1578 in France

Incumbents

• Monarch – Henry III

Events

• April 27 – The Duel of the Mignons claims the lives of two favorites of Henry III of France, and two favourites of Henry I, Duke of Guise

Births

• December 20 – Henry of Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne, French noble

Deaths

• March 7 - Gilles de Gouberville, French diarist
• March 29 – Louis I, Cardinal of Guise, French cardinal
• April 2 – Marie Elisabeth of France, French princess
• April 7 - Gilles Spifame de Brou, French prelate
• April 27 - Georges de Schomberg, French courtier
• April 27 - Louis de Maugiron, French courtier
• April 29 - François d'Aydie, French noble
• April 30 - Jeanne Harvilliers, French alleged witch
• July 22 - Paul de Stuer, French noble and military commander
• May 29 - Jacques de Lévis, French noble
• September 10 – Pierre Lescot, French architect
• October 13 - Jean Bullant, French architect and sculptor
• Antonio Mizauld, French astronomer and physician
• Jean Raymond Merlin, French Protestant theologian
• Bertrand-Rambaud de Simiane, French military commander