Les Amies et Amis de la Commune de Paris 1871
The oldest still-active organization of the French workers' movement, founded in 1882 by returning Communards to keep alive the memory and history of the 1871 Paris Commune.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Les Amies et Amis de la Commune de Paris 1871 is a French association founded in 1882 by Communards returning from exile and deportation, with the aim of preserving and promoting the history and memory of the Paris Commune of 1871. Its motto is "Le cadavre est à terre mais l'idée est debout" ("The corpse is on the ground but the idea stands upright"). It is the oldest still-active organization of the French workers' movement. The association traces its origins to the aftermath of the 1871 Commune and the amnesty of 1880. In 1881, the "Solidarité des proscrits de 1871" was created, which later became the "Association des amis de la Commune". Over the decades, it changed names several times, reflecting its evolution from a mutual-aid society for aging Communards to a broader historical and memorial association open to friends and sympathizers. It was reconstituted in 1962 under the leadership of Emmanuel Fleury, with Jacques Duclos as president, and has since grown into a significant commemorative and educational organization. Today, the association maintains a permanent office and bookstore at 46, rue des Cinq-Diamants in the Butte-aux-Cailles quarter of Paris. It publishes brochures and an annual bulletin, organizes annual banquets, commemorates the beginning of the Commune on 18 March with a demonstration in Paris, and holds a climb to the Mur des Fédérés at Père-Lachaise cemetery on the last day of the Commune, gathering dozens of associations, unions, and political parties. In 2021, it counted 2,161 members. The association also engages in contemporary issues, choosing annual themes such as "Les Services Publics sous la Commune" for 2026, and participates in public campaigns, such as the call for the panthéonisation of George Sand. As a non-profit association under the French law of 1901, it is not a commercial brand but a historical and memorial organization. Its activities include publishing, guided tours, conferences, and advocacy for the memory of the Commune and its ideals of democracy, peace, and social progress.
History
The association now known as Les Amies et Amis de la Commune de Paris 1871 was founded in 1882 by Communards returning from exile and deportation, following the amnesty of 11 July 1880. Its purpose was to keep alive the memory of the Paris Commune of 1871 and to defend its ideals. It is the oldest still-active organization of the French workers' movement. The immediate predecessor was the "Solidarité des proscrits de 1871", created on 21 November 1881 on the initiative of Henry Louis Champy, with Berthier as secretary and Cadolle as treasurer. This group changed its name several times: "Solidarité des militants de 1871" in 1884, then "Société fraternelle des anciens combattants de la Commune" in 1889. The members, known as the Fraternelle, helped former Communards and their families, engaged in militant actions, participated in the political quarrels of the time (Boulangist agitation, the Dreyfus affair), and organized funerals for former comrades. An annual banquet brought members together. After the French law of 1901 on associations, the Fraternelle transformed in 1905 into the "Association fraternelle des anciens combattants de la Commune". On 21 May 1908, a plaque was placed on the Mur des Fédérés at Père-Lachaise cemetery, and on 22 May 1910 a monument to the dead of the Commune was erected at Montparnasse cemetery through a popular subscription. As the number of surviving Communards declined, the association opened up to friends and sympathizers and in 1914 took the title "Association des anciens combattants et amis de la Commune". During World War I, it sided with the Union sacrée while expressing some criticism of the government. The interwar period saw political and trade-union dissensions that weakened the association. In 1929, it became the "Association des vétérans et des amis de la Commune". The Occupation period suppressed the association's activities, which resumed without vigor until 1957. In 1962, it was revived under the impetus of Emmanuel Fleury, a postal worker, trade unionist, and communist; Jacques Duclos became president. A solemn appeal was launched: "En redonnant vie à l'Association des Amis de la Commune de Paris, nous avons voulu... assurer la présence agissante en France d'un groupement d'hommes et de femmes conscients de l'importance historique de la révolution parisienne du 18 mars 1871..." The reconstitution of the "Association des amis de la Commune (1871)" was published in the Journal officiel on 15 July 1962. It appeared publicly on 23 March 1963 with the placing of a plaque in memory of Zéphirin Camélinat at 137, rue de Belleville. The tradition of annual banquets was revived and an annual bulletin was published. With the approach of the centenary of the Commune, the association was extremely active. At the Fête de l'Humanité in 1970, its stand presented an exhibition of period posters and gathered 300 memberships. The national commemoration of 1971 was a success, with many debates, publications, and exhibitions. For the 140th anniversary, a "Paris communard" trail was launched, along with other festivities in front of Paris City Hall. In 2013, the association feminized its name to "Les Amies et Amis de la Commune de Paris 1871". In 2021, it counted 2,161 members. A permanent office including a bookstore and a significant documentary collection is located at 46, rue des Cinq-Diamants, in the Butte-aux-Cailles quarter. Numerous brochures and a bulletin are published, the tradition of annual banquets is perpetuated, and a demonstration is organized in Paris each year for the first day of the Commune, 18 March, among other activities. The association also commemorates the last day of the Commune with a climb to the Mur des Fédérés that gathers about forty associations, unions, and political parties. The association has been led by a series of presidents, including Edmond Goupil (1905-1918), Élie May (1918-1929), Zéphirin Camélinat (1929-1932), Charles Rappoport (1932-1937), Francis Jourdain (1937-1957), Jacques Duclos (1962-1975), Jean Bruhat (1975-1983), Claude Willard (1983-2003), Jean-Louis Robert (2003-2015), Claudine Rey (2007-2013), Roger Martelli and Joël Ragonneau (2015-2022), and since 2022 Sylvie Braibant and Joël Ragonneau. Today, the association continues its mission of historical research, publication, and commemoration, while also engaging with contemporary social and political issues, as reflected in its annual themes and public campaigns.
- 2022
Sylvie Braibant and Joël Ragonneau become co-presidents.
- 2021
Association counts 2,161 members.
- 2013
Association feminizes its name to "Les Amies et Amis de la Commune de Paris 1871".
- 1971
National commemoration of the centenary of the Commune is a success.
- 1970
At the Fête de l'Humanité, the association's stand gathers 300 memberships.
- 1963
Public reappearance on 23 March with a plaque for Zéphirin Camélinat at 137, rue de Belleville.
- 1962
Reconstituted under Emmanuel Fleury; Jacques Duclos becomes president. Published in Journal officiel on 15 July.
- 1929
Renamed "Association des vétérans et des amis de la Commune".
- 1914
Renamed "Association des anciens combattants et amis de la Commune".
- 1910
Monument to the dead of the Commune erected at Montparnasse cemetery on 22 May.
Products and positioning
Historical and memorial association dedicated to preserving the memory and history of the Paris Commune of 1871, and to promoting its ideals of democracy, peace, and social progress.
Bulletin annuel
Annual bulletin published by the association, featuring articles on the history of the Commune and current issues.
Brochures and thematic dossiers
Publications on various aspects of the Commune, such as public services, education, and key figures.
Paris communard trail
A guided walking tour of Paris focused on sites of the Commune.
Marketing campaigns
- Panthéonisation of George Sand
- Fête de la Commune
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