The vibrant streets of 19th-century France, where Savate was born from a fusion of raw street fighting and refined technique. From the sailors of Marseille to the shadowy alleys of Paris, this uniquely French martial art evolved into a disciplined and elegant sport. Dive into the fascinating origins of la boxe française and uncover how its gritty beginnings laid the foundation for a global martial arts phenomenon.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of La Boxe Française
Savate originated in 19th-century France as a fusion of regional fighting styles, each contributing unique techniques and strategies.
- Chausson: A southern kicking art popular with sailors.
- Savate des Rues: A northern French street-fighting style from Paris.
- English boxing: Influencing the incorporation of punches.
Chausson
In the south, especially in the port of Marseille, sailors developed a fighting style involving high kicks and open-handed slaps. This kicking style was adapted to allow the fighter to use a hand for balance on a rocking ship’s deck. The kicks and slaps were also used on land to avoid legal penalties for using a closed fist, considered a deadly weapon under the law. The sport was known as ‘jeu marseillais’ (the game from Marseille) and was later renamed Chausson (slipper) after the type of shoes the sailors wore.
Chausson, a high-kicking style popular among sailors in Marseille, was eventually incorporated into the development of modern savate.
Parisian Street Fighting
Savate des Rues was used for self-defence by those engaging with the wilder side of society, especially among the upper class needing to protect themselves in riskier areas like Parisian red light districts. This type of savate, a development in the slums of Paris, always used heavy shoes and boots, hinting at its potential military origins. Street fighting savate, unlike Chausson, kept the kicks low, targeting below the groin with bone-breaking intent. Parisian savate also featured open-hand blows, palm strikes (la baffe) aimed at facial nerves, and training included knee and elbow strikes, along with locks, sweeps, throws, headbutts, and takedowns.
Savate des Rues was a self-defense art for those navigating society’s wilder side, including the upper class in risky areas like Parisian red-light districts.
Savate emerges
The creators of the sport were Michel Casseux and his student Charles Lecour. Casseux and Lecour codified and organised the various fighting styles of the north and south into a unified combat art. Over time, Savate evolved into an actual sport known as ‘la boxe française’. Casseux developed the street fighting elements of the art, opening the first practice establishment in 1825. It was at this location that he taught a regulated version of Chausson and Savate, disallowing headbutting, eye gouging, grappling, and similar tactics.
Michel Casseux and Charles Lecour unified regional fighting styles into the refined combat sport of la boxe française, laying its foundations in the 19th century.
English Boxing
Lecour further developed the sport, adding English boxing skills to the mix. He recognized the value of English fist-fighting techniques after losing a friendly sparring match to English boxer Owen Swift. This loss prompted significant technical changes in Savate. Following his defeat, Lecour trained in boxing for a time, eventually integrating boxing elements with Chausson and Savate to create the sport la boxe française, as we know it today.
Early bouts with English boxers led Savate to adopt boxing hand strikes, refining its style.
Savate's Continued Development
Under Lecour’s successors, such as Joseph Charlemont, Savate evolved further. Charlemont incorporated cane and baton self-defence techniques, expanding its utility. His book L’Art de la Boxe Française codified Savate as a regulated sport, leading to its recognition as a formal discipline. By World War I, figures like Count Pierre Baruzy had established the first professional regulatory body, further modernising and promoting the sport.
Joseph Charlemont L’Art de la Boxe Française codified Savate as a regulated sport. He also expanded Savate to include cane and baton defence techniques.
Canne de Combat
Under Lecour’s successors, such as Joseph Charlemont, Savate evolved further. Charlemont also incorporated cane and baton techniques into his training, laying the foundation for what would become Canne de Combat, a weapons-based martial art that evolved alongside Savate. Formalised by Charlemont in the 19th century and further refined by his son, Charles Charlemont, Canne de Combat combines striking, blocking, and evasive manoeuvres performed with a light wooden cane. Sharing Savate’s emphasis on footwork and mobility, it was promoted as both a self-defense art and a sport. Practised today as both a traditional martial art and a competitive discipline, Canne de Combat blends practical self-defense with artistic expression.
Canne de Combat
Savate D’Apache: Parisian Street Fighting
During the Belle Époque (late 19th and early 20th centuries), a period of cultural and industrial flourishing in France from the 1870s to the outbreak of World War I, Paris also faced significant social upheaval. Amid the city’s rapid urbanisation and stark class divides, the Apaches, notorious street gangs, emerged as a symbol of this darker side of the era. Known for their violent and calculated tactics, the Apaches developed a unique blend of street-fighting skills that included striking, grappling, and the use of improvised weapons like knives, clubs, and belts, often combined with psychological intimidation.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Paris’s streets were notorious for the Apaches, violent gangs whose clashes with law enforcement led to the development of specialised police units trained in Savate and other combat techniques to restore order.
