The Queen and Prince Phillip have finished a three-day state visit to France to commemorate the centenary of close ties between France and the UK. On 8 April 1904 the Franco-British accords, or the Entente Cordiale, was signed to mark the end of colonial rivalry and to start a new era of collaboration.
In recent years the relationship has endured differences over NATO, the Euro and the war in Iraq.
 | ASK FRENCH EXPERT You put your questions to Le Monde correspondent Jean-Pierre Langellier in a LIVE interactive forum. |
The Queen called for the UK and France to keep strong ties with the US in her address to the French Parliament.
Do you think the relations between the UK and France are still "cordiale"? Are there other relationships that eclipse this historic relationship ? Send us your comments.
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received so far:
| SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Anatole, UK:  Do people think that the Anglo-French relationship is still strong, and good?  |
This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.
I'm not sure if the UK-France relationship is 'cordiale' or not but the UK certainly needs France. Just reading the comments of many Brits on show a certain embarrassed defensiveness about their country quite unlike the positive pride the French have.
Tim Saunders, New Zealand
As a Frenchman living in Germany I find it quite ironic to see how close French and German politicians are, whereas their people can't stand each other. With the UK, it's the other way around.
Xavier, Germany (French expat)
| Like it or not, we are not so different as individuals |
There might be some differences on the political level. But every time I met an Englishman or woman, it always has been a pleasure. Like it or not, we are not so different as individuals.
Xavier, France There is one deep, cultural and enduring relationship that does eclipse the "Entente Cordiale". The even deeper relationship between the US and UK is a source of persistent envy (and concerns in some quarters) - particularly by France. After all, the War of Independence was very much a family tiff - that's all. Parents have all experienced similar situations when teenagers begin to flex their independence muscles and squabbles ensue.
Philip Allsopp, Dallas, TX, USA
France and Britain have a history together. Each has contributed to the shaping of the other, exchanging ideas, religious ideals, culture, education, commerce, and all kinds of assistance going both ways in those many centuries. Much as we profess to dislike each other as nations, we are like objectionable in-laws comfortable with being unpleasant to each other, but each relying on the other to keep them sane.
Ian, Brit in USA
Ah, the UK and France, two once great powers of the world which have been reduced to European states. Two countries whose colonial ambitions and competitiveness have caused most of the international problems in the world. Does it really matter if there is an Entente Cordial, if they are both part of the EU? After all, there is no need for such an agreement between say, California and Nevada. Seems rather silly to me.
James, Chilicothe, OH USA
These two countries are responsible for colonialism that has ruined Africa and the Middle East. Odd that they make so much of this "Entente Cordial" when it is the hundreds of years of rivalry between these countries that has caused so many problems around the world.
Helen, USA
Can you really lump all British and French into two distinct groups? It is like asking if the relationship between London and Manchester is "cordiale". There are British and French people I agree with and British and French people I don't agree with in equal measure.
Bob, Colchester, England
The world would be very incomplete without Britain and France - we need them and they definitely need each other. And they are connected through a very expensive tunnel.
Bukowsky, Santiago, Chile
| It is a much healthier relationship, based on mutual self-interest, than the servile sycophantic relationship of the UK to the US |
The UK French relationship is as cordial as you would expect between allies and partners. There are naturally disagreements when national interests or the perception of national interests diverge. It is a much healthier relationship, based on mutual self-interest, than the servile sycophantic relationship of the UK to the US.
Alan, Tetsworth Presidents Blair and Chirac may not see eye-to-eye, but when the war in Iraq was announced the demonstrations on both sides of the channel showed that UK and French opinions weren't actually so far apart. It's just politics obstructing people getting along... especially when politicians fail to represent their constituents.
Erik, UK
It's really interesting to see that the worse comments about France come mainly from Americans. What a pity that they cannot get over the fact that France did not agree on the Iraq invasion, as a result they cannot do anything else but insult the French... what a lack of maturity. Americans definitely need to get educated.
Sandrine, Arizona, USA
They are currently around 700,000 French people living and working in the UK, and countless British have bought properties to live in France... if that's not love... c'est de l'amour alors!
