Charles de Gaulle: The man behind the myth

This week, we're exploring the life and legacy of Charles de Gaulle, who died 50 years ago this week. To many, he's the undisputed French hero: a wartime leader who led the Resistance to the Nazis in World War II before years later becoming the first president of the Fifth Republic. For much of his life, he lived in the village of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, where he and his wife Yvonne raised their children. We visit his much-loved home and learn more about the man behind the myth.

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[RASinger]

As Churchill once called him: “The Constable of France”.

[flamingkusarigama]

un héros loué pour son excellence face au défi de son pays, vive la france. Salut de maroc 🇲🇦.

[samadams]

the man with ultimate courage and wisdom ...

[pauldh]

I couldn't have been more than 10 when, during the school holidays, I was watching tv - short film snaps of disjointed modern history - and one was of de Gaulle and his wife tending their daughter's grave. It was taken from a distance and in secret. I immediately felt ashamed and embarrassed as I saw those long sweeping arms take a wreath and a petite lady busying herself around him. I felt that I had intruded upon a private family moment and sensed that somehow he knew.

[grrumakemeangry]

Lol I might be a bit scared standing up there.
I can imagine being clumsy enough to fall lol

[EndingSimple]

This man knew what love of country was.

[nowhereman]

"Maintenant, elle est comme les autres."

[DianaKazimiera-]

Général De Gaulle 🇫🇷 absolument, fantastique person et armée Leader.
Respect, honoré et SALUT !
🕊️🇵🇱🤝
(très intéressant archives)

[Booer]

the grinch: "...what are you doing up there!?!?!"

[miadahhajbi]

He was my very rich grandfather's very best friend he used to put my mom when she was a baby in his lap and feed her his favorite cookies! Oh yah my mom she used to love him too much all her life

[herder_]

He was a hero for his country only but not for Europe.

[DJS]

"Austere"? It's still a Mansion.

[ScrapironRyann]

And I’ve got toothache and a gammy nail

[scottmurphy]

Don't you mean Charles de _Gutless?_

[marcoAKAjoe]

The presenter is attractive. Lol French resistance...

[wizard]

So much propaganda....he begged the americans and the brits to let him march first into paris so he can be the hero. French contribution to ww2 was very small.

[brianbrady]

Mr take all the credit for France liberation.... Without the allies he would have never walked in France again... Of course he basically boasted that he did it all himself...

[commonsenserevolutionx]

Whenever I think of Charles DeGaulle, it is synonymous with arrogance, pompous, self-importance and irrelevance. He just didn’t understand that France whimped out against the Nazis, needed the allies to liberate them, and lost it’s prominence as a major player in the world after WWII. A most unlikable individual.