France

'The War Song for the Army of the Rhine' was composed and first sung at Strasbourg some months before it was adopted by the citizens of Marseilles.

No monument of Christian architecture is more celebrated than the Cathedral of Chartres. Peter Quennell here traces both the origins of the great church and the effect it has exercised on succeeding generations.

An acute commentator on the French Revolution and on the development of the United States, Tocqueville foresaw a century ago many of the political and social problems that face democracy today. Gordon Philo introduces his life and career.

James Kinross tells the story of the French Foreign Legion, a force famous for fighting in Africa, Russia, Mexico, Indo-China and France itself, as well as across the world.

R.V. Sampson charts the philosophical battles that the philosophes fought to publish their Enlightenment masterwork of human knowledge.

Quentin Bell delves into the disputed genealogy of Monaco's premier family.

J.D. Hargreaves on the turn-of-the-century visit of Russia's Nicholas II to France and its wider diplomatic ramifications.

W.F. Knapp reappraises a great historian of nineteenth century France.

Arthur Waley on the pioneering French explorer and early scholar of Indian culture.

Charles Mauricheau-Beaupré surveys the broad sweep of history occupants of the Palace of Versailles have witnessed, and makes a case for its rehabilitation.