A descendant of slave traders publicly apologized for the crimes committed by his ancestors during the inauguration of the “Mast of Fraternity in Nantes” on Saturday, April 18, 2026. In front of institutional, diplomatic, and civil society representatives, Pierre Guillon de Princé, 86, acknowledged an “overwhelming” past and recognized the moral responsibility linked to the legacy of slavery.
“It is a relief for me, as a descendant of a family of slave ship owners from Nantes, to be able to apologize for the actions of my ancestors to a representative of the Haitian people, Mr. Louino Volcy, Haiti’s ambassador to France,” he said, as reported by Franceinfo.
This statement, praised as an act of courage, marks a shift in the attitude of descendants of families involved in the slave trade, opening the way for more direct recognition of historical crimes.
Jean-Marc Ayrault, from the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery, highlighted the importance of this gesture, calling it a key moment in the journey toward shared memory. He noted that while descendants are not responsible for their ancestors’ actions, they can help address their consequences.
He also stressed the need to go beyond remembrance and tackle the issue of reparations, particularly referencing Haiti’s historical indemnity imposed by France in 1825. He called for “strong actions” in favor of the Haitian people.
Haiti’s ambassador to France, Louino Volcy, welcomed the initiative and said the statement would be conveyed to Haitian authorities.
At a time when the effects of slavery remain visible through inequality and structural racism, such initiatives contribute to building more balanced relations between former colonial powers and formerly colonized nations.
The monument unveiled is a replica of the mast of the slave ship “L’Aurore,” overlooking the port of Nantes, a historic departure point for transatlantic slave trade expeditions.
