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Which French ports grew rich thanks to the triangular trade, linked to the slave trade?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Nantes, Bordeaux and La Rochelle. Nantes, Bordeaux and La Rochelle grew rich thanks to the triangular trade. This trade across the Atlantic made the slave trade and slavery possible. It dealt in goods like sugar, coffee and cotton.
Sources: Sheet “Le territoire français dans le temps (2/2)” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ Marseille, Toulon and NiceMarseille, Toulon et NiceThese cities are not named for the triangular trade.
- ✗ Lille, Lyon and StrasbourgLille, Lyon et StrasbourgThese cities are not named: the sheet names Nantes, Bordeaux and La Rochelle for the triangular trade.
- ✗ Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne-sur-MerDunkerque, Calais et Boulogne-sur-MerThese cities are not named for the triangular trade.
- ✓ Nantes, Bordeaux and La RochelleNantes, Bordeaux et La RochelleCorrect answer. Nantes, Bordeaux and La Rochelle grew rich thanks to the triangular trade. This trade across the Atlantic made the slave trade and slavery possible. It dealt in goods like sugar, coffee and cotton.
What the source says
« Les ports français (Nantes, Bordeaux et La Rochelle) s’enrichissent grâce au commerce de marchandises prisées »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Quels ports français s'enrichissent grâce au commerce triangulaire, lié à la traite négrière ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the list of the naturalisation version of the exam (PDF relayed by Le Français des affaires, read on 14 October 2026; the Ministry's own page for this list did not answer). The list's wording: “Quel était le principal port français impliqué dans la traite négrière au XVIIIe siècle ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Le territoire français dans le temps (2/2)” (French).
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