Officially, it is not a rank but a position and style bestowed on some divisional generals, which is the highest substantive rank, in charge of important commands, such as Chief of Staff of the French Army or Chief of the Defence Staff.

The rank was created on 6 June 1939 by a decree of the President of the French Republic published in the Journal Officiel de la République Française,[1] following a joint report by the Ministers of War, of the Navy and of the Air.

They came to the conclusion that the higher hierarchy was more often in relation with the one of other countries, which frequently had more than two general ranks.

After the Second World War the design of the full dress uniform kepi for a general changed, now also displaying the stars.

The mention of the current usage of "a sixth star authorized for the army general in command of the Paris sector" is an urban legend.