Conference held on 14 March 2024 at the Quai d'Orsay (Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs)

In this context, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the François Guizot Association wanted to highlight Guizot's role at the Foreign Office and his commitment to the first Franco-British rapprochement in the 19th century. On 14 March, a conference followed by a debate was organised at the Quai d'Orsay for an audience of leading figures from the worlds of culture and higher education, business and politics, and diplomats interested in the history of international relations and particularly the figure and achievements of François Guizot.

Opened by Mrs Anne-Marie DESCÔTES, Secretary General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, this conference-debate entitled «Guizot and Europe» was given by Mr Yves Bruley, Correspondant of the Institute (Académie des sciences morales et politiques) and specialist in the history of international relations in the 19th century. It was an opportunity to celebrate the first Entente Cordiale, the work of François Guizot, which put an end to Franco-British differences over the question of the Orient and inaugurated a long period of cooperation, marked by Napoleon III's visit to London and Queen Victoria's visit to Paris (1855), as well as the success of the Congress of Paris that put an end to the Crimean War (1856). The first Entente served as a model for the one forged in 1904 by the minister Théophile Delcassé and the ambassador Paul Cambon, whose 120th anniversary the French and British are celebrating this year.

Read the speech by Stéphane Coste, President of the François Guizot Association

Read the speech by Stéphane Coste, president of the François Guizot Association

Read Yves Bruley's speech on Guizot and Europe.