France is a Kingdom in Western Europe during the Renaissance. Ruled by the House of Valois, it is one of the most powerful European states, and is the largest, most populous and agriculturally productive kingdom in Western Europe. It is bordered in the south by the Kingdom of Spain and the minor Kingdom of Navarre (a French vassal), and bordered in the west by the Duchy of Savoy in Italy, and the Holy Roman Empire and Burgundy in Germany and the Low Countries. It is across the English Channel from England.
France's King Francis acts as a foil to England's King Henry VIII throughout the series; they are sometimes friends, while at others they are enemies. However, France is more often at war with Spain and the Holy Roman Empire (both ruled by the Habsburg Emperor Charles V) over their claims to the Duchy of Birgundy and several minor territories in Italy. France's feud against the Habsburg Empire grows to such an extent that, despite being a Catholic country, they are willing to pursue alliance with both Protestants (within the German States of the Holy Roman Empire) and Muslims (the Ottoman Empire).