Designing France for Civ VII

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

I guess these are self explanatory by now. How would you want France designed for Civ VII?

I'll start out by saying I personally want Louis XIV to return.

His ability can be Versailles and be similar to Magnificent Catherine. Though instead of a Theater Square his ability can trigger at his capital or any city that has a Chateau. I'd also want it to deal with amenities/happiness.

UU: The Musketeer can return and any promoted unit can use a charge to create a great work.

Unique Improvement: Chateau which can be similar to Civ 6's design. I'd also be willing to do an Exposition Hall while the Chateau can be Louis XIV's unique improvement.

Civ Ability: Conseil du Roi- France gains access to a unique governor, Principle Ministre, at the start of the Medieval Era. Governors in your cities placed within six tiles of another civ's city gains extra diplomatic visibility.

I wouldn't mind Napoleon to come back either with a more militaristic ability as an alternate leader with his Imperial Garde UU.

Edit: I decided to change it up a bit. Giving France a unique governor with varying promotions tying to espionage/diplomacy, religious and economic bonuses makes them more versatile.

 

[Xandinho]

I'd like to see more of France than wonder builder. Any bonuses for religion? or maybe France should get tourism from buildings that give culture and faith? Amphitheaters, museums, temples...
I wouldn't mind if they went to a more militaristic France in Civ7, as long as they don't completely forget their cultural aspects. Another thing, in my ideal world, I always thought that each Chateau should give +0.5 influence points per turn.

 

[Zaarin]

Leader: Henri IV: Edict of Nantes: Foreign religions only exert 25% pressure on your cities, but followers of foreign religions in your cities have half the usual happiness penalty. Religious buildings grant half their faith in Gold.
Civ Ability: City of Lights: All buildings and great works in Paris generate 300% tourism; Wonders and Districts in Paris are built 15% faster. Districts already built in Paris are built 20% faster in other cities.
UI: Abbé: Can only be built once per city, cannot be built adjacent to a district; grants +1 Housing, +2 Faith, +1 Culture, +1 Science, +1 Industry, +1 Gold; grants Tourism after researching Flight; +1 Culture, +1 Gold if built next to a Plantation, +1 Food per two adjacent Farms, +1 Industry and +1 Science per two adjacent Mines and Quarries, +1 Faith and +1 Culture if built next to a Mountain, +1 Faith and +1 Culture per two adjacent unimproved Forest tiles, +1 Food per adjacent Camp.
UU: Um.......Chevalier?

So I wanted a more religious/cultural/economic France centered on le bon roi Henri IV. His civ is designed around having a brilliant capital with other cities encouraged to be more rural and provincial in order to benefit from the Abbé unique improvement.

 

[jsciv69]

France

Leader: Georges Clemenceau
Elected twice as Prime Minister. The second time at the close of WWI. During the War he made the quote "We present ourselves before you with the single thought of total war". Clemenceau helped bolster morale during the dark times of the Great War. At the close of the conflict Clemenceau was called Père la Victoire ("Father of Victory") or Le Tigre ("The Tiger"). Clemenceau was instrumental during the Paris Peace Conference. Resulting in the Treaty of Versailles.

Unique Units: Chauchat(Great War machine Gun unit), Schneider CA1(Battle Tank)

 

[BuchiTaton]

What about the French Légion Étrangère as UU?
It could be a powerfull infantry industrial unit recruited from immgrants.

 

[jsciv69]

What about the French Légion Étrangère as UU?
It could be a powerfull infantry industrial unit recruited from immgrants.

Yes indeed the Legion was very active during WWI, Another unit to consider would be the Morane-Saulnier L WWI Fighter aircraft

 

[Lord of War N02]

My Design for France

Leader: Francis I
Unique Unit 1: Gendarme
Unique Unit 2: Poilu (Infantry) Based on WW1 Infantry
Unique Infrastructure: Salon (Science district)

I think Francis I can lead France but other choices for French leaders such as Philip Augustus, Henry IV and Louis IX are also other good candidates. Gendarme should be French unique unit this time and Poilu based on WW1 Infantry also should be another unique unit for France.

 

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

I guess these are self explanatory by now. How would you want France designed for Civ VII?

I'll start out by saying I personally want Louis XIV to return.

His ability can be Versailles and be similar to Magnificent Catherine. Though instead of a Theater Square his ability can trigger at his capital or any city that has a Chateau. I'd also want it to deal with amenities/happiness.

