Painting holidays in France Through time, many French people have excelled in the fields of politics, science and art. His thoughts, discoveries, passions and creations have provided a rich heritage of France, diversified and famous worldwide. His influences have crossed the borders of France. So now, many museums all over France paid tribute to these famous characters. Descartes, Charles de Gaulle or Victor Hugo are only some of the big names that have marked the history of France.