Definite or zero article in front of adjective

My linguistic instinct (for whatever it is worth to non-native writers) tells me that the sentence

The French historiography ascribes to the first legendary king of Poldevia…

"sounds" wrong while the sentence

French historiography ascribes to the first legendary king of Poldevia…

"sounds" right. Is my instinct wrong? And if it is correct, could someone state a formal rule for when the definite article is used in front of an adjective followed by the name of a discipline or situation?

Similar example:

French cuisine is known world-wide

which sounds OK, or

The French cuisine is known world-wide

which sounds wrong…?