A French Chilean (french: Franco-Chilien, es, franco-chileno) is a Chilean citizen of full or partial

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

ancestry. Between 1840 and 1940, 20,000 to 25,000 French people immigrated to Chile. The country received the fourth largest number of French immigrants to

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...

after

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

(239,000),

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

(150,341) and

Uruguay Uruguay (; ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( es, República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast; while bordering ...

(more than 25,000).

French immigration to Chile

The

came to Chile in the 18th century, arriving at Concepción as merchants, and in the mid-19th century to cultivate vines in the

haciendas An ''hacienda'' ( or ; or ) is an estate (or ''finca''), similar to a Roman ''latifundium'', in Spain and the former Spanish Empire. With origins in Andalusia, ''haciendas'' were variously plantations (perhaps including animals or orchards), ...

of the Central Valley, the homebase of world-famous

Chilean wine Chilean wine has a long history for a New World wine region, as it was the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought ''Vitis vinifera'' vines with them as they colonized the region. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties su ...

. The

Araucanía Region The Araucanía ( ), La Araucanía Region ( es, Región de La Araucanía ) is one of Chile's 16 first-order administrative divisions, and comprises two provinces: Malleco in the north and Cautín in the south. Its capital and largest city is Te ...

also has an important number of people of French ancestry, as the area hosted settlers arrived by the second half of the 19th century as farmers and shopkeepers. With akin Latin culture, the French immigrants quickly assimilated into mainstream Chilean society. From 1840 to 1940, around 25,000 Frenchmen immigrated to Chile. 80% of them were coming from Southwestern France, especially from Basses-Pyrénées ( Basque country and

Béarn The Béarn (; ; oc, Bearn or ''Biarn''; eu, Bearno or ''Biarno''; or ''Bearnia'') is one of the traditional provinces of France, located in the Pyrenees mountains and in the plain at their feet, in southwest France. Along with the three Bas ...

Gironde Gironde ( US usually, , ; oc, Gironda, ) is the largest department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of Southwestern France. Named after the Gironde estuary, a major waterway, its prefecture is Bordeaux. In 2019, it had a population of 1,62 ...

Charente-Inférieure Charente-Maritime () is a department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region on the southwestern coast of France. Named after the river Charente, its prefecture is La Rochelle. As of 2019, it had a population of 651,358 with an area of 6,864 square kilo ...

and

Charente Charente (; Saintongese: ''Chérente''; oc, Charanta ) is a department in the administrative region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, south western France. It is named after the river Charente, the most important and longest river in the department, an ...

and regions situated between Duran,

Gers Gers (; oc, Gers or , ) is a department in the region of Occitania, Southwestern France. Named after the Gers River, its inhabitants are called the ''Gersois'' and ''Gersoises'' in French. In 2019, it had a population of 191,377.

, and

Dordogne Dordogne ( , or ; ; oc, Dordonha ) is a large rural department in Southwestern France, with its prefecture in Périgueux. Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region roughly half-way between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees, it is named af ...

. Most of French immigrants settled in the country between 1875 and 1895. Between October 1882 and December 1897, 8,413 Frenchmen settled in Chile, making up 23% of immigrants (second only after Spaniards) from this period. In 1863, 2,650 French citizens were registered in Chile. At the end of the century they were almost 30,000. According to the census of 1865, out of 83,220 foreigners established in Chile, 6,483 were French, the third largest European community in the country after Germans and Englishmen. In 1875, the community reached 3,000 members, 12% of the almost 85,000 foreigners established in the country. It was estimated that 10,000 Frenchmen were living in Chile in 1912, 7% of the 149,400 Frenchmen living in Latin America. In World War II, a group of over 10,000 Chileans of French descent joined the

Free French Forces __NOTOC__ The French Liberation Army (french: Armée française de la Libération or AFL) was the reunified French Army that arose from the merging of the Armée d'Afrique with the prior Free French Forces (french: Forces françaises libres, l ...

and fought the

Nazi Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in ...

