Savate came into existence on the streets of Paris. The originating style started as a game where street fighters kicked one another with their regular shoes on. The common name for a street shoe at that time was "savate" (pronounced sa-vat), which meant "old shoe" or "old boot." The name savate, therefore, became associated with this particular method of street-fighting. Instead of the ranking system of colored belts like most Asian martial art systems, Savate issues colored gloves. Students must progress through two colors before they are actually allowed to compete. Unfortunately, Savate is still unrecognized as a professionally organized sport, and presently is only exhibited by amateurs at competitions.

Savate today resembles more of a Western style of kickboxing, and uses holds, punches, throws and shin kicks as its main attacks. Attempts were made later to incorporate punches and blocks from Anglo-style boxing, which helped advance the Savate art in its effectiveness of protecting the fighter.

Modern codified Savate provides for three levels of competition: assault, pre-combat, and combat. Assault requires the competitors to focus on their technique while still making contact; referees assign penalties for the use of excessive force. Pre-combat allows for full-strength fighting so long as the fighters wear protective gear such as helmets and shinguards. Combat, the most intense level, is the same as pre-combat, but protective gear other than groin protection and mouthguards is prohibited.