Who are France's 'gens du voyage'?
Briefly

In France, an estimated 350,000 to 400,000 gens du voyage exist, yet media portrayals are predominantly negative, highlighting conflicts over land and community acceptance. The term refers to a group classified administratively, encompassing various ethnicities including Eastern Roms and Gitanos. While the majority lead settled lifestyles, only a small fraction remain itinerant. This disparate treatment respresents ongoing societal prejudice; a 2023 CNCDH report underscored the ongoing discrimination faced by Roma, reinforcing the visibility of cultural tensions amidst their historical presence in France.
"In mid-June 2025, headlines spotlighted gens du voyage facing exclusion in towns, a reflection of ongoing societal tensions surrounding their presence and lifestyle."
"The CNCDH report from 2023 highlighted that Roma remain the most stigmatised minority in France, indicating deep-rooted prejudice in society."
Read at The Local France
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