The French Civil Wars, primarily occurring in the 16th century, were a series of conflicts driven by religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants, known as Huguenots. These wars were marked by a struggle for power among noble families and the monarchy, leading to significant violence and instability in France. Key events included the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572, where thousands of Huguenots were killed, and the Wars of Religion that followed. The conflicts ultimately concluded with the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which granted limited religious freedoms to Protestants and aimed to restore peace in France.