occupation of

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. Today it is estimated that 800,000 Chileans are of French descent.Parvex R. (2014).
Le Chili et les mouvements migratoires
', Hommes & migrations, Nº 1305, 2014. doi
10.4000/hommesmigrations.2720
/small>. Former president of Chile,

Michelle Bachelet Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria (; born 29 September 1951) is a Chilean politician who served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2022. She previously served as President of Chile from 2006 to 2010 and 2014 to 201 ...

is of French origin. Former dictator

Augusto Pinochet Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte (, , , ; 25 November 1915 – 10 December 2006) was a Chilean general who ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990, first as the leader of the Military Junta of Chile from 1973 to 1981, being declared President of ...

is another Chilean of French descent. A large percentage of politicians, businessmen, professionals and entertainers in the country are of French ancestry.

Legacy

French painter

Raymond Monvoisin '' 200px, Portrait of Andrés Bello '' Raymond Auguste Quinsac Monvoisin (May 31, 1790 – March 26, 1870) was a French artist and painter. Biography Monvoisin was born in Bordeaux. Although he initiated a career in the military by indication o ...

lived in Chile from 1842 to 1854 and founded the Academy of Fine Arts of Santiago. French architect François Brunet de Baines founded the city's first school of architecture.

Prominent French Chileans

Andrés Allamand Andrés Allamand Zavala (born February 7, 1956), a Chilean politician, is the founder and one of the past leaders of Renovación Nacional. He is of French, and Basque descent. On January 14, 2011 he was named Minister of Defense by president Se ...

, politician and Minister of Defense (2011-2012) *

Alberto Bachelet Alberto Arturo Miguel Bachelet Martínez (; 27 April 1923 – 13 March 1974) was a Chilean Brigadier General of the Chilean Air Force. He opposed the 1973 coup of General Augusto Pinochet, and was imprisoned and subject to torture for several mon ...

, Air Force General and father of Michelle Bachelet *

, twice President of Chile and former head of

UN Women The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, is a United Nations entity working for gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women advocates for the rights of women and girls, and focu ...

* Gonzalo Barroilhet, decathlete. *

Bartolomé Blanche Bartolomé Guillermo Blanche Espejo (June 6, 1879 – June 10, 1970) was a Chilean military officer and provisional president of Chile in 1932. Life He was born in La Serena, Coquimbo Region, where he completed his early studies. Later, he was ...

, Army General and provisional President of Chile (1932) * Vivianne Blanlot, politician and former Minister of Defense (2006-2007) * María Luisa Bombal Anthes, writer *

Eduardo Bonvallet Eduardo Guillermo Bonvallet Godoy (13 January 1955 – 18 September 2015) was a Chilean footballer who played as a defensive midfielder and later developed a sportscasting career. He was best known for his strong and rather harsh commentaries ...

, former football player and sports commentator *

Jorge Boonen General Jorge Boonen Rivera (April 16, 1858 – December 6, 1921) was a Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to An ...

Marta Brunet Marta Brunet (August 9, 1897 in Chillán, Chile – October 27, 1967 in Montevideo), was a Chilean writer. She was a recipient of the National Prize for Literature. Life and work She was the only child of Ambrosio Brunet Molina and his ...

, writer *

César Caillet César Caillet Álvarez is a Chilean actor (born 9 January 1974 in Temuco), studied in the Instituto chileno-francés of the city of Temuco. Graduated with a law degree, knowing that he would not pursue his degree, dedicated himself to acting. He ...

, actor * Alfredo Capdeville Soto, actor and cast in famous film Golondrina 1924 *

Paul Capdeville Paul Gerard Capdeville Castro (; born 2 April 1983) is a Chilean former tennis player. He was born in Santiago. Tennis career In May 2009, he achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 76. At the 2006 French Open, Capdeville had a s ...

, tennis player *

Adolfo Couve Adolfo Couve Rioseco (March 28, 1940 – March 11, 1998) was a Chilean artist and writer. Couve was born in Valparaíso, Chile, the first child of three. In his first years, he lived in Llay-Llay and then moved with his family to Santiago. He e ...