Nathalie, London, UK
I love the French which is just as well as I'm married to one! Mind you, when she asked her local priest if we could be married in church (I was divorced) he replied "Of course! Is he a Catholic?" "No" replied my future wife, "He's Anglican". "My God" said the priest "An Englishman! The only thing left for you my child is to pray..."
John Connolly, Valencia, Spain
| Britain and France have jointly achieved much together over the last 100 years |
It is worth remembering that Britain and France have jointly achieved much together over the last 100 years, hardly anyone seems to have mentioned Concorde, the Channel Tunnel and the co-operation between countries during both world wars. Sure, I may not agree with a number of foreign and domestic policies pursued by French governments, but the same is true of our own.
Paul, Colchester I guess I missed something here. As long as England sides with the French everything's ok. But if England sides with another country over them they're considered fish fodder. How ironic, I always thought the Brits were number one in their region. Guess I was wrong.
Darlene, USA
Having lived in French speaking Africa for four years, (Congo), I'd say Franco British colonial rivalry isn't over. Congolese, Liberians and Sierra Leonean have all suffered from a failure by the two main former colonial powers to coordinate policy. However Britain and France have recently managed to agree on an EU peacekeeping mission in Africa for the first time ever. If the two countries could actually set up that rapid reaction force they talk about it might in future save a lot of lives.
Nick Long, Paris
Our relationship is a bit like of that between siblings who choose to only see each other at festive times. We niggle, nag, argue and disagree. But, we are very similar underneath. Both proud and often stubborn.
Jane, London UK
I felt proud when it was mentioned on radio 4 that the Queen speaks French fluently and will speak to the French people in their national language. We are not all totally uneducated in the UK.
Pete Fitzmaurice, Harlow UK
| I'm surprised the Queen got past the blockades and the train wasn't on strike |
Entente Cordiale? It's going the same way as the Concorde.
Arthur, UK I'm surprised the Queen got past the blockades and the train wasn't on strike.
Paul Weaver, London, UK
No one cares in Europe anymore about this "entente cordiale" between France and Britain. Its no different than what the French have with the Germans. or the British have with Portugal. We must stop looking at this archaic past of single European nation alliances and think more about a "European entente" that is so much more important for our future.
Enrique Guzzetti, Bergamo, Italy
Funny that so many of the anti-French posts are coming from here in the USA. No doubt many can't get over the French being right about this whole Iraq fiasco.
Antoni, Buffalo, USA
France is a beautiful country and a very relaxed way of life. However the "Cordiale" between Britain (particularly England) is far from cordiale. The French are fine as long as everything is going France's way but when it doesn't there are strikes, embargo's and political sulking
Brian McInnes, Shrewsbury PA USA What an amazing mixture of views. Let's try to rise above the gutter press knee-kick reaction to all things foreign and evaluate the entente cordiale in a pragmatic way, as Phil Donnell very rightly suggests. A lot of the comments here seem to criticise the French for doing what the British have singularly failed to do - look after their own interests.
Neville, France (ex- UK)
With British attitudes to the rest of the world Eurostar drivers should announce "We are now arriving at London Waterloo, please set your watch to local time, which is 1945". It is time we started living in the world as it is, rather than as it was. Vive la France!
Anna , Cambridge, UK
I'd be very glad and proud of an "entente cordiale" with any nation that stands up to America's attempts at world domination!
Stuart, London, UK
You only have to look at the number of people leaving this country to buy homes in France (even second ones) to know the answer. Many Brits obviously prefer the company of the English-bashing French to your typical beer-swilling British bigot.
Brian, UK
I was surprised to hear such vehemently anti-French sentiments as expressed here while listening to a (non-BBC) talk show on the radio yesterday morning. I suspect most of this is coming from folks so parochial that they haven't bothered to cross the Channel and see for themselves that the French are people, too. Get a life.
K, Haslemere, UK
The French President had better watch himself when he's rubbing shoulders with Mr Putin. I don't think a leopard can change his spots. The KGB are masters of deception.
Walter Matheson, N.B. Canada
To hell with France!!! They will stab you in the back the second they get the chance.
Brian O'Hare, New York, New York
| They say that familiarity breeds contempt... |
In the group of Anglophones I socialized with while attending school in Paris, none were more critical of France than the English. They say that familiarity breeds contempt and I certainly felt it then.
