Figure 1.--The photo was taken in Marseille during 1908. Marseille is France's most important Meditrranean port. We suspect that the fathers of the working-class children here are primarily fishermen and dock workers. Notice the long pants and barefeet. Also only one boy wear a beret. Also notice the boxes the boys' hold. These were shoe shine kits. We do not know just when the photograph was taken, but we suspect that many of these children still did not attend school. A French reader tells us that this is unlikely.

The photo was taken in Marseille during 1908. Marseille is France's most important Meditrranean port. We suspect that the fathers of the working-class children here are primarily fishermen and dock workers. Notice the long pants and barefeet. Also only one boy wear a beret. Also notice the boxes the boys' hold. These were shoe shine kits. We do not know just when the photograph was taken, but we suspect that many of these children still did not attend school. A French reader tells us that this is unlikely.

A French reader has provided some details to understand this image. "In France, school is compulsory and entirely free since the pasage of the Jules Ferry Act of March 28, 1882. It would apply to all children, -girls and boy, without exception aged 6 to 13 years living on French territory. At the school, the duration of the week is 5 days. Each day begins at 8:30 to ends at 16: 30. Thursday is reserved for rest and studying the catechism. Sunday is a day without school. The school year has several Catholic holidays and long summer holidays too. Each mayor, even the smallest village, must hold a primary school under the supervision of the Academy Schools ( Education Nationale). The Prefect of the Republic shall verify the application of this Act. The local autorities must ensure that children are going regulary to school. Families offenders are fined. In 1908 the employment of children under 12 was prohibited. Only the familly domestic and farmer work are permit. The mayor, police and gendarmerie (county police force) to ensure enforcement of this Act. In 1908, many farmers in rural areas were poor, however, all their children attend school. They must be dressed appropriately (from head to feet) must wear a black smock ( called Sarrau) over their clothes, and have a schoolbag. All school supplies were free. In the Marseille image here we probably see boys of fishermen's family occupied with their boat. I am sure that these children attended schools, but this was a day without school. The one boys has taken off his shoes to go into the water. It must be said, all French children 1908 had shoes, because they were complusory at school. It is absolutely certain that all these boys are going to school. I guess, the shoeshine boys did this work occasionally. Boys under 13 years olsd, however, might draw the attention of the authorities. At the time, the Port of Marseille, was closely supervised. By 1908 when this photograph was taken, all children 6-12 years of age attended school. School-age children were not allowed to work in the streets.

HBC has done some limited work on French child labor laws

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Created: 6:50 PM 3/12/2012
Last updated: 12:53 AM 3/14/2012