* Cristián de la Fuente Sabarots, actor * Hugo Droguett, football player *

Alberto Fouilloux Alberto Jorge Fouillioux Ahumada (22 November 1940 – 23 June 2018) was a Chilean football midfielder and striker who earned 70 caps and scored 12 goals for the Chile national team during his career. Career Fouillioux made his debut for Uni ...

, former football player and sports commentator * Eduardo Fournier *

Alberto Fuguet Alberto Felipe Fuguet de Goyeneche (; born 7 March 1963) is a Chilean author, journalist, film critic and film director who rose to critical prominence in the 1990s as part of the movement known as the New Chilean Narrative. Although he was bo ...

, writer *

Augusto d'Halmar Augusto Goemine Thomson, who adopted the pseudonym Augusto d’Halmar (April 23, 1882 – January 27, 1950) was a Chilean writer who earned the ''National Prize for Literature'' in 1942. D’Halmar was the son of Auguste Goemine, a French navi ...

, writer *

Lucía Hiriart María Lucía Hiriart Rodríguez (10 December 1923 – 16 December 2021), also known as Lucía Hiriart de Pinochet, was married to former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. Early life and education Hiriart was born into a wealthy family in An ...

, former First Lady of Chile (1973-1990) *

Francisca Imboden Francisca María Imboden Fernández, (born July 31, 1971) is a Chilean actress (film, theater and television). Francisca is the daughter of Juan Carlos Imboden and María Isabel Fernández. Together with her sisters Catalina and Ignacia, she stu ...

, actress *

Manuel Jacques Manuel Jacques Parraguez, is a Chilean lawyer, academic and politician. He is President of the '' Izquierda Cristiana'' (Christian Left Party of Chile) and a professor at the Universidad Bolivariana de Chile.Manuel Jacques Parraguez (2002), "Baj ...

, politician *

Aline Küppenheim Aline Adriana Küppenheim Gualtieri (born 10 August 1969) is a Chilean actress. Biography and career Born to a French father and a Chilean mother, Kuppenheim spent his early years traveling around different parts of Europe as a result of his ...

, actress *

Enrique Lafourcade Enrique Eduardo Lafourcade Valdenegro (14 October 1927 – 29 July 2019) was a Chileans, Chilean writer, critic and journalist from Santiago. Biography Lafourcade was a member of the so-called "Generation of the 50s", a term suggested by Lafou ...

, writer * Denisse Laval Soza, aka Nicole, singer *

Isabel Le Brun de Pinochet Isabel Le Brun de Pinochet (''née'' Le Brun Reyes; bapt. 27 November 1845 – 25 June 1930), was a Chilean educationalist who led reform of education for girls in Chile. Le Brun was born in San Felipe, Chile to French emigrant Jean-Baptis ...

Juan Carlos Letelier Juan Carlos Letelier Pizarro (born 20 May 1959 in Valparaíso) is a former football striker from Chile, who was nicknamed "Pato" and/or "Lete". He played for his native country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. He played 57 times for his ...

Orlando Letelier Marcos Orlando Letelier del Solar (13 April 1932 – 21 September 1976) was a Chilean economist, politician and diplomat during the presidency of Salvador Allende. A refugee from the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, Letelier ...

René Letelier René Letelier Martner (1915–2006) was a Chilean chess player with the title of International Master. His finest international tournament win was in 1954, when he took the UNESCO tournament in Montevideo as clear first ahead of joint Ossip Be ...

Fernando Martel Fernando Patricio Martel Helo (born 2 October 1975) is a Chilean former footballer who played as a midfielder. International career Martel represented Chile at under-20 level in the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship. At senior level, he made 1 ...

, football player * Evelyn Matthei Fornet, politician and Minister of Labour (2011–13) *

Josefina Montané Josefina is a female name, a feminine form of Joseph (name), Joseph. It may refer to: *Josefina Passadori, Argentine writer *Josefina Lopez, Chicana playwright *Josefina Pla, Spanish poet, playwright, art critic, painter and journalist *Josefina A ...

