The French rarely give warm welcomes, but once they get to know you their farewells are gracious and full of politesse.

Take the case of Jacques Chirac, the wily president of the last 12 years. The French have complained about him. They've affectionately or ruthlessly caricatured the man. They've marched against him and battered him like a political punching bag. More than anything, though, they've disapproved of President Chirac. At one point, after the public overwhelmingly rejected the EU Constitution in 2005, Chirac's approval ratings sat near historic lows for months, cascading down into the 20-percent range. When Chirac mused about potentially running for a third presidential term; how many French people wanted him to? A mere one percent.

But just two years on from the failed referendum, as Chirac moves toward the edge of the political stage, the old man is being reassessed. If extra-European affairs were almost completely absent from the presidential campaign, it is because the candidates (as well as most of the French) find little to disagree with in Chirac's main international stances, especially on Iraq. And here at home, the president's every action is no longer widely seen as some Machiavellian maneuver to retain power, even if long-time enemies do accuse him of plotting to avoid post-presidency justice for corruption scandals dating back to his time as mayor of Paris.

In some ways, Chirac's presidency feels like it has been over for a while. He's lain remarkably low in recent months, not making a single campaign appearance in support of his political heir on the right, Nicolas Sarkozy. (See Chirac: Endorsing with Faint Praise. ) And his international encounters - with Angela Merkel in Germany or with African leaders in southern France -- have had the feel of a private farewell tour, rather than news-inspiring international encounters. Perhaps it is his absence from the stage in France -- or a comparison with the candidates who are angling to replace him -- but the French heart is once again, amazingly, growing fond of Chirac. Surveys in recent months have shown his approval ratings steadily increasing. And these days, more than half of French people actually feel good about their chameleonic 74-year-old president once again for the first time in years.

Chirac is known for the epic ups and downs of his presidency, but how is it that he has clawed his way back yet again? "It is normal because he isn't running for re-election," says Stéphane Rozès. "We don't have the sense that we are supporting someone with a personal career ahead of him, but rather, someone who has been president. We are remembering him as a consensual figure, not his more problematic sides."

Indeed, Chirac's final public acts as president are almost without exception unifying. Two days after the election, he will, for the last time, light the flame of the Unknown Soldier on the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. On May 10, he will commemorate the abolition of slavery. And then, some time before the end of the day on May 16, at the latest, he will hand power over to the nation's newly elected leader.

And at some point, Chirac will welcome the president-elect into the presidential bureau at the Elysée Palace for a private conversation. Outgoing president François Mitterrand surprised the incoming Jacques Chirac in 1995 by restoring the French presidential office to the exact state that it was in when President Charles de Gaulle left it in 1969. Mitterrand later recounted that he asked Chirac to "take care of the ducks" in the garden.

France's incoming leader will surely face great challenges and the sorts of ups and downs that have characterized all of France's modern presidents. Perhaps Chirac will remind him or her that if you endure until the end of your term(s), the French will give you a warm send-off.

Also of interest:

Chirac's Multifaceted Farewell

The Smell of Victory?

Video: Fareed Zakaria on What's Next for France