France's Dark Chapters – Guided Tour

Join this guided tour and experience the echoes of history. Although some chapters in a country’s past can be dark, they are important to tell. On this 2.5-hour walking tour, you will visit key locations in Paris related to the era of slavery, France’s time as a colonial power, and the movements that fought to abolish colonization and slavery. It’s a fascinating tour focusing on history, politics, and society, led by guides of African descent.

In France, slavery was challenged by secular circles emphasizing the violation of natural rights. Slavery was briefly abolished during the Revolution under the motto “liberty, equality, and fraternity,” but reinstated under Napoleon and only permanently banned in 1848.

You will pass buildings, monuments, and sites in central Paris that played a significant role in events from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Hear about the key figures, see where important meetings were held, and where pivotal decisions were made. The tour also draws comparisons with other European countries, such as England, which had a strong influence on the abolitionist movement.

The tour includes bus and metro transport, and you are responsible for purchasing your own tickets or travel passes.

The content-rich historical tour can be concluded with a visit to an African restaurant (optional).