The last emperor of France was Napoleon III, who reigned from 1852 to 1870. Born Charles-Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, he was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and established the Second French Empire. His rule began after a successful coup d'état and was characterized by modernization and industrialization efforts in France. However, his regime faced increasing opposition and culminated in a disastrous defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Following this defeat, he was deposed, leading to the establishment of the Third Republic in France in 1870.