Savate is a French martial art in which both the hands deliver boxing techniques and the feet precise and varied kicking techniques. Savate takes its name from the French for old boot or slipper, after the heavy footwear worn by its first practitioners.

Modern savate reflects French fighting techniques going at least as far back as the beginning of the 19th century. At that time, street fighting including kicking with the boots was common both in Paris and the north of France.

As well, in the south of France, especially in the port of Marseille, sailors had developed a form of fighting involving high kicks, which was known as jeu marseillais (game from Marseille), and later renamed chausson, after the type of slippers sailors wore. “Savate” has since come to encompass both the street and sport sides of French martial arts.

In the sport form of savate, known as boxe française (French boxing) or French kickboxing, only foot kicks are allowed, with no use of the knees or shins. International championships in boxe francaise are held every two years. Boxe française was also included as a demonstration sport in both the 1908 and 1924 Olympic Games in Paris.
The sport provides two types of competition: assaut and combat. Assaut requires the competitors to display technique and strategy in making contact. The winner successfully makes contact with the higher number of correctly delivered techniques, but referees assign penalties for the use of excessive force In combat, blows are delivered at full-strength and victory can be achieved either by earning more points or by knocking out the opponent.

Despite its roots, savate is a relatively safe sport to learn. According to USA Savate, "savate ranks lower in number of injuries when compared to American football, hockey, football, gymnastics, basketball, baseball and inline skating."
Although France remains the centre of savate, with over 32,000 registered practitioners, the art is now practiced around the world -- including in Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Australia.

References:
“Savate” entry in Wikipedia
French Savate by Salem Assli: Silver Glove Enterprises, 2000.

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