Pre-War Algeria’s Multicultural Life Shattered by 1954 Uprising Against French Rule

France - Circa 1960: Footage captures the vibrant and multicultural life of pre-war Algeria, where Muslims and French residents coexist in daily routines—shopping in shared markets, enjoying quiet afternoons at cafés, and mingling at beachside milk bars. The camera explores the Casbah, the storied Muslim quarter steeped in history and legend. Along Algeria’s Mediterranean coastline, scenes of carefree beach life mirror the French Riviera, with sunbathers, brief swimsuits, and relaxed romance. But this idyllic atmosphere is disrupted on the night of November 1st, 1954, marking the outbreak of the Algerian revolt against French rule—a turning point that forever altered the relationship between European settlers and Algerian Muslims.(Footage by Roberto Machado Noa/Getty Images)