The Catholic newspaper that once fueled antisemitism and later apologized for its role

Entertainment · Published 2 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born as a monthly magazine in 1880, La Croix evolved into a French daily with a complex legacy. While it now covers everything from science to cinema, the publication's history is marked by a dark chapter of political complicity and a profound, modern-day reckoning with its own past.

Founded by Father Emmanuel d'Alzon, La Croix transitioned from a monthly news magazine to a daily newspaper on 16 June 1883. Originally run by the Augustinians of the Assumption, the paper sought to provide a platform for Catholics outside of party politics. However, its early history was deeply entwined with the turbulent politics of the French Third Republic. During the Dreyfus Affair, the newspaper took a virulent stance, labeling Alfred Dreyfus as 'the enemy Jew betraying France' and publishing antisemitic headlines such as 'Down with the Jews!'

This period of hostility led to significant upheaval. Under the Radical government of Waldeck-Rousseau, the Assumptionists were forced into exile from France. The newspaper's publishing house, then known as La Bonne Presse, was eventually purchased by Paul Féron-Vrau, and the religious order only returned under the amnesty laws of 1905. It was not until the centennial in 1998 that the editors officially acknowledged the 'inexcusable attitude' held by the paper during the 1898 crisis.

Despite these historical scars, La Croix has undergone significant modernization. In 1972, it rebranded as La Croix-l’Événement to signal its focus on modern society. Over the decades, its scope expanded from religious doctrine to include sports, fashion, and theatre. While the publishing house, Bayard Presse, has navigated the challenges of a declining press industry by investing in digital archives and electronic editing, the paper remains a unique fixture in the French media landscape. As of 2020, it maintained a circulation of approximately 91,000, standing as one of only three national French dailies to remain profitable.

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