The social situation in the French suburbs, known as banlieues, is a complex topic. At times it has resulted in civil unrest, notably the civil unrest of autumn 2005. The word banlieue, which is French for "suburb," does not necessarily refer to an environment of social disenfranchisement. Indeed, there exist many wealthy suburbs, such as Neuilly-sur-Seine (the wealthiest commune of France) and Versailles outside Paris. Nevertheless, the term ban...
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The social situation in the French suburbs, known as banlieues, is a complex topic. At times it has resulted in civil unrest, notably the civil unrest of autumn 2005. The word banlieue, which is French for "suburb," does not necessarily refer to an environment of social disenfranchisement. Indeed, there exist many wealthy suburbs, such as Neuilly-sur-Seine (the wealthiest commune of France) and Versailles outside Paris. Nevertheless, the term banlieues has often been used to describe troubled suburban communities—those with high unemployment, high crime rates, and frequently, a high proportion of residents of foreign origin.
The destruction of World War II, coupled with an increase in the country's population (due both to immigration and natural increase) left France with a severe housing shortage. During the 1950s, shantytowns (bidonvilles) developed on the outskirts of major cities. During the winter of 1955, popular priest Abbé Pierre urged the government to work on behalf of the...
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