About Jean Monnet
Jean Monnet, the artisan of European Union, was born in the year 1888 and was raised in a family of cognac farmers. Jean Monnet spent his life working across the borders. His career saw him rising from his family occupation to the level of international business. He played a pivotal role in both World Wars persuading the allies to work together. Monnet pondered over finding out a permanent amicable solution to the resurging of a war on the European earth. Monnet and Robert Sehuman drafted a configuration for European countries to distribute steel and coal production with an intention to cease Franco-German rivalry. It led to the creation of the first European community and opened the channels for further European Cooperation. It was Monnet’s vision that Europe ushers into a new era of European peace and unity. Jean Monnet’s home in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne saw the craftsmanship of this statesman’s indefatigable work.
It was a witness of many plans that proved a milestone for the future of France and Europe. Jean Monnet house has been officially recognised by the French government as a ‘Maison des Illustres’ where Jean Monnet lived and worked for 30 years. It is also an integral unit of political houses and foundations of leading Europeans. The European Parliament is a driving force behind this initiative by organising new events and hosting several activities about his work and his morals of peace and solidarity of masses. Jean Monnet and his closest colleagues dreamt of seeing his family house transformed into a place in which youngsters could visit to discuss and share their ideas. The European Parliament has made this public place of reminiscence where people having to learn more about the functioning of European Union and are inquisitive about the united world in which one of the artists of today’s Europe lived and shaped his idea of integrated Europe. It is here that he designed his ideas and executed them to bring forth the future of France and Europe. This place is in nearby vicinity of Paris but provides tranquil atmosphere than tumults of a French capital city. His house was purchased by European parliament in 1982, which at present is being managed by the House of European History. There is a permanent multimedia exhibition of introspection into his career, political ideas and his private world.
It is for the accomplishment of his objectives, the Parliament has given a new lease of life to his house. Jean Monnet received from Georges Spénale, (the contemporary president of the European parliament) Parliament Gold Medal for his commendable contribution towards construction of integrated Europe in 1975. The Luxembourg European Councin,l meeting held in April, 1976 proclaimed him an ‘Honorary citizen of Europe’. In 1963, Jean Monnet received ‘Parliament’s Gold Medal’ for paramount contribution in process of sculpting United Europe. Jean Monnet died on 16th March, 1979 surrounded by his family members.