Fictional Heroine Embarks On Aerial Expedition Amid War Threats

A new novel, ‘Quand leurs ailes seront déployées’ (When Their Wings Are Spread), tells the story of a young woman’s quest for emancipation through flight in the years leading up to World War II. The book follows Gabrielle Saint-Hilaire as she pursues her dream of becoming a pilot, despite the societal norms of the time. Along the way, she meets several female aviation pioneers, including Maryse Bastié, Maryse Hilsz, and Claire Roman. The novel, winner of the 2025 Femme Actuelle Jury’s Choice Award, was written by Vincent J. Potier and published by Les Lauréats, as reported by Dassault Aviation.