Ryan, Detroit, USA
A Brit having lived nearly 45 years in France, when I visit England I am increasingly concerned at the anti-French attitude of the media - to improve the relationship, some attempt at objectivity should be made.
Valerie Pecourt, Boulogne Billancourt, France
What a weird question to ask. I think Britain should do what's best for Britain, regardless of what the French think. They are obstructionists who should be ignored.
Max Smart, Sunland, USA
| At least the French people stand up for their rights |
Having stayed in a Gite in Britanny for the 1st time with my family last year I can honestly say we were made very welcome by the French and we had a thoroughly enjoyable week. So much so, we are returning for another holiday this summer! At least the French people stand up for their rights. We could do with being more assertive here e.g. our Government!
Michelle, UK
Ask French people the same question, you will get the same xenophobic or enthusiastic answers. Just swap' French' and 'English' and 'France' and 'England'. I am lucky enough to love Scotland, to have wonderful Scottish friends. Long live the Auld alliance!
Michelle, France
Watching the BBC news today I would rather have liked to have heard the Queen speaking in French rather than a commentator rabbiting over it. Couldn't you have used sub-titles? After all it's not often a British dignitary is able to converse in his or her host's own language.
Robert Hale, Fordingbridge, England
In response to Julian, I'd like to say that having worked closely with Frenchmen over more than a decade I don't believe in the Entente and believe that we in the UK ought to recognise that the French purely view us as rivals to be 'done down' in both the economic and political spheres.
Peter Mason, Chelmsford, UK
Last year was my first visit to France. I spent a few days in La Rochelle and was astounded at the friendliness, cleanliness and great quality of service. Shop assistants were glad to help me with my lousy French and always had a smile. Vive La France.
T Newman, Bournemouth UK
I've never read such a disgusting list of anti-French comments. You sound like a bunch of tabloid newspaper readers. I hope no French people are reading this disgusting list of comments.
Martin, Coventry, UK
I'm always happy to see British tourists is Brittany, in the Alps and elsewhere, and I've been very happy to have fun and work in England. Welcome to HM the Queen !
Fran�ois, France People seem to be missing the point. The Entente came about specifically because it suited both nations and not because either desperately wanted a much closer relationship. Both Britain and France will ignore it, if it is in their best interest. The French are being lambasted but New Zealand and Australia have not forgotten how readily British politicians abandoned them in the 1960s in a headlong rush into the E.E.C with subsequent higher prices, just as New Zealand does not forget the French disgrace over the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior. The Entente works because it suits both parties. Merely an example of pragmatism.
Phil O'Donnell, Auckland, New Zealand
I think the Entente Cordiale still exists between the people of the UK and France but the politicians can't stand each other!
Phil Smith, Birmingham
It is not that long ago that French technicians were fitting Argentinean planes with French missiles during the Falklands War. Prudence demands that the French be kept at arms length and are never ever to be relied upon in a crisis.
Mike Hall, Chipping Norton, UK
| Both countries simultaneously admire and abhor each other |
French and English history and cultures have been intertwined for so long that the 1904 entente simply set out on paper what it is that basically binds the two countries together. Both countries simultaneously admire and abhor each other - always have - probably always will. But we share intertwined histories stretching back 1000 years and more. We are France's mirror - and they ours. We have learnt it is better to argue, agree, and bicker than to fight each other - perhaps other countries should take note (Greece and Turkey spring to mind)
Andy H, Gloucester, UK
No. I think in the UK the less educated tend to dislike Germans because the tabloids like to go on about beach towels and 'the war'. The more educated, who know some history and deal with other nationalities away from the Costa del Sol beach front, tend to be less enamoured of the French. Here in Warsaw, Polish friends find it quite amusing that every French person they know goes on about how much they dislike the English and vice versa. We even have an Anglo Pole friend here who has trained his dog to growl if you tell him there's a Frenchman at the door!
Chris McGeachin, Warsaw
To answer this question we perhaps need to compare the current relationship between Britain and France with its history. We spent centuries fighting one another, despite and because of French cultural influence in the British establishment from the Norman Conquest. Finally, for the last hundred years, we have more or less buried the hatchet, which is definitely something to be celebrated. However, two countries right next to one another with large populations, significant roles in world affairs (former imperial powers, permanent UN Security Council members) and different social and political traditions will inevitably have a love-hate relationship.
