France ruled a quarter of North America and much of the Caribbean in the 18th century. Her colonial soldiers wore some of the most distinctive dress of the period.
Quick answer. French colonial uniforms of the 18th century included the famous grey white coat with blue facings of the Compagnies Franches de la Marine (naval infantry serving in New France and the Caribbean), the standard white coat of the troupes de terre (regular army) in Louisiana and the Antilles, and the varied dress of the Canadian militia (civilian clothes with capotes and tuques). Officers wore full French regulation uniform. The look was broadly French but adapted to New World conditions.
The Compagnies Franches de la Marine
The Compagnies Franches de la Marine (independent companies of the marines) were France's main colonial infantry in New France, Louisiana and the Caribbean. Formed in 1683, each company was 30 to 50 men commanded by a captain, often operating independently in frontier posts. Dress: a grey white wool coat with blue facings (collar, cuffs, lapels, turnbacks), blue waistcoat, grey white breeches, long black gaiters, tricorne with gold lace, white or yellow buttons. The compagnies franches fought alongside Canadian militia and Native American allies through the long North American wars of the 18th century.
In practice, officers often adapted. The compagnie officers of Louisbourg wore blue coats with gold lace and officers in frontier posts in New France dressed in wool capotes (hooded blanket coats) and moccasins for winter patrol. The regulation uniform was for parade and formal duty; the field dress was practical.
Troupes de terre in the colonies
From the 1750s France sent regular army regiments (troupes de terre) to reinforce its colonies. Regiments like La Reine, Bearn, Guyenne and Royal Roussillon fought under Montcalm at Fort Carillon and Quebec. These regiments wore the standard French white wool coat with regimental facings (red for La Reine, dark blue for Bearn, red for Royal Roussillon), white waistcoat and breeches, long black gaiters, tricorne. The dress was indistinguishable from a French regiment in Europe, which was both a strength (ceremonial grandeur) and a weakness (impractical for forest warfare).
Canadian militia
The Canadian militia was universal for male settlers. Dress was civilian: a long wool capote (hooded coat) in grey, white or green, a sash around the waist, deerskin breeches or trousers, mitasses (woollen leggings) and moccasins. The red wool tuque (knitted cap) became the signature headgear of the Canadian militia. In winter, the militia added wool mittens and fur hats. The whole dress was perfectly adapted to Canadian conditions and remained in use well into the 19th century. During the Seven Years War the Canadian militia operated alongside Native American warriors and the compagnies franches in raids on New England settlements.
Louisiana and the Antilles
French Louisiana had its own compagnies franches de la marine, uniformed in grey white with blue facings like those in Canada. The Antilles (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Domingue) had larger garrison forces, including both compagnies franches and army regiments. The tropical heat forced practical modifications: white linen or cotton trousers and waistcoats replaced wool, and the standard French white coat was sometimes abandoned entirely in favour of a white linen jacket. French marine artillery served the fortifications in blue coats with red facings.
The end of French colonies
France lost most of her North American empire in the Seven Years War, with Canada ceded to Britain in 1763 and Louisiana transferred to Spain. The compagnies franches de la marine disbanded in Canada when the British took over. In Louisiana they continued under Spanish command. The Antilles kept French uniforms through the Revolutionary era. The Haitian Revolution of 1791 to 1804 saw former French colonial forces turn against the colonial system, and the resulting Haitian army uniform retained many French elements through the 19th century.
Common questions
What were the Compagnies Franches de la Marine?
Independent companies of French colonial infantry, serving in New France, Louisiana and the Caribbean from 1683 onwards.
What colour was the French colonial uniform?
Grey white with blue facings for the Compagnies Franches de la Marine. White with regimental facings for the regular army. Civilian dress for Canadian militia.
Did the French really wear white coats?
Yes. The French regular infantry wore the famous white coat (actually a greyish undyed wool) from the 17th century until the Revolution. The colour was practical and economical in France.
What is a capote?
A long hooded wool coat worn by Canadian militia and settlers. Grey, white or green, with a sash around the waist. Perfectly adapted to Canadian winters.
Where can I see French colonial uniforms?
Fort Louisbourg in Nova Scotia, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site in Canada, and the Musee des Troupes de Marine in Frejus, France all have excellent collections.