UU: The Musketeer can return and any promoted unit can use a charge to create a great work.

Unique Improvement: Chateau which can be similar to Civ 6's design. I'd also be willing to do an Exposition Hall while the Chateau can be Louis XIV's unique improvement.

I don't have any concrete ideas for a civ ability. Religion or gold focused could be interesting considering everything seems to deal with culture, which can still help if we go off of Civ 6's design of recruiting great people.

I wouldn't mind Napoleon to come back either with a more militaristic ability as an alternate leader, or a Cardinal Richelieu with a more religious/espionage focus.

While i'm really tempted to see Louis XIV to return.

I consider different candidates as well.
1. Henry IV. Founder of Bourbon Dynasty. ironically he is the only Protestant king (later converted to Catholicism) who tried to keep both camps of Christian together. eventually the two different Christians couldn't coexists in France and he too fell victim to the Catholics VS Protestants--assassinated by a catholic fanatic. (If France under his leadership found a religion. it will be Protestantism, (or more precisely Calvinism, as Hugernote being French variants before his successors became Catholics and undo much of his attempts to keep the two camps getting along which eventually forced the Hugernote to leave France entirely, one of many of their destinations included what's now South Africa. While the actual hatred between the two camps had died out by 1850s or 1900s in Europe, the enemity were more or less alive elsewhere for some time and I guess in the ZAR as the the two 'old enemies' allied with two different political enemies there; Protestants--particularly the Calvinists and including Hugernote supported White Supremacists government (Not sure if they had problems converting natives), The Catholics opposed the Apartheid (For a good reason particularly to draw more Native Africans into their Church) to the point that Pope John Paul II intended not to visit ZAR during his Continental Africa tour in 80s ) which made enemities between two camps 'active')
He's more memorized as a person who's seriously sponsorized colonizations of Americas.
UU: Colonial Marines: Can only be trained on an oversea continent not of home countries. Infantry class, and can 'self upgrade' once techs became available. Also available for free once the said oversea settlement is founded (Similiar to Vick's Pax Brittanica)
2. Francis I.
UU: Gendarme (Knight replacements: actually one of the first 'standing army' in Europe since the fall of Roman Empire)
3. Charles VII (The Well Served).
King of France who's overshadowed by his would be saint little peasant girl. But his deed is no less significant to Joan's campaigns against English 'Usurpers' and actually he sent her to fame. He's known to be the earliest persons in Europe since Roman Empire to form a standing 'Professional Army' and also consolidating powers in process--depraving lesser overlords a right to raise an army. This came from a painful experiences of both unreliable Knight classes, inefficient peasant levy, and unruly mercenaries. eventually he made Ordonnance army made of any mercs available with an offer to 'serve as full time professional soldier' or liquidated, he did manage to gather some into his new army and tested them against mercs who decline his offer first, then against English and their alliances.
Ability: Compaigne d'Ordonnances (Quarter a unit costs and trainings.. mmm not sure)
UU: Ordonnance Infantry. (can't really think of a good name but was a unit he tested against unruly mercs and later English), OR "Field Culverin" (Wrought iron cannon with trunions that availables earlier than usual)

(I'm not sure if Castillon is the first place where field guns with trunions were first saw any use in addition to tiller fieldguns?)

Regardless of whoever is leading...
1. No "Mousquetaire du Roi" as generic UU. Louis XIV may have this unit, fine. but this unit wasn't portrayed correctly in any Civ games since Civ3 to 5. In all iterations they were 'Musketman' replacements (which in 1UPT rule a Pseudo unit, and even with stacking rules too! particularly with pikeman can upgrade to this unit!!), always footsloggers with matchlock guns. always superior, and ALWAYS WEAR their signature uniform!!! In truth they're a fraction of French Military Might. They might be used in actual battle as a kind of dual purpose light cavalry and even in offensive actions like sieges in the same manner as grenadiers BUT. They NEVER WERE 'Infantry' unit. What F'xis called 'Musketeer' is actually a portrayal of 'Le Blanc' Infantry regiments, which were numerous. @Boris Gudenuf can fill me more on this but what I knew is that they began as Pike&Shot.
IF Louis XIV wants this unit a UU. it will NOT replace any existing generic units but instead have limit unit counts
2. Also NO Imperial Guard as generic UU. Same reason as above. subject to unit limit counts. If Napoleon I (or III) wants one, he can only have these with limited numbers at a time
3. And i'm not really agree with Poliu as a UU either. They ain't no better than anyone else Infantrymen in WW1. (And none of any Infantry were a separate unit to Machinegunners. F'xis should be reminded of this!). BUT if FT-17 will be their UU as something that will later upgraded to Medium Tank. fine.

