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Man in His 80s Becomes First in France to Formally Apologise for Family's Slavery Links
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 18, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 18, 2026
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An 86‑year‑old man in Nantes, Pierre Guillon de Prince, formally apologized for his family’s role in transatlantic slavery—the first such apology by a private individual in France—and called for broader acknowledgment and reparations.
First Formal Slavery Apology in France Issued by Pierre Guillon de Prince
Pierre Guillon de Prince's Historic Apology and Its Impact
By Catarina Demony
April 18 (Reuters) - A man in his 80s on Saturday issued what is believed to be the first formal apology by someone in France for their family's role in transatlantic slavery, saying he hoped others - including the government- would follow.
Family History and Nantes' Role in Slavery
Pierre Guillon de Prince's ancestors, based in Nantes, France's largest port for transatlantic slavery, were shipowners who transported around 4,500 enslaved Africans and owned plantations in the Caribbean.
Confronting the Past and Seeking Reparations
Guillon de Prince said other French families must confront their historical ties to slavery and the state should go beyond symbolic gestures to address the past, including through reparations.
"Faced with the rise of racism in our society, I felt a responsibility not to let this past be erased," the 86-year-old said, adding he wanted to pass the family history on to his grandchildren.
The Apology Event in Nantes
He delivered the apology to a gathering in Nantes ahead of the inauguration of an 18-metre replica ship mast, alongside Dieudonné Boutrin, a descendant of enslaved people from the Caribbean island of Martinique.
Role of Coque Nomade-Fraternité Association
The two work together at Coque Nomade-Fraternité, an association dedicated to "breaking the silence" around slavery, and said the mast would serve as a "beacon of humanity".
Reactions and Significance
"Many families of descendants of slave traders don't dare speak out for fear of reopening old wounds and anger," said Boutrin, 61. "Pierre's apology is a courageous act."
Historical Context of Transatlantic Slavery
From the 15th to the 19th century, at least 12.5 million Africans were abducted and forcibly transported, mostly on European ships. France trafficked an estimated 1.3 million people.
Guillon de Prince's move follows similar formal apologies - which include commitments to help repair the harm caused by ancestors - by some families in Britain and elsewhere.
Calls for Reparations Grow
France recognised transatlantic slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001 but, like most European countries, has never formally apologised for its role.
Government Actions and Ongoing Debates
During his terms in office, President Emmanuel Macron has expanded access to archives on France's colonial past. Last year, he said he would establish a commission to examine France's history with Haiti, without mentioning reparations.
Calls for reparations - ranging from official apologies to financial compensation - are growing worldwide, even as critics argue states and institutions should not be held responsible for historical crimes.
Recent Developments at the United Nations
Last month, France abstained at the United Nations from an Africa-led resolution declaring slavery the "gravest crime against humanity" and calling for reparations.
(Reporting by Catarina Demony in London. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Pierre Guillon de Prince’s apology marks an unprecedented personal reckoning in France with familial ties to the slave trade.
- •Nantes was France’s principal slave‑trading port, responsible for over 1,700 voyages and deporting hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans, underscoring the weight of this gesture (en.wikipedia.org).
- •France legally recognized slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001 (Taubira Law), yet has stopped short of formal national apologies or reparations—Guillon de Prince’s act intensifies calls for institutional action (link.springer.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Man in his 80s becomes first in France to formally apologise for family's slavery links
1Who is Pierre Guillon de Prince?
Pierre Guillon de Prince is a Frenchman in his 80s who issued the first formal apology in France for his family's role in the transatlantic slave trade.
2What makes this apology significant in France?
It is believed to be the first formal apology by a private citizen for family links to the transatlantic slave trade, urging wider acknowledgment and reparations.
3What role did Nantes play in the slave trade?
Nantes was France's largest port for transatlantic slavery, with many local families, including Guillon de Prince’s ancestors, involved in shipping enslaved Africans.
4Is France considering reparations for slavery?
Although there are growing calls for reparations, France has not formally apologised or offered compensation, though discussions and commissions are ongoing.
5What actions has the French government taken regarding its slavery history?
France recognised slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001 and has expanded access to colonial archives, but has not officially apologised or committed to reparations.
