The French expedition to Egypt, ostensibly to support the Ottoman Porte and suppress the Mamluks, was led by Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonaparte's proclamation in Alexandria emphasized equality, merit, and respect for Islam, contrasting with the Mamluks' supposed lack of these qualities. He promised open access to all Egyptians for administrative posts and suggested the overthrow of papal authority to demonstrate French adherence to Islam.^[102]

However, the Egyptians were skeptical of French intentions. After the French victory at the Battle of Embabeh (Battle of the Pyramids), where Murad Bey and Ibrahim Bey's forces were defeated, a municipal council was formed in Cairo including sheiks, Mamluks, and French members, mainly serving to enforce French decrees.^[102]

French invincibility was questioned after their fleet's defeat at the Battle of the Nile and failure in Upper Egypt. Tensions escalated with the introduction of a house tax, leading to an insurrection in Cairo in October 1798. French General Dupuy was killed, but Bonaparte and General Kléber quickly suppressed the uprising. The French use of Al-Azhar Mosque as a stable caused deep offense.^[102]

Bonaparte's Syrian expedition in 1799 temporarily weakened French control in Egypt. Upon his return, he defeated a joint attack by Murad Bey and Ibrahim Bey, and later crushed a Turkish army at Aboukir. Bonaparte then left Egypt, appointing Kléber as his successor.^[102] Kléber faced a precarious situation. After initial agreements for French evacuation were blocked by the British, Cairo experienced riots, which Kléber suppressed. He negotiated with Murad Bey, granting him control of Upper Egypt, but Kléber was assassinated in June 1800.^[102]

General Jacques-Francois Menou succeeded Kléber, attempting to win Muslim favor but alienating Egyptians by declaring a French protectorate. In 1801, English and Turkish forces landed at Abu Qir, leading to French defeats. General Belliard surrendered Cairo in May, and Menou capitulated in Alexandria in August, ending French occupation.^[102] The lasting legacy of the French occupation was the "Description de l'Egypte," a detailed study of Egypt by French scholars, which significantly contributed to the field of Egyptology.^[102]