 

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

France

Leader: Georges Clemenceau
Elected twice as Prime Minister. The second time at the close of WWI. During the War he made the quote "We present ourselves before you with the single thought of total war". Clemenceau helped bolster morale during the dark times of the Great War. At the close of the conflict Clemenceau was called Père la Victoire ("Father of Victory") or Le Tigre ("The Tiger"). Clemenceau was instrumental during the Paris Peace Conference. Resulting in the Treaty of Versailles.

Unique Units: Chauchat(Great War machine Gun unit), Schneider CA1(Battle Tank)

Why are you so tempting to keep MG a separate unit to Infantry? MGs served better as Tech Upgrades to any units and they NEVER WERE a separate unit. Also Chauchats were amongs the suckers Automatic Rifles (it might be an MG but designed with offensive capability in mind. at that time Suppressive Fire is discovered--an important MG ability to use as offensive weapons--to pin enemy down (particularly point-defense weapon emplacements like enemy MGs) so any assault infantry can flank charge them. France even tossed Chauchats by 1921 in favor of more reliable LMGs and Automatic rifles (which now known as Squad Automatic Weapons--SAW)

Actually Benet Mercie-designed MGs (AKA Hotchkiss, after a manufacturer) which designed much earlier were much much more reliables and more favored by French military, and evenmore so in export markets as Italy and Japan license produced these MGs.

the CA1 was the FIRST 'tracked AFV' made as motorized Helepolis that saw actual combat. but they ain't not that good though. I'm more on FT17 actually

 

[jsciv69]

Why are you so tempting to keep MG a separate unit to Infantry? MGs served better as Tech Upgrades to any units and they NEVER WERE a separate unit. Also Chauchats were amongs the suckers Automatic Rifles (it might be an MG but designed with offensive capability in mind. at that time Suppressive Fire is discovered--an important MG ability to use as offensive weapons--to pin enemy down (particularly point-defense weapon emplacements like enemy MGs) so any assault infantry can flank charge them. France even tossed Chauchats by 1921 in favor of more reliable LMGs and Automatic rifles (which now known as Squad Automatic Weapons--SAW)

Actually Benet Mercie-designed MGs (AKA Hotchkiss, after a manufacturer) which designed much earlier were much much more reliables and more favored by French military, and evenmore so in export markets as Italy and Japan license produced these MGs.

the CA1 was the FIRST 'tracked AFV' made as motorized Helepolis that saw actual combat. but they ain't not that good though. I'm more on FT17 actually

I was looking for whatever was used primarily during the War. Perhaps The Chaucaht can be part of a Unique Great War Infantry unit. Maybe include a WWI French Fighter Aircraft. I think the French Foreign Legion played a role.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Another thing, in my ideal world, I always thought that each Chateau should give +0.5 influence points per turn.

I was surprised they didn't give it housing. I mean it's literally a large manor.

1. No "Mousquetaire du Roi" as generic UU. Louis XIV may have this unit, fine. but this unit wasn't portrayed correctly in any Civ games since Civ3 to 5. In all iterations they were 'Musketman' replacements (which in 1UPT rule a Pseudo unit, and even with stacking rules too! particularly with pikeman can upgrade to this unit!!), always footsloggers with matchlock guns. always superior, and ALWAYS WEAR their signature uniform!!! In truth they're a fraction of French Military Might. They might be used in actual battle as a kind of dual purpose light cavalry and even in offensive actions like sieges in the same manner as grenadiers BUT. They NEVER WERE 'Infantry' unit. What F'xis called 'Musketeer' is actually a portrayal of 'Le Blanc' Infantry regiments, which were numerous. @Boris Gudenuf can fill me more on this but what I knew is that they began as Pike&Shot.
IF Louis XIV wants this unit a UU. it will NOT replace any existing generic units but instead have limit unit counts

I don't particularly care about the military might or strength of the UU in relation to history when picking one out. My idea was if they were to be highly promoted they could create a Great Work so I thinking more along the lines of them helping toward a culture victory. Think of Alexandre Dumas writing The Three Musketeers, which is honestly why the unit is so famous in the first place.

2. Also NO Imperial Guard as generic UU. Same reason as above. subject to unit limit counts. If Napoleon I (or III) wants one, he can only have these with limited numbers at a time

I agree with this, but only because it could come with Napoleon himself.

