One thing I learned is that France is now a member of NATO.
Years, and way back many years ago they were part of NATO when it was first established. Then the Socialists took control of the French Government, and they left NATO. I guess they came back when the European Union was formed?
The entire time I was in Europe, for an American Soldier to travel in France, they had to have SPECIAL ORDERS to do so, and COULD NOT wear their Uniform.
I will say that I traveled around France quite a lot, and what I learned back then was that the French Government hated America and American Soldiers, BUT the French people (outside of Paris--which isn't really France) LOVED America and American Soldiers!
Anyone who has ever visited the vast graveyards on the West Coast of France will know this. Many of them are solely cared for and kept by French citizens on a volunteer basis. The red poppies that grow there are beautiful and are said to get their red color from the blood spilled on those lands.
Anyway.........