A modern and conquering France

Politicians say the most delicious things. Today at the unveiling of the world's tallest bridge, France's President Jacques Chirac said something I found particularly humorous.

The bridge will serve as a symbol of "a modern and conquering France," he said.

Shouldn't Germany be the symbol of conquering France? If not Germany, I'm sure some other country would be happy to serve as the symbol.

The bridge is in France, but wouldn't you know it it was "[d]esigned by British architect Norman Foster."

The symbol of modern France designed by a Brit. Perfect.