, model and actress *

Cecilia Morel María Cecilia Morel Montes (born 14 January 1954) is the wife of the former President of Chile Sebastián Piñera, and as such is the former First Lady of Chile. Morel was also the Director of the Sociocultural Area of the Presidency during bot ...

, First Lady of Chile (2010–14 and since 2018) *

Alfredo Moreno Charme Alfredo Moreno Charme (born August 4, 1956) is a Chilean diplomat and politician. Charme was born in Valparaíso, Chile. He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile under President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporat ...

, businessman and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2010–14) * Maite Orsini Pascal, model and actress *

Manuel José Ossandón Manuel José Ossandón Irarrázabal, colloquially "Cote Ossandón", (born Viña del Mar, Región de Valparaíso, 24 August 1962) is an agricultural technician and a senator of Chile for the 8th Senatorial District. He was elected during the parlia ...

, politician and Senator *

Nicole Perrot Nicole Perrot (born 26 December 1983) is a Chilean professional golfer. She is the first Chilean-born player to win on the LPGA Tour. Perrot was born in Viña del Mar, Chile. She won the 2001 U.S. Girls' Junior and was runner-up at the U.S. Wom ...

, golf player * Magdalena Petit, writer *

, Army General and military dictator (1973-1990) *

Lucía Pinochet Inés Lucía Pinochet Hiriart (born 14 December 1943) is the eldest daughter of former Chile's President Augusto Pinochet and Lucía Hiriart de Pinochet. She was a councilor for the municipality of Vitacura, from 2008 until 2012. Biography Sh ...

, politician *

Belus Prajoux Belus Prajoux Nadjar (born 27 February 1955) is a retired professional tennis player from Chile. Prajoux won six doubles titles on the ATP Tour during his career. He reached a highest doubles ranking of No. 17 in July 1982. He was a member of th ...

, tennis player *

Jaime Ravinet Jaime Ravinet de la Fuente (born 17 October 1946), is a Chilean politician, lawyer, academic and businessman. From 1990 to 2000 he was Mayor of Santiago, before becoming the Minister for Housing, Urban Planning and National Property in 2001, a p ...

, politician * Manuel Recabarren Rencoret *

Francisco Reyes Morandé Eugenio Francisco Reyes Morandé (born July 6, 1954, in Santiago) is a Chilean television, theatre and film actor. He made his debut in the year 1989 in the series ''Sor Teresa de Los Andes'' on TVN. Notable performances include those with Chil ...

, actor * Álvaro Rudolphy Fontaine, actor * René Schneider Chereau, Army General * Juan Subercaseaux * Luis Subercaseaux *

Anita Tijoux Anamaría Tijoux Merino (; born 12 June 1977), commonly known by her stage name Ana Tijoux or Anita Tijoux, is a Chilean-French singer and musician. She became famous in Latin America as the MC of hip-hop group Makiza during the late 1990s. In ...

, singer, rapper * Gabriel Valdés Subercaseaux, politician *

Manuel Camilo Vial Manuel Camilo Agustín Vial Formas (March 20, 1804 – February 20, 1882) was a Chilean political figure and conservative politician. He served several times as minister. Early life and family He was born in Valparaíso Valparaíso (; ) is a m ...

Roberto Viaux Roberto Urbano Viaux Marambio (May 25, 1917 in Talca – September 5, 2005 in Santiago) was a Chilean Army General and the primary planner of two attempted coup d'états in Chile in 1969 and 1970. The first was against President Eduardo Frei ...

, Army officer *

Ramón Vinay Ramón Vinay (August 31, 1911 – January 4, 1996) was a famous Chilean operatic tenor with a powerful, dramatic voice. He is probably best remembered for his appearances in the title role of Giuseppe Verdi's tragic opera '' Otello''. Biography ...

, operatic tenor

References

External links

* https://web.archive.org/web/20090120174243/http://membres.lycos.fr/emigrationchili/emigracion%20cl.htm (in Spanish and French) {{French diaspora European Chilean

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...

French immigration to Chile

Legacy

Prominent French Chileans

See also

References

External links