Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest international airport in France and second-busiest airport in Europe. Opened in 1974, it is located in Roissy-en-France, 23 km (14 mi) northeast of Paris. It is named after Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970), leader of the Free French Forces during World War II, founder of the French Fifth Republic and President of France from 1959 to 1969.