Montreuil – 08.06.2026: At the École Maternelle Nanteuil in Montreuil, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, a recent school performance caused nationwide attention. A video shared on social media on June 6, 2026, shows six children aged three to five dressed in military t-shirts, headbands, and sunglasses. They hold toy guns and dance to the song “Charger” by the group Triangle des Bermudes, whose chorus “Sortez les armes, sortez les armes, chargez!” (“Bring out the weapons, bring out the weapons, charge!”) translates to “Load!” in German.
This presentation, part of the school’s end-of-year celebration, was filmed by a parent and quickly spread across the internet. The images sparked a wave of outrage as they gave the impression that children in a school context were confronted with weapons and military symbols.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray responded promptly to the controversy. He described the published images as “shocking,” emphasizing that they show “very young children in military uniforms holding weapons.” Geffray ordered the rector of the Créteil Academy to immediately investigate the conditions under which this event was organized. He warned that sanctions could be imposed if violations were found.
According to reports by “Le Parisien,” the performance was part of a larger program addressing the themes of war and peace. A member of the educational team explained that after this scene, the children removed their military t-shirts to reveal white t-shirts inscribed with “Peace and Love.”
Despite this explanation, the public reaction remained largely negative. The portrayal of children in military attire and with weapons, even in a context meant to promote peace, was considered inappropriate by many. The discussion touches on fundamental questions about the depiction of violence and militarism in early childhood education.
As of June 8, 2026, neither the Montreuil city administration nor the management of École Maternelle Nanteuil had issued an official statement. However, the Ministry of Education’s investigation is already underway to clarify the exact circumstances of the event and take necessary measures if required.
This controversy sheds light on the challenges faced by educational institutions when addressing cultural and societal topics in early childhood education without unintentionally sending problematic messages.