Former prisoner Charles de Gaulle firmly believed that the countries' populations lay at the base of Franco-German relations.

"Franco-German relations under the occupation were not always as brutal or even one-sided as they have often been portrayed," Mr. Gildea writes.

"What better example can there be than Franco-German relations to show the superiority of a joint approach to problems?"

In the letter Brasillach insists that Franco-German relations would inevitably continue to improve and that the occupation had ultimately brought the two nations closer together.

Yet when Bismarck left office in 1890, Franco-German relations seemed to improve.

He worked well with Helmut Kohl and improved Franco-German relations significantly.

He did promise to try to improve Franco-German relations, "the very premise of European development," and without which "European integration is not possible."

This premier cycle focuses on the history of Franco-German relations, and its relevance for the future integration of the European continent.

The British studied the Plan and appreciated its importance for better Franco-German relations.

Abetz cultivated a legacy of strengthening Franco-German relations.