 

[Evie]

If the Musketeers are in as a leader unit, then give us Louis XIII (with Richelieu as a unique minister) or, simplifying things, Richelieu himself as the leader. While they existed in Louis XIV's reign, they are far more associated with the one before (and Louis XIV mostly inherited the hard work of everyone else before him and squandered most of it).

 

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

^ And what should be a unique ability of Richelieu?

 

[Zaarin]

^ And what should be a unique ability of Richelieu?

Basically the same as CdM's. He was (in)famous for his spy network.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Honestly the more I think about it it would be cool if France got a built in diplomatic/espionage governor (Chief Minister) as just part of the civ ability, no matter the leader.

 

[Aurelesk]

I believe future Civilization games will have abilities focusing more around the Leader than the Civilization, in order to represent many facets of the Civilization history. This means that France, England, Egypt, India or China (non-exhaustive list) could have many leaders. Which also means the Unique Unit would probably linked to the Leader instead of the Civilization. It was weird to see Eleanor with either a Elizabeth's ships or Napoleon's melee units, and weirder to witness Frederick Barbarossa ride a U-Boat into naval warfare.

France has many interesting time periods to represent. All depends where you draw the line at "is that France yet?":

1. The Frankish Kingdom era. Charlemagne was at the height of that empire, but its is both and neither French and German at the same time . Either this needs to a Frankish Kingdom Civilization in order to have him, or add Hugh Capet as a French leader. The Unique Unit would probably be a unique medieval Knight.
   • Insert Eleanor of Aquitaine here. I am not saying she is not relevant: she is somewhat part of the reasons of the Hundred Year's War. I love this figure, but I cannot honestly say she or her time period were a key point of France. In a sense, Philip Augustus is a more prominent figure, where the King of the Franks became King of France, put an end to the Angevin Empire, and rose France as the central figure of Europe. Here also, the Unique Unit would probably be a unique medieval Knight for both of them.
2. The Hundred Year's War era. Some wars (and pillaging) due a succession crisis. Joan of Arc was a leader in Civilization II (!) and III (!!) that represent the time period, but it is more an icon that a leader. But... I don't think there is a good french leader to pick anyway... Again, here the Unique Unit would probably be a unique medieval Knight, even if it was the very end of Cavalry warfare afterward.
3. The Ancien Régime era:
   • The Wars of Religion and another succession crisis. This is where Catherine de Medici belongs. This is also the beginning of the Renaissance era thanks to her. It will ends with the coronation of Henry IV. Even if it is a little early, I gues the Musketeer would be the unique unit.
   • The first colonial empire and transformation into a centralized absolute monarchy. This is where Louis XIV belongs. The Musketeer would be the perfect unique unit.Then the Enlightenment cames...
4. The French Revolution: France is bankrupt, famished and now they are aware of that. This leads to the beheading of the King, an informal succession crisis where neighbor wanted to put a King at the head of France and constant wars. This is where the infamous Robespierre belongs. Even if a little too late, the Musketeer could still be the Unique Unit.
5. Napoleonic France: this speak to himself. After the turmoil of the French Revolution, neighboring countries predate France. Napoleon not only managed to secure France integrity, but expand his ideas and french territory througth Europe. After all: best defense if offense.The Garde Impériale is obviously the unique unit.
6. 2nd Colonial Expansion: Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III could be both there. This is where the Foreign Legion as a Unique Unit would make more sense. Napoleon III seems to me the better pick. Militarily wise and foreign policy, he was bad (Prussia, Mexico...), but he vastly industrialized and modernized France. The Belle Époque and the Third Republic went well because of his work.
7. The French Republics and World Wars: Either Georges Clémenceau (Third Republics during WWI) or Charles de Gaulle (resistance in WWII, then leader with his own republic). Here Tanks would be a good pick, either the FT17 or the B1 respectively.

Of course, I do not ask to add 14 leaders for France. But just to say there are many facets of France, and it would be interesting to play France differently than a Culture, centralized wonder obsessed Civilization with a hint of military power.

 

[Zaarin]

In a sense, Philip Augustus is a more prominent figure, where the King of the Franks became King of France, put an end to the Angevin Empire, and rose France as the central figure of Europe. Here also, the Unique Unit would probably be a unique medieval Knight for both of them.

