The orientalism of french Arabists is a highly controversial point because of their involvment in colonial expansionism; it has for this reason not been an historical scope of investigation yet. Through an analysis of their careers, their publications and intellectual positions, this book presents the political and scholarly issues of their action.

It examines the itineraries of Algerian women who migrated to France and more specifically to Lyon, before their own country gained independence. This study traces back to a female immigration and prove that these women were full-fledged actors of their history. This dual dynamic led to the establishment of plural identities, between two countries.