mrs. kennedy made many official visits to other countries, on her own or with the president. in 1961, the kennedys began their official trip of europe in france. after arriving in the country, many liked her. french president charles de gaulle liked her because she could speak french and because of her knowledge of french history. seeing how popular she was, president kennedy joked, "i am the man who accompanied jacqueline kennedy to paris, and i have enjoyed it."