Aidan T. A. Varney, London/Montreal
It is clear that the French look after themselves first and foremost, and looking after any other nation is a poor second. Think of rioting fishermen, striking truckers, British lambs burned as soon as they land in France, the beef fiasco and so on. If only our government could protect British interests with half as much vigour as the French do our country would be a better place to live.
John B, UK
It is always good to have cordial relations with The French...as long as you never turn your back on them.
Mark, USA
Mais oui!
Peter Bolton, US
The French will always hate anyone with more power and influence than them. It's the "little man" complex for an entire nation. I'm a little curious as to why you didn't ask about the US / French relationship? Ask me and I tell you that a former friend betrayed me and actively sought my defeat, disgrace and death. Better an honest enemy than a false friend. They have cemented in my mind and my country's mind that they are to be treated as an enemy that they wished to be.
Craig Traylor, Texas, USA
Entente Cordiale?? Doesn't look much like it after reading the sarcastic comments from a bulk of the pro-British lot.
Amit, Los Angeles
There are things wrong in France as in Britain, but there does in general in France seem to be a better class of education and a generally more civilised way of life over the Channel. Coming back to England every so often merely reinforces this view.
Nicholas Taylor, La Rochelle, France
| We could learn a lot from the French |
We could learn a lot from the French. They never do anything that doesn't look after themselves first (the entente cordiale being a prime example) and say "stuff the rest of you" to the EU and rest of the world. It's about time the UK did the same.
John, UK
I'm not sure what anyone could possibly learn from the French, particularly the English who have either been bullying them or saving them from other bullies for the best part of 1,000 years. Cordiale with France? Why not, but it scarcely matters when France is so irrelevant in the world today. Why not concentrate on India, China and even Iceland for that matter?
Mark Parish, New York, USA
Mark Parish (USA)- Were the English "bullying" the French when Napoleon invaded most of Europe? Or when the French attacked Germany in the 1870's (Franco-Prussian war)? Or When Petan's Vichy regime was enthusiastically rounding up French Jews to help the Nazi's? Or slaughtering the locals in Indo-China & Algeria? Check your history books- France has a long history of being the aggressor.
Peter, U.K
I think those who have a low opinion of France, tend to have had little contact with French people and never visited. The UK's tabloids also serve to run down the French people without basis.
Julian, Sandhurst, UK
"Cordiale" has something to do with the heart, but exactly like the unique relationship between the 2 greatest political geniuses of the 20th Century , Churchill and DeGaulle, intense reciprocal admiration and wise awareness that each one needs the dignified survival of the other's nation does not mean that sort of common road that leads to a marriage. So the entente cordiale was a promising engagement but never developed into a marriage. Britain courted the USA and France was left to court Germany. Pity for Europe and pity for the West because an Anglo French marriage in 1945 would have been decisive towards a form of European unity to the benefit also of the USA. But the story is not finished and who knows if the future will not finally someday make the entente cordiale into an entente vitale
Henry Alphandery, Milan Italy
I am amazed to learn that the Queen has only been to France 4 times. This does not sound like an "entente cordial" to me.
Emily, UK
To Emily, UK: The Queen has visited France far more than 4 times. This is her fourth state visit, which is actually a very high number to one country. In recent years the Queen has visited France for VE Day, the opening of the Chunnel and is due back again in July for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. She has also taken several holidays there. In fact, the Queen has probably visited France more than any other nation outside the Commonwealth.
MC, Glasgow, UK
Any notion of a special relationship between France and Britain is illusionary. Chirac has demonstrated his desire for his country's closest relationship to be with Germany, not the UK.
Jessima, UK
There's nothing wrong with the French that the English Channel doesn't put right.
Mark M. Newdick, US/UK
Britain's warmongers slated France over their refusal to joins us in Iraq. Now look at the mess in Iraq and other parts of the world BECAUSE of the war. If only our government had listened to the good sense of the French then.
Mike, Gravesend, Gravesend, UK
The French don't have any regard for any other nation but themselves, an example of this was their position on Iraq, which was not principled but political and self serving whether right or wrong. They play the same game with EU rules. Rather than focus on the meaningless entente we should ensure they play fairly in Europe like everyone else.
