La France au cœur de l’Europe explores the unique role of France in the history of European integration. From Roman antiquity to the creation of the European Union, the book traces how leading figures of French thought—from Sully and Rousseau to Victor Hugo, Paul Valéry, Marguerite Yourcenar, and Robert Schuman—have questioned and helped shape the very idea of Europe. Adopting a longue durée perspective, George Chabert shows how the history of France has been closely intertwined with that of the continent, revealing the tensions, doubts, and ideals that continue to influence debates about European identity. This work offers an original analysis of the intellectual and political ties between France and Europe, from the Enlightenment to the present day.