France Repeals Slavery-Era 'Code Noir' After 25 Years, Prompting Reparations Debate

France has finally repealed the 'Code Noir' that regulated slavery in its colonies, nearly 180 years after abolishing slavery. This move is reigniting debates on reparations and addressing the lasting legacies of colonialism and racial inequality.

Tue Jun 02 2026

France's 'Code Noir' Repealed, Opening New Debates

France has finally repealed the 'Code Noir' (Black Code), a law enacted in 1685 by Louis XIV that effectively regulated slavery in French colonies. This code classified enslaved people as property, allowing them to be worked, beaten, sold, raped, and even killed. Although France abolished slavery in 1848, the 'Code Noir' remained on its statute books for nearly 180 years. Olivette Otele, a historian and professor at SOAS University of London, explained that the law was an attempt by colonists and slaveholders to regulate the lives of people in the colonies. It was also driven by the Versailles government's fear of miscegenation and its desire to protect France's colonial and trading interests.

Legacies of Slavery and Calls for Reparations Intensify

Otele highlighted that France ran the world's third-largest slave trade, making the repeal a significant moment for broader discussions about France's history, particularly concerning reparations. Last week, during a ceremony at the Élysée Palace, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the debate around reparations. He explained France's abstention during a UN resolution vote on slavery and stated that reparations should not have an end date, as the violence is still felt today. However, Otele noted that many had hoped for an apology and a commitment to financial reparations, neither of which President Macron provided. She welcomed the discussion as it allows for reflection on the legacies of the past and addressing existing inequalities in French territories such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, and Réunion. These regions, which became French overseas departments in 1946, are among the poorest in France. Otele emphasized that racism remains a reality for these populations, affecting access to healthcare, education, and social mobility, often based on skin color rather than skills. She concluded that these issues demand urgent change.