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| 1996, Jan. 29 |
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| Chirac announced the end to France's nuclear testing. | 1 |
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| 1997, April 21 |
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| Chirac dissolved the lower chamber of the French Parliament and announced elections. This was seen as a measure to solidify and affirm French support of the upcoming EU currency. On June 3 French leftist parties won the elections. Socialist leader Lionel Jospin took office as premier. The extreme right party National Front also recorded gains. | 2 |
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| 1998, Feb. 27 |
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| France, Finland, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands reported qualifying economic statistics for the EU's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Six other countries had economic reports strong enough to probably be eligible to join in the implementation of the euro in 1999. | 3 |
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| July 1–16 |
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| France hosted the World Cup soccer tournament; the French team won the world title for the first time in tournament history, with a multiracial team. | 4 |
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