French Archives
Archives nationales d’outre-mer
The Archives nationales d’outre-mer (ANOM, The Overseas National Archives) in Aix-en-Provence, France, houses extensive collections related to French colonial history, including Vietnam and Indochina. The archive holds documents from French administrative, military, and legal institutions during the colonial period. These materials are crucial for understanding the governance, economy, and social structure of French colonies. I visited the archive as part of my research on French colonial involvement in Vietnam, using its vast collection of records to explore how colonial policies impacted the political landscape of Vietnam during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Service historique de la Défense
The Service historique de la Défense (SHD, the Defense Historical Service) in Vincennes is one of France’s premier military archives, housing extensive records on French military history. It is an essential resource for researchers studying French involvement in Indochina and military conflict during the First Indochina War (1946-1954). I visited the archive in September 2023 to explore materials related to my research on Vietnam. As a historical note, the archive is located in the Château de Vincennes, a 14th-century royal residence that once served as the home of French kings.
