1581 in France

Events from the year 1581 in France

Incumbents

 * Monarch – Henry III

Full date missing

 * Jean du Vergier de Hauranne, Catholic priest (died 1643)
 * Claude Bouthillier, statesman (died 1652)
 * Claude Gaspard Bachet de Méziriac, mathematician, linguist and poet (died 1638)
 * Jean-Baptiste d'Ornano, nobleman and Marshall of France (died 1626)
 * Achille Harlay de Sancy, diplomat (died 1646)
 * Clément Métezeau, engineer (died 1652)
 * Jean Chalette (baptised 27 December), painter (died 1643)

Deaths

 * 6 September – Guillaume Postel, linguist (born 1510)

Full date missing

 * Odet de Turnèbe, dramatist (born 1552)
 * Georgette de Montenay (born 1540)