* Early Development: French evolved from Vulgar Latin spoken in the Frankish region of Gaul after the Roman Empire. It gradually gained prominence as the language of administration and prestige under the Frankish and later Capetian kings.
* Rise of the French Monarchy: During the Middle Ages, French became the language of the French court and, through its influence, spread throughout the kingdom.
* Formal Recognition: While there's no specific year when French was formally declared "official," its status became solidified through various events:
* 1539: King Francis I decreed that legal documents and official communications should be in French, a significant step in its officialization.
* 16th and 17th Centuries: The French Academy was established in 1635 to standardize the language, further cementing its position as the language of culture and power.
* Modern Era: French has been the official language of France since the French Revolution (1789) and remains so today.
Therefore, it's more accurate to say that French gradually gained official status through a series of events and developments over centuries rather than a specific year.