See also: 1895 in France, other events of 1896, 1897 in France.

Events from the year 1897 in France.

Events

Births

January to June

• 4 January - André Masson, artist (d.1987).
• 19 February - André Breton, writer, poet, and surrealist theorist (d.1966).
• 20 February - Henri de Lubac, Jesuit priest and theologian (d.1991).
• 19 March - Jean Wiener, pianist and composer (d.1982).
• 18 April - Job de Roincé, journalist and writer (d.1981).
• 20 April - Henry de Montherlant, essayist, novelist and playwright (d.1972).

July to December

• 16 July - Léon Weil, World War I veteran (d.2006).
• 21 July - Jean Rivier, composer (d.1987).
• 27 July - Henri Longchambon, politician (d.1969).
• 12 August - Alexis Tendil, World War I veteran (d.2005).
• 23 August - Jacques Rueff, economist and adviser to the French Government (d.1978).
• 1 September - André Hunebelle, film director (d.1985).
• 14 September - Georges Piot, rower and Olympic medallist (d.1980).
• 29 December - Philippe Étancelin, motor racing driver (d.1981).

Full date unknown

• Marie Besnard, accused serial poisoner (d.1980).
• Lisette de Brinon, socialite and collaborator (d.1982).

Deaths

January to June

• 8 January - Paul Verlaine, poet (b.1844).
• 26 February - Arsène Houssaye, novelist and poet (b.1815).
• 5 May - Auguste Sallé, traveller and entomologist (b.1820).
• 29 May - Gabriel Auguste Daubrée, geologist (b.1814).
• 26 June - Louis, Duke of Nemours, second son of King Louis-Philippe of France (b.1814).

July to December

• 10 July - Joseph-Christian-Ernest Bourret, Cardinal (b.1827).
• 16 July - Edmond de Goncourt, writer, critic and book publisher (b.1822).
• 18 September - Hippolyte Fizeau, physicist (b.1819).
• 7 October - Louis Jules Trochu, soldier and statesman (b.1815).
• 26 October - Paul-Armand Challemel-Lacour, statesman (b.1827).
• 17 December - Paul Arène, poet and writer (b.1843).

Full date unknown

• Élie-Abel Carrière, botanist (b.1818).

References