France Confronts Its Colonial Past: The Code Noir

A Question Ignites Change

In May 2025, François Bayrou, then France’s prime minister, faced a surprising question in Parliament. A member inquired why France had not formally revoked the Code Noir, a set of laws that enforced slavery in its colonies. This question highlighted an often-overlooked issue since many did not realize these laws remained on the books. Bayrou expressed surprise, indicating that a bill to abolish the Code would soon be proposed, hoping for unanimous support. Although his government eventually fell, the Code persisted.

Movement Toward Annulment

A year later, on May 28, a bipartisan effort led by Max Mathiasin, a Guadeloupean lawmaker, will bring forth a bill in the National Assembly. The goal is to annul these slave laws, 341 years after King Louis XIV enacted them. This move, though primarily symbolic, highlights the deeply entrenched issues of France’s colonial slavery system.

The Legacy of the Code Noir

The Code Noir was the legal foundation for transforming African captives into “movable goods,” or inheritable human property. Some might view this as primarily a tool for colonial profit, but the laws also reflected Louis XIV’s conservative Catholic views. Notably, the first article expelled Jews from Caribbean colonies instead of addressing enslaved Black people.

The Code offered a disturbing trade-off: enslaved Africans lost freedom but gained the promise of eternal salvation through Christ. For Louis XIV, this represented a pivotal element of his slave economy. Unlike English colonies like early Virginia, which avoided baptizing captives due to Protestant beliefs, Catholic colonies saw baptism as crucial.

Religion and Exploitation

Religious orders like the Jesuits operated plantations to support their missions and educate both enslaved and free populations. A notable example is Dominican priest Jean-Baptiste Labat, who managed a sugar plantation in Martinique in the 1690s. While responsible for baptizing enslaved individuals, Labat also inflicted severe punishments on those practicing African religions. His actions reflected the Code Noir’s intent, showcasing how benevolence and cruelty intertwined in the system.