Nerdy, royalism?
If it was not uncommon to come across monarchists in the last century, their existence today is perceived as an incongruity by a majority of French people.
When they are not considered a dangerous far-right movement.
However, according to a BVA poll published in 2016, 17% of French people would see the presidential function being carried out by a king.
A figure identical to that of another poll, dating from 2007, confirming that there is indeed an established and stable royalist base.
Once influential and structuring, Action Française, a historical movement of French royalism, however, today has little to do with the political party and school of thought that it was for a good part of the 20th century. .
Although the movement still prides itself on preparing for the return of the monarchy, its number of members has increased from several tens of thousands in the middle of the 20th century to 3,000 in 2018. Very heterogeneous, the various monarchist movements are no longer united under one one and the same banner.
Every January 21, France rediscovers its royalists, almost with astonishment.
On this date, just 230 years ago, King Louis XVI was guillotined in the Place de Grève by the revolutionaries.
Every year, monarchists or simple history enthusiasts commemorate the memory of the sovereign whom they consider a “
martyr
”.
This Saturday again, requiem masses will take place throughout France, and a torchlight procession will go to the Expiatory Chapel, where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were buried in 1793.
something sacred
Far from caricatures but slightly anachronistic, these events do not only bring together reactionary old men.
“
A multitude of young people, eager to be in touch with their History
”, go for example every January 21 to the Saint Eugène-Sainte Cécile church, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, underlines Father Jean-François Thomas, Jesuit priest who will deliver the homily there this Saturday.
But also at the Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois church, in the 1st arrondissement.
The latter mainly brings together the Orleanist branch, which designates the House of Orleans as heir to the kings of France, and thus opposes the Legitimists, supporters of the Bourbon branch.
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Some take the event very seriously.
The day of Madeleine, high school history and geography teacher, will be “
literally dedicated to this commemoration
”.
Dressed in black as a sign of mourning, the 27-year-old young woman, a former AF activist, will lay a wreath in the morning at Place de la Concorde (formerly Place de Grève).
Like every year since she came of age, she will then go to mass at Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois and join the torchlight procession organized by the Souvenir de Louis XVI collective at the end of the day.
This association, created four years ago by a group of friends, intends to “
revive the image of the monarchy by paying homage to the martyr king
”.
There is something quite Christlike in the death of Louis XVI, a sacrificial side.
Robin, History student
"
It's almost a dimension of religious celebration
," she explains.
There is something very sacred in this day, which I experience as a sort of solitary pilgrimage
”.
Robin, 21, a history student from the North, and currently in retraining to become an artisan brewer, anticipated the strikes to go to Paris and not miss the commemorations.
He too feels this spiritual dimension: “
There is something quite Christlike in the death of Louis XVI, a sacrificial side
,” he believes.
A reasoning that Father Thomas will not refute: “
For a Catholic monarchist, it is important to pray for the dead and the salvation of the soul of the deceased
”.
monarchy versus republic
But this day of January 21 is also eminently political.
"
Organizing masses is very respectable, but this day is not only a commemoration
", confirms Antoine, 20 years old and member of the Remembrance of Louis XVI.
“
The association was founded to bring together young people who see the future of France in the monarchy
,” confides the young man, also a history student.
“
The goal is really to break down the divisions between the different royalist groups, but also to attract curious non-royalists who are interested in history.
“Abounds Henri, a 25-year-old engineer, co-founder of the collective.
Organized for four years, the torchlight march brought together more than 1,000 people last year, according to him.
It will be followed this Saturday by an evening on a Parisian barge.
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In addition to the restoration of the monarchy, royalists from all walks of life intend to work for the defense of the national interest, while awaiting the return of the king.
Patriotism is at the heart of their fight, and it is in this sense that they are frequently referred to as “
nationalists
” or “extreme right”.
The torchlight march on January 21 is also intended to mark the spirits, and to convey messages.
"
We are not calling for the king's return, that would be to delude ourselves
," smiles Madeleine.
But "
Louis XVI's action could inspire governance today, at a time when 49-3 and unilateral decisions have become the norm
", suggests Robin, who will also go to the march to "
recall that the Republic did not make France
”.
"
When we see the repression in the demonstrations of "yellow vests
"
or against the pension reform, we can only see the perversity of the current political regime
", adds Henri, recalling that "
Louis XVI had not wanted to fire on the crowd at the Tuileries
”.
Taste for history and political will
These assertive young monarchists have one thing in common: a taste and passion for history.
Madeleine was rocked as a child by the
Little History of France
by Jacques Bainville, monarchist historian and major figure of French Action.
Born into a very royalist family environment, she was "
always taught to consider the monarchy
".
Robin himself forged himself, without any particular heritage: “
I discovered royalism and political thought with my final year philosophy classes and I found them very relevant
”.
And outside of January 21?
Some are politically involved in Action Française or “
in more active political movements today
”.
Others think of getting involved because "
politics is everyone's business: we are men in a city
".
"
Today, more than campaigning in the street, the fact of embodying ideas and matching them with one's actions has a real political meaning
", assures Robin.
"
Young people are thirsty to have roots, to find a soil in which to anchor themselves
", summarizes Father Thomas by way of conclusion.