Le voyage de De Gaulle en Pologne
De Gaulle’s visit to Poland

Summary/Abstract: General de Gaulle’s visit to Poland cannot be understood without taking into account two contradictory factors that have characterized Franco-Polish relations since 1958: on the one hand, the fact that he belonged to opposing camps during the Cold War, and on the other hand, the intensity of bilateral ties, which is also expressed in his personal memories of service between 1919 and 1921. Regardless of sentimental and historical considerations, the territorial status of post-war Poland was a lasting part of General de Gaulle’s geopolitical conception. It implied support for the inviolability of its western border. The possibilities of political openness he had been thinking about since 1958 were thwarted by the tensions of the Cold War and Poland’s support for Algeria. The ousting of Khrushchev and the cooling of Franco-German relations were a turning point. The intensive exchange of visits between Poland and France was supposed to signify acceptance of the bipolar order on condition that Poland retained its identity. General de Gaulle’s visit to Poland was intended to explain his policy of “détente, understanding, cooperation”. His veiled speeches suggested the adoption of a more independent stance towards Moscow, but did not in any way upset the post-war status quo in Europe.

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