Its subtitle was journal républicain du matin (French: Republican morning paper).

[4] Under his editorship which lasted until 1961 the paper had a conservative political stance[5] and supported the rights of the European settlers in Algeria against the French President Charles de Gaulle's support for the self-determination of the country.

[4] It was subject to censorship of the French authorities when it contained anti-De Gaulle articles.

[4] On 8 February 1960 its publisher and editor, Alain de Sérigny, was arrested and imprisoned in the Barberousse detention centre.

[5] He had been under house arrest since 3 February and was detained due to his alleged role in undermining the internal security of the country.