When was the last decisive military victory in a major conflict achieved by France?

Are you speaking of France alone or as the clearly dominant member of a coalition, or of France as a major contributor to a coalition?

The latter has an easy answer - Libya, 2011. France was the leader in that conflict, having been the country that really pushed for the intervention and then conducted some 20% of all air sorties during the conflict (if I remember correctly), a similar figure to that of Britain, the United States, and Canada, and conducted the very first air strikes of the war (destroying loyalist tanks and vehicles near Benghazi). This was a major international conflict, involving most of NATO and having taken significant diplomatic efforts with the rest of the Arab world, Russia, and China. It wasn't a massive war, but it was important.

Other conflicts of this sort include Kosovo, Bosnia, the Gulf War, the Battle of Kolwezi in Zaire, the Suez Crisis, the First World War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Austro-Sardinian War, and the Crimean War.

Of the former, one must consider when France ceased to be a superpower. The last significant French victory (where France was the leader or on its own) was probably Napoleon's defeat of Austria in 1809. However, Napoleon's conquests were probably not sustainable in the long term. Before that, I'd argue the War of the Austrian Succession.

One must remember that France's military golden age came and went many years ago, and France has not enjoyed military supremacy in Europe for at least 150 years, and wars in Europe tend to become general wars. France has spent much of her history fighting off most of Europe, sometimes all at once, and generally coming out ahead.

"World War I ended in an armistice, not an actual decisive conclusion"

That's just rhetoric, it's still considered a major victory.

France also technically won WW2, but considering France's early defeat and occupation I can understand what you mean.

Anyway, the Lybian War would be considered the latest French military victory.

Since this potentially smells like another moronic "France never wins wars alone" claim (I apologize if it isn't) I will just say that wars not won through coalitions are very very very rare, and that France is actually kind of the European specialist of one-against-everybody victories.

I always laugh when some American and British morons start claiming "WW1 cannot be considered a victory because France didn't fight alone" even though that means it cannot count as a victory for the US and Britain either ;)

You are incorrect about France surrendering in WW 2 France ad the British had a mutual defense treaty with Poland Germany invaded Poland they had to declare war on Germany but really did nothing the Brits sent in troops into France who really just stood around for 8 months in fact one U S congressman said ''there is something phony about this war'' [no fighting] thus the ''phony war'' Germany invaded France and in days the Brits retreated out of there [Dunkirk] the French covered their retreat [fight on brave lads]

The French did win a victory in WW 2 the Japanese give permission for Thailand to attack the French Navy off the Cambodia they were both allies of Japan the French defeated the Thailand Navy\

You down there the attempted take over of the Suez Canal by the French,British , and Israel was sure not a victory the President of the U S ,Ike, got wind of it and stopped it he told the Brits he would release the warehouse full of British pounds they were storing to keep it from becoming worthless pulled out without consulting with the frogs

You talk of French victory in the gulf war oh sweet Jesus that is not worth a reply

we actual won WW2 with suggestions from the British, Soviets (no longer Russians), and approximately 60 different international places. of direction in case you % to seem on the full conflict i might say we incredibly lots exceeded a defeat to Japan interior the Pacific Theater, and the Soviets did the brunt of the artwork interior the ecu Theater. the united kingdom survived simply by fact Hitler grew to become his interest to the Soviets in the previous ending off the British. So i might say the rustic and u.s. have been those to blame for the Victory in WW2. All different countries helped out. As for conflicts we've won soley on our own, call one usa in present day historic previous that has won a conflict on their very own devoid of suggestions from others. the US had France's help interior the present day conflict on the tip. conflict of 1812 is seen a draw, however the victory is frequently given to the rustic reason the united kingdom gave up. i've got self belief we beat the Mexicans and Spanish incredibly actual. Civil conflict, properly can't count quantity reason we fought ourselves, however the united kingdom helped the south. WW1 all and sundry replaced into allied. Korea replaced right into a UN project. Vietnam we won each and every militia engagement. desolate tract hurricane, the US led coalition Liberated Kuwait. In Iraq and Afghanistan are there new governments in place and the previous ones have been overthrown. i've got self belief sure. So tell me have been we lost those? Grenada replaced right into a rescue project no longer a conflict. Edit: To Ringo Starr, of direction Fish the poster has hit a nerve with this post. to assert the US militia is dumb and ineffective has no validity. each and every agressor simply by fact the rustic's existance has been defeated with suggestions from an alliance of oppenents. So no the rustic has no longer long gone head to head with say Germany in WW2, yet neither did the U.S., France, or the united kingdom. the closest woud be the eastern interior the WW2, whilst the united kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand helped a majority of the scuffling with replaced into with suggestions from the US army and Marines.

Gulf War 1991 over Iraq. Algeria a defeat? More a political change. You skipped Suez in 1956. Not sure you would call it "Major?"

Probably 1066 with William the Conqueror. :)