French Republic

France has held a central position in the Brazilian cultural, intellectual and institutional development. Its political, philosophical, and religious ideas, as well as school, university and military references have contributed to the development of these fields in Brazil. It is no coincidence, therefore, that both societies have their roots in democratic values and human rights.

Besides the historical ties, the two countries also share a land border of more than 700km of extension, located between Amapá and the French Department of Guiana - with potential for larger integration of the northern arc of the South American continent.

Bilateral relations were raised to the level of strategic partnership in 2006. The Franco-Brazilian Strategic Partnership Action Plan, adopted in 2008, focused on axes such as political dialogue and international governance; economic and commercial relations; cooperation in the areas of defense, space, nuclear energy, sustainable development; fields of education, languages, science and technology; migratory and cross-border issues; and joint action in third countries, particularly in Africa.

The partnership with France in the strategic and defense sectors is the strongest expression of the determination of the two countries to build a mutually beneficial association of a special nature. The two major submarine and helicopter construction programs, as well as cooperation in the space and supercomputer sectors, have become emblematic.

Cooperation in the fields of science, technology and innovation is another relevant aspect of bilateral relations. Both countries have advanced technology parks and joint projects for the development of new technologies that generate competitive advantages for companies in both countries. The exchange of students and researchers between the two countries has traditionally been extensive.

France supports the expansion of the UN Security Council in both categories of membership, including a permanent seat for Brazil. The country is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council and also ranks sixth among the world's largest economies. It is an important partner of Brazil in issues regarding peace and security, disarmament and non-proliferation, human rights, trade, finance, sustainable development and the environment.

France is an important trading partner of Brazil. In 2019, the bilateral trade flow exceeded $6 billion. The country was the 36th main customer of Brazil and the 24th main supplier. The presence of French companies in the Brazilian economy is important in a wide range of productive sectors. There are 890 companies with at least 10% of French share capital installed in Brazil, including 38 of the CAC 40 (the index that includes the 40 largest publicly traded companies listed on the Paris Stock Exchange). The stock of French investments in the country is estimated at $34 billion, covering sectors such as retail trade, electricity, telecommunications, automobiles, food, metallurgy and information technology.

The Consulate General of Brazil in Paris tallies about 107 thousand Brazilians residing in France.

Chronology of bilateral relations

2019 – The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian visits Brazil (July 29)

2019 – President Jair Bolsonaro and President Emmanuel Macron meet on the sidelines of the 14th G-20 Summit Meeting (Osaka, June 28)

2019 – Minister Ernesto Araújo travels to Paris, where he holds a working meeting with the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian (24 May)

2019 – Informal meeting between Presidents Jair Bolsonaro and Emmanuel Macron, on the margin of the G20 summit in Japan, on June 28.

2018 – Launch of the submarine Riachuelo, built in partnership with France through the PROSUB project (December 14)

2018 – The Secretary General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France visits Brazil (June 3-6)

2017 – Inauguration of the bridge over the Oiapoque River, between Brazil and French Guiana

2017 – Minister Aloysio Nunes visits Paris, occasion when he holds a working meeting with the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Yves Le Drian (August 28)

2016 – President François Hollande visits Rio de Janeiro, on the occasion of the Olympic Games

2016 – Minister Mauro Vieira meets with French Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius on the sidelines of the International Conference to Support Syria and the Region, in London (February 4)

2015 – President Dilma Rousseff visits Paris, on the occasion of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – COP21 (November 30)

2015 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France, Laurent Fabius, visits Brasilia (November 22)

2015 – Minister Mauro Vieira visits Paris, occasion when he holds working meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France, Laurent Fabius (June 3)

2014 – Minister Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado visits Paris (March 19)

2013 – State Visit of the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, to Brasilia (December 12)

2012 – President Dilma Rousseff visits France

2011 – Prime-Minister François Fillon visits Brazil

2009 – Year of France in Brazil, visits of President Lula to France and of President Sarkozy to Brazil

2008 – Brazil-France Strategic Partnership Action Plan is signed, on the occasion of the visit of President Nicolas Sarkozy to Brazil; Presidents Lula and Sarkozy meet in the French Guyana.

2006 – Launch of Brazil-France Strategic Partnership, on the occasion of the visit of President Jacques Chirac to Brazil

2005 – Year of Brazil in France; President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visits France

2003 – Participation of Brazil, upon invitation of France, in the G8 Summit, in Evian

2001 – President Fernando Henrique Cardoso visits  France; Prime-Minister Lionel Jospin visits Brazil

1997 – President Jacques Chirac visits Brazil (March)

1964 – President Charles de Gaulle visits Brazil

1959 – House of Brazil (Casa do Brasil) is established on the campus of the University of Paris

1934 – University of São Paulo is founded, with the support of the French academic mission

1920-39 – French military mission to Brazil

1900 – Arbitration on the border of Brazil and France

1826 – Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Brazil and France

1825 – Recognition of the Independence of Brazil by France

1816 – French Artistic mission to Brazil

1809-17 – Luso-Brazilian occupation of French Guiana

1612-15 – French occupation of present-day Maranhão (Equinoctial France)

1555-60 – French occupation of present-day Rio de Janeiro (Antarctic France)