François Mitterrand, exhausted by his military exercises, writes to his lover.

François Mitterrand (1916.1996)

Autograph letter signed to Marie-Louise Terrasse, known as Catherine Langeais.

One page in 4°.

[Fort d'Ivry]. December 2, 1938.

« The mind still holds sway over the body; fatigue serves as its intoxication

Mitterrand exhausted by the exercises of his military service.

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"My dearest, tonight my limbs are aching : a 20-kilometer walk at full speed, and relentless exercise. My body wanders through a realm bathed in fatigue where annihilation sails, but my spirit still sustains me; fatigue serves as its intoxication. My beloved, I have thought of you all day. I am already placing yesterday evening among the memories to be cherished and relived. It bodes well for the hours of intimacy we will share each evening of our lives: our love is becoming more and more one with our life, it gives it meaning ."

My little girl, I'm writing to you from bed. I fall asleep terribly. I've rarely needed rest more. But telling you of my love doesn't contradict this need, this desire for peace. My beloved, I'll stop this little note here. I only wanted to tell you that I love you. François. Until tomorrow evening, darling. Make sure you have a nice time the day after tomorrow. Goodnight, my darling Zou. Fr

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Catherine Langeais (1923.1998), whose real name is Marie-Louise Terrasse, met François Mitterrand on January 28, 1938, during the École Normale Supérieure ball, with whom, although only 15 years old, she became engaged. Mitterrand wrote more than 300 letters to the woman he nicknamed Zou.