The culture libre (English: free culture) was a French cultural and political movement in the 1980's and early 1990's which saw a gradual liberalization of French media, political speech, business practice and a transition towards a partially constitutional monarchy from the totalitarian state that had existed in the 1950's through the late 1970's. In particular, the movement inspired a renaissance of creativity and freedom of expression, as well as allowing significant amounts of foreign entertainment and ideas into France.