French court mandates removal of controversial colonial-era place name in Biarritz

Friday 07 February 2025 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

French court mandates removal of controversial colonial-era place name in Biarritz

A landmark court ruling has ordered the coastal city of Biarritz to eliminate the name "La Negresse" from its historic district, marking a significant shift in France's ongoing reconciliation with its colonial past. The Bordeaux administrative court of appeal delivered its verdict on Thursday, determining that the controversial designation undermines human dignity and could be offensive to people of African descent.

The district's name, which translates to "negro woman" or "negress" in English, has uncertain origins. Historical records suggest it may have referenced a dark-skinned woman, possibly a former slave, who operated an inn in the area during the 19th century. Alternative theories link the name to a Gascon expression describing local clay soil.

The legal challenge began in 2019 when Memoires et Partages, an organization dedicated to addressing slavery and colonial legacies, approached Biarritz Mayor Maider Arosteguy about changing the name. Following the city's refusal in 2020, the association initiated legal proceedings.

The court's decision overturns a 2023 ruling by the Pau court, which had acknowledged the term's increasingly negative connotations but rejected the initial request for change. This latest verdict emphasizes that regardless of the name's origins, its current usage demeans racial identity and conflicts with human dignity principles.

Karfa Diallo, founder of Memoires et Partages, celebrated the ruling as "historic" and a victory for republican values. The association's lawyers, Colomba Grossi and William Bourdon, expressed satisfaction with the long-awaited decision.

The ruling carries additional symbolism as it was delivered from the Hotel Nairac, a mansion built in 1777 by a Bordeaux family reportedly involved in the African slave trade to America. This connection underscores France's complex relationship with its colonial history, which led to the country's formal recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001, over 150 years after its abolition in 1848.

The court has now mandated the city to remove both the district name and "rue de la Negresse" street designation, marking a significant step in addressing France's colonial legacy in public spaces.