I | Sadi Carnot | |
| 87 | | | Auguste Mercier | 3 December 1893 | 28 January 1895 | 1 year, 56 days | Casimir-Perier Dupuy II – III | Sadi Carnot | |
| 87 | | | Auguste Mercier | 3 December 1893 | 28 January 1895 | 1 year, 56 days | Casimir-Perier Dupuy II – III | Jean Casimir-Perier | |
| 88 | | | Émile Zurlinden | 28 January 1895 | 1 November 1895 | 277 days | Ribot III | Jean Casimir-Perier | |
| 89 | | | Jacques Cavaignac | 1 November 1895 | 29 April 1896 | 180 days | Bourgeois | Félix Faure | |
| 90 | | | Jean-Baptiste Billot | 29 April 1896 | 28 June 1898 | 2 years, 60 days | Méline | Félix Faure | |
| 91 | | | Jacques Cavaignac | 28 June 1898 | 5 September 1898 | 69 days | Brisson II | Félix Faure | |
| 92 | | | Émile Zurlinden | 5 September 1898 | 17 September 1898 | 12 days | Brisson II | Félix Faure | |
| 93 | | | Charles Chanoine | 17 September 1898 | 25 October 1898 | 38 days | Brisson II | Félix Faure | |
| Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | Interim by Édouard Lockroy, Minister of Navy, from 25 October to 1 November 1898. | |
| 94 | | | Charles de Freycinet | 1 November 1898 | 6 May 1899 | 186 days | Dupuy IV – V | Félix Faure | |
| 94 | | | Charles de Freycinet | 1 November 1898 | 6 May 1899 | 186 days | Dupuy IV – V | Émile Loubet | |
| 95 | | | Camille Krantz | 6 May 1899 | 22 June 1899 | 47 days | Dupuy V | Émile Loubet | |
| 96 | | | Gaston de Galliffet | 22 June 1899 | 29 May 1900 | 341 days | Waldeck-Rousseau | Émile Loubet | |
| 97 | | | Louis André | 29 May 1900 | 15 November 1904 | 4 years, 170 days | Waldeck-Rousseau Combes | Émile Loubet | |
| 98 | | | Henri Berteaux | 15 November 1904 | 12 November 1905 | 362 days | Combes Rouvier II | Émile Loubet | |
| 99 | | | Eugène Étienne | 12 November 1905 | 25 October 1906 | 347 days | Rouvier II – III Sarrien | Émile Loubet | |
| 99 | | | Eugène Étienne | 12 November 1905 | 25 October 1906 | 347 days | Rouvier II – III Sarrien | Armand Fallières | |
| 100 | | | Georges Picquart | 25 October 1906 | 24 July 1909 | 2 years, 272 days | Clemenceau I | Armand Fallières | |
| 101 | | | Jean Brun | 24 July 1909 | 23 February 1911† | 1 year, 214 days | Briand I – II | Armand Fallières | |
| Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | Interim by Aristide Briand, President of the Council of Ministers, from 23 February to 2 March 1911. | |
| 102 | | | Henri Berteaux | 2 March 1911 | 21 May 1911† | 80 days | Monis | Armand Fallières | |
| Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | Interim by Jean Cruppi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 21 May to 27 May 1911. | |
| 103 | | | François Goiran | 27 May 1911 | 27 June 1911 | 15 days | Monis | Armand Fallières | |
| 104 | | | Adolphe Messimy | 27 June 1911 | 14 January 1912 | 201 days | Caillaux | Armand Fallières | |
| 105 | | | Alexandre Millerand | 14 January 1912 | 12 January 1913 | 364 days | Poincaré I | Armand Fallières | |
| 106 | | | Albert Lebrun | 12 January 1913 | 21 January 1913 | 9 days | Poincaré I | Armand Fallières | |
| 107 | | | Eugène Étienne | 21 January 1913 | 9 December 1913 | 322 days | Briand III – IV Barthou | Armand Fallières | |
| 107 | | | Eugène Étienne | 21 January 1913 | 9 December 1913 | 322 days | Briand III – IV Barthou | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 108 | | | Joseph Noulens | 9 December 1913 | 9 June 1914 | 182 days | Doumergue I | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 109 | | | Théophile Delcassé | 9 June 1914 | 13 June 1914 | 4 days | Ribot IV | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 110 | | | Adolphe Messimy | 13 June 1914 | 26 August 1914 | 74 days | Viviani I | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 111 | | | Alexandre Millerand | 26 August 1914 | 29 October 1915 | 1 year, 64 days | Viviani II | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 112 | | | Joseph Gallieni | 29 October 1915 | 16 March 1916 | 139 days | Briand V | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 113 | | | Pierre Roques | 16 March 1916 | 12 December 1916 | 271 days | Briand V | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 114 | | | Hubert Lyautey | 12 December 1916 | 15 March 1917 | 93 days | Briand VI | Raymond Poincaré | |
| Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | Interim by Lucien Lacaze, Minister of Navy, from 15 March to 20 March 1917. | |
| 115 | | | Paul Painlevé | 20 March 1917 | 16 November 1917 | 241 days | Ribot V Painlevé I | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 116 | | | Georges Clemenceau | 16 November 1917 | 20 January 1920 | 2 years, 65 days | Clemenceau II | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 117 | | | André Lefèvre | 20 January 1920 | 16 December 1920 | 331 days | Millerand I – II Leygues | Raymond Poincaré | |
| 117 | | | André Lefèvre | 20 January 1920 | 16 December 1920 | 331 days | Millerand I – II Leygues | Paul Deschanel | |
| 117 | | | André Lefèvre | 20 January 1920 | 16 December 1920 | 331 days | Millerand I – II Leygues | Alexandre Millerand | |
| 118 | | | Flaminius Raiberti | 16 December 1920 | 16 January 1921 | 31 days | Leygues | Alexandre Millerand | |
| 119 | | | Louis Barthou | 16 January 1921 | 15 January 1922 | 364 days | Briand VII | Alexandre Millerand | |
| 120 | | | André Maginot | 15 January 1922 | 14 June 1924 | 2 years, 151 days | Poincaré II – III François-Marsal | Alexandre Millerand | |
| 121 | | | Charles Nollet | 14 June 1924 | 17 April 1925 | 307 days | Herriot I | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 122 | | | Paul Painlevé | 17 April 1925 | 29 October 1925 | 195 days | Painlevé II | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 123 | | | Édouard Daladier | 29 October 1925 | 28 November 1925 | 31 days | Painlevé III | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 124 | | | Paul Painlevé | 28 November 1925 | 23 June 1926 | 207 days | Briand VIII – IX | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 125 | | | Adolphe Guillaumat | 23 June 1926 | 19 July 1926 | 207 days | Briand X | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 126 | | | Paul Painlevé | 19 July 1926 | 3 November 1929 | 3 years, 107 days | Herriot II Poincaré IV–V Briand XI | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 127 | | | André Maginot | 3 November 1929 | 21 February 1930 | 110 days | Tardieu I | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 128 | | | René Besnard | 21 February 1930 | 2 March 1930 | 9 days | Chautemps I | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 129 | | | André Maginot | 2 March 1930 | 13 December 1930 | 286 days | Tardieu II | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 130 | | | Louis Barthou | 13 December 1930 | 27 January 1931 | 45 days | Steeg | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 131 | | | André Maginot | 27 January 1931 | 7 January 1932† | 345 days | Laval I – II | Gaston Doumergue | |
| 131 | | | André Maginot | 27 January 1931 | 7 January 1932† | 345 days | Laval I – II | Paul Doumer | |
| Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | Interim by Charles Dumont, Minister of Navy, from 7 January to 14 January 1932. | - |
| 132 | | | André Tardieu | 14 January 1932 | 20 February 1932 | 37 days | Laval III | Paul Doumer | |
| 133 | | | François Piétri | 20 February 1932 | 3 June 1932 | 104 days | Tardieu III | Paul Doumer | |
| 134 | | | Joseph Paul-Boncour | 3 June 1932 | 18 December 1932 | 198 days | Herriot III | Albert Lebrun | |
| 135 | | | Édouard Daladier | 18 December 1932 | 30 January 1934 | 1 year, 43 days | Paul-Boncour Daladier I Sarraut I Chautemps II | Albert Lebrun | |
| 136 | | | Jean Fabry | 30 January 1934 | 4 February 1934 | 5 days | Daladier II | Albert Lebrun | |
| 137 | | | Joseph Paul-Boncour | 4 February 1934 | 9 February 1934 | 5 days | Daladier II | Albert Lebrun | |
| 138 | | | Philippe Pétain | 9 February 1934 | 8 November 1934 | 272 days | Doumergue II | Albert Lebrun | |
| 139 | | | Louis Maurin | 8 November 1934 | 7 June 1935 | 211 days | Flandin I Bouisson | Albert Lebrun | |
| 140 | | | Jean Fabry | 7 June 1935 | 24 January 1936 | 231 days | Laval IV | Albert Lebrun | |
| 141 | | | Louis Maurin | 24 January 1936 | 4 June 1936 | 132 days | Sarraut II | Albert Lebrun | |
| 142 | | | Édouard Daladier | 4 June 1936 | 18 May 1940 | 3 years, 349 days | Blum I Chautemps III – IV Blum II Daladier III – IV – V Reynaud | Albert Lebrun | |
| 143 | | | Paul Reynaud | 18 May 1940 | 16 June 1940 | 29 days | Reynaud | Albert Lebrun | |
| 144 | | | Louis Colson | 16 June 1940 | 10 July 1940 | 24 days | Pétain | Albert Lebrun | |

