The King Louis XII of France died in 1515 and did not leave a son behind to inherit his throne, a milestone event in French history. The French Salic Law dictated that the throne could be inherited only by men directly connected to the king, who were known as "Princes of the Blood." According to this law, women and individuals related to the king through their mothers could not inherit the throne. Consequently, the crown passed to Louis XII's nephew, Francis I, who would have a profound impact on French culture, politics, and art.

Francis I ascended the throne, marking the start of the French Renaissance. He was a passionate lover of art, literature, and learning, and the foremost patron of the arts in France. Among his very best accomplishments was the founding of the Royal Library of France, which later grew to become the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, the national library of France. This library grew to be one of the most significant manuscript and printed work depositories in Europe. It reflected the king's dedication to maintaining and expanding the knowledge present within his kingdom. Francis I also assisted in introducing the Italian Renaissance works to France.

One of his most renowned accomplishments was to have had a relationship with Leonardo da Vinci, whom he summoned to the French court. Da Vinci lived the latter half of his life in France, generously provided for by the king. He brought some of his best pieces of artwork with him. Francis I is renowned for buying La Gioconda, or better known as the Mona Lisa, from Da Vinci. The amount paid at the time was the highest ever paid for a piece of artwork, speaking volumes about the king's enthusiasm for buying and displaying the best works available then.

The Mona Lisa went on to be one of the most famous paintings in history. Along with his art, Francis I's court was also a place where religion and ideas were debated. His sister, Marguerite de Angoulême, was a key thinker in early Protestantism. She was sympathetic to religious reform and helped bring about the intellectual atmosphere that would later influence the Protestant Reformation in France. Marguerite corresponded regularly with William Briconnet, Bishop of Meaux, who was open to reformist leanings. Briconnet introduced Marguerite to the doctrine of justification by faith a key Protestantism tenet that largely influenced her theology. Since Francis I favored the arts and Marguerite had religious affiliations, the French Renaissance expanded. It had a lasting effect on culture, religion, and thought.