The Gypsies of Saint-Jacques, Perpignan, South of France

The Gypsies of Saint-Jacques, Perpignan, France have been in residence since the Middle Ages. Their traditional way of life is under threat due to the rising value of their properties. The St Jacobins - the Gypsies of Saint Jacques are living in a parallel society to mainstream France. Previously they were nomadic making a living by breeding and selling horses, as blacksmiths, making baskets and trinkets. As these skills are no longer required they now survive on benefits from the government. They have settled in Saint Jacques previously the Jewish quarter until the Vichy government expelled the Jews to concentration camps in the 1940’s. The majority of the men are jobless and the women are largely housebound bringing up children who stay up late at night and skip school resulting in an ongoing illiteracy amongst the population. Men are encouraged to marry early around 17 to girls sometimes first cousins at around 15 to have as many children as quickly as possible. By the shopping centre in Perpignan is where you find gaggles of Gypsy women with their pushchairs carrying children who should be long walking. The men are only seen in their neighbourhood. You never see a Gypsy alone.