This is where I would call the end of Francia and the beginning of France, when Philippe II Auguste took the title "King of France" instead of "King of the Franks." It's somewhat arbitrary, but it works as a useful date.

 

[Boris Gudenuf]

Honestly the more I think about it it would be cool if France got a built in diplomatic/espionage governor (Chief Minister) as just part of the civ ability, no matter the leader.

Real good argument for this, historically.

Aside from Richelieu, there is Tallyrand in espionage/diplomacy later on, and just under Louis XIII and XIV there are:
Cardinal Mazarin - another diplomatic/espionage figure
Jean-Baptiste Colbert - culture and trade
Marquis de Louvois - military

France, in fact, is a real good argument for One Leader, Many Great Ministers model of Civ, where differences in the Uniques of the Civ can be neatly shown by changes in the Minister, and thus avoiding the cost in resources that a new Leader represents.

A 20th century France (or Early Modern and later England/Britain) can benefit from this kind of thing by having one of their numerous Royals as a Leader but using a Prime Minister as a Great Minister: imagine a French Leader of Louis XI, XIII or XIV (or Henri IV) with a Great Minister of Clemenceau for the Modern Era - it would NOT be the same France as in the Early Modern!

 

[Lord Lakely]

Sure, I'll bite.

I won't share my exact design for the French in my ideal Civ 7 - the game I've been theorycrafting for three years now has several different rules. So, an adapted version conform with Civ 6's rules it is.

[Sarah-Voice]
Louis XIV leads France in Sid Meier's Civilization VII. He was the longest-reigning French monarch, and the most infamous. Under his rule, France experienced a golden age of military dominance, cultural refinement and unprecedented expansion. It was no wonder he later became known as the "Sun King".

The French Civilization ability is Grand Élan. Their military units gain an additional +2 Combat Strength for each Promotion level they've earned. Units with three Promotions or more give France +1 Diplomatic Favour per turn. Whenever France earns a Great Person, they receive +2 extra Era Score.

Louis XIV's unique ability, Sun Court, doubles the spawn rate of Great People when the Empire is in a Golden Age. World Wonders and Great Works completed by France during Golden Ages have their effects doubled, as long as France is their rightful owner.

The Château is France's unique Tile Improvement. It has a base yield of +1 Culture and +2 Production, receiving extra in Charming (+100%) or Breathtaking appeal (+200%). Château also provide +1 Housing for each adjacent River or Lake tile, +2 Gold for each adjacent improved Luxury, and +2 Culture for every adjacent Wonder. The Château requires the Castles technology and only one can be built for every finished district in the city. Châteaux count as Forts when determining Eureka and Military unit defensive bonuses, and can be built by both Builders and Military Engineers. Châteaux provide Tourism equal 50% of their Culture output after Steam Power, improving to 100% after Flight.

The French unique unit is the Culverlin. This Siege Unit replaces the Bombard, but is more mobile. It receives +1 movement on flat terrain, and setting up to shoot does not consume all of its movement points. Culverlins have lower base strength than Bombards, but compensate by receiving a hefty attack bonus (+8 STR) when attacking. Keep in mind that an unpromoted Culverlin is an easy target for a mobile unit, such as a Knight, so make sure you have your own elite army nearby to protect them from harm.

With their mobile artillery and elite armies, the French are a force to be reckoned with from the mid-game onwards. However, should they come under a Golden Age, don't be afraid to turn your swords into plowshares, and lead your empire into an unstoppable cultural victory instead, with your powerful Wonders and Great Works. With cleverly planning your culture game alongside your expansion, France can grow into a late-game powerhouse and become a prime candidate for Culture or Domination Victories.

Will you lead an empire worthy of a true Sun King? How will you lead France in Sid Meier's Civilization VII?

[/Sarah]

Sigil and Cities:

Louis XIV's sigil is a golden Fleur-de-Lys on a silver background. His alternative jersey keeps the golden lily, but has a sky-blue backdrop instead.

City List
Capital: Paris
Other Cities: Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Avignon, Orléans, Reims, Tours, Rouen, Dijon, Nantes, Amiens, Poitiers, Grenoble, Toulon, Lille, Rennes, Strasbourg, Versailles, Nice, Chartres, Calais, Bésançon, Caen, La Rochelle, Clermont, Blois, Bourges, Limoges, Brest, Annecy, Bayonne, Compiègne, Amboise, Foix, Évreux, Troyes, Carcassone and Lourdes.


but what is this? A second design?

[Sarah]
Charlemagne also leads France in Sid Meier's Civilization VII.