### Vichy France

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | Chief of State | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | Chief of State | Ref. |
| - | | | Louis Colson | 10 July 1940 | 6 September 1940 | 58 days | Laval V | Philippe Pétain | |
| - | | | Charles Huntziger | 6 September 1940 | 11 November 1941† | 1 year, 66 days | Laval V Flandin II Darlan | Philippe Pétain | |
| - | | | François Darlan | 11 November 1941 | 18 April 1942 | 158 days | Darlan | Philippe Pétain | |
| - | | | Eugène Bridoux | 18 April 1942 | 20 August 1944 | 2 years, 124 days | Laval VI | Philippe Pétain | |

### Free France

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | Leader | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | Leader | Ref. |
| 145 | | | Paul Legentilhomme | 24 September 1941 | 9 November 1943 | 2 years, 46 days | CNF | Charles de Gaulle | |
| 145 | | | Paul Legentilhomme | 24 September 1941 | 9 November 1943 | 2 years, 46 days | CFLN | Charles de Gaulle | |
| 146 | | | André Le Troquer | 9 November 1943 | 4 April 1944 | 147 days | CFLN | Charles de Gaulle | |
| 147 | | | André Diethelm | 4 April 1944 | 10 September 1944 | 159 days | CFLN | Charles de Gaulle | |

### Provisional Government

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Cabinet | President | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Cabinet | President | Ref. |
| (147) | | | André Diethelm | 10 September 1944 | 21 November 1945 | 1 year, 72 days | de Gaulle I | Charles de Gaulle | |

### Fourth Republic

| No. | Portrait | Name | Name | Term | Term | Term | Government | President | Ref. |
| No. | Portrait | Took office | Left office | Time in office | | | Government | President | Ref. |
| 148 | | | Paul Coste-Floret serving with Defence Minister François Billoux | 22 January 1947 | 22 October 1947 | 273 days | Ramadier I | Vincent Auriol | |
| Ministry disestablished ||||||||||