Charles de Gaulle France Quotations

France has lost the battle but she has not lost the war.

Once upon a time there was an old country, wrapped up in habit and caution. We have to transform our old France into a new country and marry it to its time.

As an adolescent I was convinced that France would have to go through gigantic trials, that the interest of life consisted in one day rendering her some signal service and that I would have the occasion to do so.

I might have had trouble saving France in 1946 - I didn't have television then.

All my life I have had a certain idea of France.

France was built with swords. The fleur-de-lis, symbol of national unity, is only the image of a spear with three pikes.

For all of us Frenchmen, the guiding rule of our epoch is to be faithful to France.

I cannot prevent the French from being French

France has no friends, only interests.

France cannot be France without greatness.

France has lost a battle. But France has not lost the war! (Proclamation, 18 June 1940)

All my life I have thought of France in a certain way.