La chanson de Roland

The Song of Roland is the oldest surviving major work of French literature, an epic poem dating back to the late 11th century. It recounts the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778, during the reign of Charlemagne, blending historical events with legendary heroism and themes of feudal loyalty. While the poem was originally composed in Old French, it has been translated and adapted countless times over the centuries to preserve its place as a cornerstone of medieval European culture.

This specific edition is published by Le Livre de poche, a collection that revolutionized French literature by making classic texts accessible and affordable to the general public starting in the mid-20th century. The scholarly presentation of this volume adheres to established academic translations of the manuscript tradition, designed to provide readers with a clear, readable version of the chanson de geste while maintaining the gravity and linguistic richness of the original narrative.