James, Portsmouth, England
| The political elite in Britain has tended to prefer closer ties with the US administration |
The political elite in Britain has tended to prefer closer ties with the US administration. However, having lived in both the US and France, I can confidently say that I've been made much more welcome, and had a much more rewarding experience living in France. Long may the entente cordiale continue...
Dave, Paris, France
France is looking for Britain to be a partner in their confrontation with the United States. By adopting the Euro, becoming much more closely intertwined with the French-German alliance, Britain would be jumping into the water with two drowning men looking for more people to hang on to.
Mark, USA
Jacques Chirac is surely amongst the least 'Cordiale' people in the world.
Roger Filius, London, UK
I think the UK relationship at the moment is as cordiale as UK rest of the world (Except US).
Silvia, UK, London
Vive la difference!
Bill, Bristol, UK
The relationship is 'cordial' at the moment because it's in the French interest to be so. At the point where it's better for France to do something else, regardless of the cost for others, they will do what they always do and France comes first. Everyone else can go hang. Two words ... Rainbow Warrior!
Andy G.M. Wood, UK (London)
France is one of the finest countries in the world. We should make the effort to reach out to the French and all our European counterparts.
Nick Fraser, London, UK
Lime is cordiale. French and English relationships are better served on a windless day.
Des Currie, Umdloti, South Africa
I don't know about the relationship between governments - that comes and goes - but the relationship between French and British people seems pretty cordiale to me. Two of my colleagues and one of my housemates are French and my (British) parents live there. The European Union is slowly becoming a social reality, whatever the Little Englander types think.
Jo, Menai Bridge, UK
As an Englishman I wish we had closer relations with France. I feel particularly ashamed of the anti-French propaganda regularly promoted in our tabloid press. In many ways I wish Britain was more European than American - although sadly it seems we are doomed to become a state of America than a state of Europe.
Peter , London, UK
Of course, Scotland formed the Auld Alliance with France in 1295 and even had a common currency. Claret and oysters became standard fare in Scotland. I don't know about Anglo-French relations, but Franco-Scottish relations are still pretty good!
Gordon, Edinburgh
Is the France Kevin is talking about the same France that everyone else knows? Or has he just overlooked the moribund economy, militant and irresponsible unions, high crime, ludicrous taxes and burgeoning far right? The French are a vital neighbour and we should make every effort to be friends with them. Just so long as we don't imagine that we want to be more like them!
Harry, UK
My old politics lecturer (who was French) said to me that the reason the French dislike the English is threefold: firstly the English language is dominant in the world and it should be French, secondly North Sea oil (and France relies on nuclear power) and thirdly the UK is an island and does not suffer invasion and conquest (usually from Germans)! I think that is a fair summary.
Jon, Wolverhampton, UK
I have nothing against the US, but France seems to me to be a natural partner for the UK. At least we would be equal partners and not lapdogs to George Bush.
Mark , Portsmouth, UK
The entente is very cordiale. The English move to France and buy cheap houses and wine. Enterprising French people go to the UK to escape the shackles of French bureaucracy.
Joe Ryan, Chartres, France
| I have always viewed the French with more distrust than any other European nation |
Whilst not strictly politically correct, as an Englishman I have always viewed the French with more distrust than any other European nation. It can be argued that Britain does not seem to be proactive in European issues at times, but the French only seem interested in serving their own purposes, as opposed to the principles of Europe.
Geoff, London, UK Francophilia is one of the biggest institutional follies in the British civil service (particularly at the Foreign Office) over the last century. France has demonstrated time and again their favour of the Germans over the British; and in all honesty the British people have likewise demonstrated their preference for the Germans over the French. So quite why the idea that Britain and France should form a special axis is a mystery to me.
Anatole, UK
"Cordiale" relations would be a disappointment. What we might hope for are closer ties, and increased cooperation, in what have proven to be challenging times.
Bob Ezergailis, Canada
We have a lot to learn from the French. They are able to maintain public transport, national and civic pride, manufacturing industries, an internationally lauded culture and world class education. Our current government has thrown all these away.
Kevin, England
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