The most famous French medievalist considers the Middle Ages, primarily from the point of view of the formation of European identity. It was in this era, which deserves the most close attitude towards itself, that the main features of Europe familiar to us were formed. The very concept of "Europe" is already found in documents of the 7th century, and the first attempt to unite it dates back to the next century. Further, throughout the Middle Ages, the distinctive features of Europe as a special sociocultural community united by Christian values ​ ​ developed, and the first sprouts of pan-European identity arose.