Their infamy inspired the development of Savate D’Apache, a practical street-fighting system derived from traditional Savate and adapted for urban survival. In response to the Apache threat, the French government established the Brigades du Tigre (Tiger Brigades), elite police units who trained in Savate D’Apache and integrated its techniques with modern policing strategies to combat gang violence. The Apache era came to an abrupt end with the outbreak of World War I, as many gang members were conscripted and lost in the war, leaving their violent legacy behind.
Défense dans la Rue
Emerging from the tumultuous Belle Époque and heavily influenced by Savate d’Apache, Défense dans la Rue evolved as a distinct branch focused on practical self-defence. It preserved elements of Chausson and Parisian street fighting while adapting to the realities of urban violence. Characterised by low, bone-breaking kicks, open-hand strikes, and close-quarters techniques such as locks, sweeps, and headbutts, this approach reflects a survival-oriented ethos. Unlike the sportive version of Savate, Défense dans la Rue prioritises practicality and effectiveness, integrating weapons defence and grappling for a comprehensive self-defence system.
Rooted in the need for self-defense on the violent streets of 19th-century Paris, Défense dans la Rue evolved as a practical system, blending Savate’s street-fighting techniques with a focus on survival and adaptability.
This branch remains a cornerstone of Savate, maintaining its focus on adaptability and efficiency. Its techniques are particularly relevant for law enforcement and personal protection, addressing unpredictable and dangerous situations. The inclusion of weapons defence, such as the use of canes and batons, underscores its historical military influences. Today, Défense dans la Rue is often featured in self-defence courses, offering a testament to Savate’s enduring versatility and real-world applicability.
World War I - Military and Self-Defense Applications:
During World War I, the practical nature of Savate was recognised and further developed for military and law enforcement purposes. Its techniques were adapted to meet the needs of soldiers and officers, focusing on efficient self-defence methods for high-stress situations. This included unarmed combat techniques, the use of batons, and strategies for disarming armed attackers. These adaptations highlighted Savate’s versatility and practicality, solidifying its reputation as a martial art that is both elegant and highly functional in real-world scenarios.
During World War I, Savate’s practicality was honed for military and law enforcement, evolving into an efficient system of unarmed combat, weapon techniques, and disarming strategies for high-stress situations.
Late 20th Century - International Growth:
By the late 20th century, Savate had grown into a global sport, with practitioners worldwide embracing its blend of athleticism, artistry, and structured competitive categories.
Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do
Bruce Lee sought to fuse practical techniques from various martial arts, including Savate, into his own philosophy of Jeet Kune Do.
Bruce Lee incorporated Savate’s precise kicks, including the coup de pied bas and chassé bas, along with its strategic footwork and adaptability, into his Jeet Kune Do philosophy, enhancing its versatility and fluidity.
La Boxe Francaise emerges internationally
One of the greatest Savate fighters, Francois Pennacchio, made a significant impact by defeating renowned Muay Thai fighters at a time when Muay Thai seemed almost unbeatable against other martial arts. Pennacchio’s most famous victory came in a unanimous decision over Ramon Dekkers.
François Pennacchio’s victory over Muay Thai legend Ramon Dekkers showcased Savate’s technical sophistication and adaptability, cementing its place in global martial arts history.
In this iconic bout—Savate vs. Muay Thai—the fighters competed under kickboxing rules, presenting challenges for both. Pennacchio’s rapid and precise kicking techniques proved a formidable strategy against Dekkers’ more static style. The match highlighted the effectiveness of fluidity and speed in countering power and aggression. Pennacchio’s constant movement allowed him to evade Dekkers’ forceful Thai kicks, which often struck empty space where the Savate master had just been.
The Future of Savate
The future of Savate looks promising as it continues to evolve and gain recognition on the global stage. Already a staple in international martial arts, Savate has solidified its presence through events like the World Combat Games, standing alongside other prestigious combat sports. Its inclusion in these games highlights its growing appeal and reinforces its status as a technically refined and spectator-friendly discipline.
The future of Savate shines brightly as it gains global recognition, with its inclusion in the World Combat Games cementing its status as a refined and captivating martial art.
Efforts are underway to expand Savate’s reach, with national federations and the Fédération Internationale de Savate (FIS) working to introduce the art to new audiences worldwide. There is a growing push for its inclusion in larger multi-sport events, potentially paving the way for Olympic recognition. Beyond competition, Savate’s versatility as both a sport and a self-defence system ensures its continued relevance, appealing to practitioners of all skill levels. With its rich heritage and dynamic adaptability, Savate is poised to inspire and engage future generations of fighters and enthusiasts.
Savate’s blend of sport and self-defense, combined with its rich heritage and adaptability, promises to inspire and engage future generations of martial artists worldwide.
