France's National Assembly voted unanimously on May 13, 2025 [1], to repeal the Code Noir, the legal framework governing slavery under the Ancien Régime.
The move removes a historical legal relic from the French books. While some legal interpretations suggested the texts no longer held practical power, others maintained the Code remained juridically active [2], creating a contradiction in the state's legal standing regarding human rights.
The Code Noir was originally enacted in 1685 [2] by King Louis XIV. It established the rules for the treatment and ownership of enslaved people in the French colonies. The decision to formally abrogate the text follows a recognition that its continued existence in the legal record was incompatible with modern democratic values.
President Emmanuel Macron supported the repeal, and said the continued existence of the texts was "une trahison de ce qu’est la République" [1].
The legislative process was accelerated after François Bayrou expressed surprise that the code had not been formally abolished. "Je l'ignorais" [3], Bayrou said on May 13, 2025, referring to the fact that the 17th-century laws were still technically on the books. He subsequently committed to ensuring the repeal took place [3].
All deputies in the National Assembly voted in favor of the measure [1]. The vote marks a symbolic and legal break from the era of state-sanctioned slavery, a step the government viewed as essential for the integrity of the Republic's legal system.
“"une trahison de ce qu’est la République"”
The formal repeal of the Code Noir resolves a long-standing legal anomaly where laws from 1685 remained technically active despite centuries of contradictory human rights legislation. By removing these texts, France eliminates a symbolic contradiction in its legal code, aligning its statutory history with the universal values of the Republic.