This Frankish King united the Christian realms of western and central Europe and crowned himself the first Holy Roman Emperor. A warlord as well as a scholar, Charlemagne was an effective ruler, his empire laid the foundations for the later empires of France, Germany and Austria.

Charlemagne is was a king who ruled with principle, as emulated by is unique ability "Salic Gavelkind".

Whenever Charlemagne conquers a city state, he won't annex it. Instead, he automatically liberates it as his own vassal. All of Charlemagne's City State allies pay him tribute, +3 Gold, or +1 Science, Culture or Faith dependant on City State type, scaling with each Envoy Charlemagne has sent to that City state.. Charlemagne's City State allies exert loyalty pressure for Charlemagne's empire as if they were his cities. Charlemagne can never be supplanted as the Suzerain by means of Envoys. The only way to dethrone the Frankish king as an overlord is by eliminating his vassals one by one.

Furthermore, Salic Gavelkind unlocks the Paladin Unique unit, which only Charlemagne can build. This Knight replacement is stronger than a regular Knight, and receives an additional +5 combat bonus against City State and Levied units. It has no base Gold maintenance cost, instead costing 1 FAITH per turn. If you have no faith, it will cost 2 Gold per turn instead.

As a French leader, Charlemagne has access to the French ability Grand Élan, the Châteaux improvement, and the Culverlin unique unit. These abilities help Charlemagne conquer vast swathes of land, and bring more City States into the fold as his empire keeps growing. The Château's cultural bonuses take a backseat to its defensive utility under his rule.

Charlemagne's strengths lie in controlling as many City States as possible, as each ally brings in more gold, faith, science or culture for Charlemagne to take advantage of. Automatic liberation keeps Charlemagne's grievances low, allowing him to strive for stable peace once every minor power has been brought under his dominion. Charlemagne is a dangerous contender for Diplomatic or Domination victory, but can try his hand at the other victories as well, depending on what City State allies the map grants him.

Are crowning yourself Emperor of all that's good and holy? How will you play Charlemagne's France in Civilization VII?
[/Sarah]

Sigil and Cities:
Charlemagne's sigil is a silver fleur-de-Lys on a dark purple background. His alternative Jersey is the same as Louis's alt - a golden fleur-de-Lys on a sky blue backdrop.

City List:
Capital: Aquisgranni
Other cities: Parisius, Rhemi, Tornaco, Mettis, Suessio, Ratisbon, Treveris, Vormes, Magontia, Avenno, Colonia, Carnutes, Camaraco, Tricasse, Nimega, Verodon, Mastrica, Ausseto, Niverna, Leodic, Turona, Namur, Noyon, Charistalius, Tongres, Laon, Cabyllonna, Quentovic, Spira, Bononia, Aureliana, Autun, Mastico, Fulda, Namnetis, Vetula, Arlate, Bingen, Embrica, Pictavis, Rotho, Roncevaux & Strateburgus.


Personally, I would like to see a more militaristic France, with a compact army of elite knights as it's backbone, with some additional bonus thrown in for peacetime situations, which doesn't even have to be cultural! Industrial, Scientific and Religious bonuses work just as well. Definitely something that departs from the usual 'France = Culture and nothing else' adage we've had in the past two games.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Real good argument for this, historically.

Aside from Richelieu, there is Tallyrand in espionage/diplomacy later on, and just under Louis XIII and XIV there are:
Cardinal Mazarin - another diplomatic/espionage figure
Jean-Baptiste Colbert - culture and trade
Marquis de Louvois - military

France, in fact, is a real good argument for One Leader, Many Great Ministers model of Civ, where differences in the Uniques of the Civ can be neatly shown by changes in the Minister, and thus avoiding the cost in resources that a new Leader represents.

A 20th century France (or Early Modern and later England/Britain) can benefit from this kind of thing by having one of their numerous Royals as a Leader but using a Prime Minister as a Great Minister: imagine a French Leader of Louis XI, XIII or XIV (or Henri IV) with a Great Minister of Clemenceau for the Modern Era - it would NOT be the same France as in the Early Modern!

I do think one extra governor as a minister would do quite good and combine attributes of many of them.

Since many of the ministers were also religious figures it means they could at least have one or two economic/religious promotions. Taille would work as a name.

I think for it to work though it would need to work like the Secret Societies and have them be nationwide bonuses. Though I guess for diplomatic/espionage abilities it would be best if you put them in the cities.