The French military is to return to the NATO fold for the first time in 40 years, thanks to Sarkozy:

President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday announced a major new defense policy that would integrate French troops into the command structure of the NATO alliance for the first time in more than four decades.

Sarkozy also proposed a leaner military with fewer troops and bases; a slowdown in the deployment of expensive aircraft and warships; and more money for intelligence-gathering satellites and other equipment needed for home-territory fights against terrorism, cybercrime and drug trafficking.

The withdrawal was pushed through by de Gaulle in the 1960s. From Wikipedia:

Though France showed solidarity with the rest of NATO during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, de Gaulle continued his pursuit of an independent defence by removing France’s Atlantic and Channel fleets from NATO command. In 1966, all French armed forces were removed from NATO’s integrated military command, and all non-French NATO troops were asked to leave France. This withdrawal forced the relocation of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) from Paris to Casteau, north of Mons, Belgium, by 16 October 1967. France remained a member of the alliance, and committed to the defence of Europe from possible Communist attack with its own forces stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany throughout the Cold War.

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