Greatest French people ever ?

[Maciamo]

René Descartes (31 March 1596 – 11 February 1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic. He has been dubbed the 'Father of Modern Philosophy', and much subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings, which are studied closely to this day.

At the age of eight, he entered the Jesuit Collège Royal Henry-Le-Grand at La Flèche. After graduation, he studied at the University of Poitiers, earning a Baccalauréat and Licence in law in 1616, in accordance with his father's wishes that he should become a lawyer.

In 1622 he returned to France, and during the next few years spent time in Paris and other parts of Europe. It was during a stay in Paris that he composed his first essay on method: Regulae at Directionem Ingenii (Rules for the Direction of the Mind). source

You might also want to check the works of Daniel C. Dennett, one of the foremost cognitive scientists, who took apart the Cartesian model opposing body and mind. He does this masterfully Consciousness Explained, Freedom Evolves and Sweet Dreams.

[Maciamo]

There is also John Calvin but as you know he was rather influential abroad than in France itself

Calling a religious figure great is tantamount to calling a criminal great.

[spongetaro]

Calling a religious figure great is tantamount to calling a criminal great.

What do you exactly mean by "Great"?

[Cimmerianbloke]

I couldn't vote, none of the choices listed make me think they are the greatest person France has ever spawned. As for Napoleon, he surely had a great impact on Europe (his code is still the basis for several European countries current laws), but as Thomas wrote, to half of Europe, he was just a warmonger. As for the great man who spread the Enlightenment ideas across Europe, I rather have the image of an imperialist opportunist who criss-crossed Europe to gain as much territory as possible. Ask any Spaniard how he is perceived in Spain... He definitely is one of the great characters in history, but so are Attila, Hitler and Stalin...

[spongetaro]

I am a direct descendant of him-his name was Timothe Demonbreun.

He is your ancestor on your mother side right? As you are R1b L21 scots modal, it would be surprising that it comes from France.

[Taharqa]

Louis XIV IMO