piedsnoirs

The pieds-noirs, literally "black feet," is a historical term used primarily for people of European origin who lived in French North Africa during the colonial period, especially in Algeria. The community was mainly French but also included Spaniards, Italians, Maltese, and, in some cases, Algerian Jews who aligned with the settler population. The term is used in historical and cultural discussions to denote a distinct social milieu within the French colonial project.

In Algeria, pieds-noirs formed a significant minority in urban centers and rural settlements, often owning land, businesses, or holding professional posts in the colonial administration. They maintained separate churches, schools, newspapers, and social organizations, while maintaining strong ties to metropolitan France and its political and cultural institutions.

From 1954 to 1962, the Algerian War for independence precipitated a mass exodus of pieds-noirs. After independence in 1962, estimates range from hundreds of thousands up to about a million people leaving Algeria for France and other destinations, often amid expropriations and security concerns. Some remained briefly or settled in other countries, and descendants continue to live in France and elsewhere.

Today, the term remains part of discussions about memory, colonial history, and migration. Pieds-noirs have influenced French culture and literature, while debates about their experience touch on questions of identity, belonging, and the legacy of decolonization.