Children don't just play any more - they're far too busy learning to fence and taking extra French classes. In the end you're actually doing more damage to your children by trying to hot-house them. It's far better to remain a calm parent.

Through leadership of the fight against French colonialism Ho Chi Minh had made a name for himself in the international political arena.

Most people have no imagination. If they could imagine the sufferings of others they would not make them suffer so. What separated a German mother from a French mother?

I know where I'm going and I have told the French. I am sure if hope is there we will be able to put France back on its feet... to live better in five years than we do today.

In a country like France so ancient their history is full of outstanding people so they carry a heavy weight on their back. Who could write in French after Proust or Flaubert?

We are a big country with lots of advantages and history. We are proud to be French. We have to call on patriotism at this time... to ask for an effort in the battle against debt.

When I arrived at Columbia I gave up acting and became interested in all things French. French poetry French history French literature.

I had a go at changing history - maybe not all by myself - I fought at the battle of Normandy I slogged through the Ardennes and I celebrated the liberation of Paris on the streets with beautiful French girls throwing flowers at me. I said good-bye to my first true love and discovered what I really wanted to do with my life.

I have tried to lift France out of the mud. But she will return to her errors and vomitings. I cannot prevent the French from being French.

While Haiti has recently celebrated more than 200 years of independence from French colonial rule the citizens of the island remain vulnerable to poverty poor health and political chaos.