FRANCE: The Art of Sinking

(See Cover)

From France's ornately somber National Assembly building one day last week emerged one of the world's least known and (at the moment) most important politicians. He was huddled in a black overcoat and brown woolen muffler, as if trying to withdraw into himself before the winds of winter and discontent that wailed about him. His black Homburg, tipped far over his pale blue eyes, almost scraped his nose, perhaps the most remarkable French nose since Cyrano de Bergerac's—a long, melancholy nose whose moody descent ended in a surprising and somewhat...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!