A history of French immigration since 1870.

After France’s defeat in 1870 by the Prussians and the fall of its Second Empire, the reestablished republic decided to build a real nation. In each village and neighborhood, in schools, and under the flag, everyone had to feel French. Today, one-quarter of the French population has roots outside the country. From the Third Republic to our time, this book illustrates the making of a nation through its immigration history. This is the story of Italians, Poles, Armenians, Russians, Spaniards, Portuguese, Algerians, Malians, Cambodians… and all those who came to make a new life in France.