'Perfidious Albion?' French Perceptions of Britain as an Ally after the First World War J. F. V. Keiger

The celebrated journalist, Genevieve Tabouis, began her book Perfidious Albion-Entente Cordiale with the story of Lloyd George in 1919, still British prime minister, walking in the grounds at Rambouillet with Aristide Briand, then France's foreign minister. The Welshman, wishing to compliment his Breton host, remarked: 'Your countrymen from Brittany certainly distinguished themselves during the war.' Quick as a flash came the reply: 'But naturally! They were under the impression that they were up against the English!'1