The French Wars of Religion were a series of conflicts in France from 1562 to 1598, primarily between the Catholics and Huguenots, who were French Protestants influenced by the Reformation. These wars were marked by brutal violence, political intrigue, and significant loss of life, as both sides sought control over the French crown and religious dominance. The conflict culminated in the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which granted limited religious freedom to the Huguenots and aimed to restore peace in France. This edict marked a significant step towards religious tolerance, although tensions between Catholics and Protestants persisted for years.