M. Hamel was a French teacher who is giving his last lesson to his students. Due to an order from Berlin after the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine came under Prussian control, French is no longer allowed to be taught in schools. While Franz initially wanted to skip class, when he arrives he sees the old villagers in attendance and realizes something important is happening. M. Hamel then delivers an impactful last lesson to the students, making them appreciate the French language and their education in a way they had not before, as both will no longer be available to them after this day.