Examen civique CR: all 209 official questions with answers

Civic participation means acting for community life: voting, getting involved in an association, taking part in a neighbourhood council or a public consultation.

Freedom of expression allows everyone to say, write and publish their opinions (Declaration of 1789, art. 11). Its limits are set by law: defamation, insults and incitement to hatred or violence are punished.

A residence permit (for example a carte de séjour) proves that a foreign national is allowed to stay in France for a certain period. It does not give French nationality.

Freedom of movement allows everyone to travel freely within France, while respecting the law (traffic rules, private property, travel documents).

The website of the French presidency, elysee.fr, presents the symbols of the French Republic: Marianne, the flag, the motto, La Marseillaise, 14 July and the rooster.

The chorus of La Marseillaise says: "Aux armes, citoyens ! Formez vos bataillons !" (To arms, citizens! Form your battalions!). It is the national anthem (Constitution, art. 2).

The first verse of La Marseillaise begins: "Allons enfants de la Patrie, le jour de gloire est arrivé !" (Arise, children of the Fatherland, the day of glory has arrived!). The other options are lines from the chorus.

Individual freedom protects every person against coercion: everyone freely chooses their spouse, their movements and their private life. Forced marriage and confinement are punished by law.

Secularism (laïcité) guarantees freedom of conscience: everyone may believe, not believe or change religion, and practise their faith while respecting public order and the law (1905 law).

No. Physical education is part of the compulsory curriculum and classes are mixed. A course in the curriculum cannot be refused for religious reasons or because it is mixed.

The motto of the French Republic is "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). It is written in article 2 of the 1958 Constitution.

Repudiation (a husband deciding alone to end the marriage) is not recognised in France: it violates equality between women and men. Only a divorce provided for by law can end a marriage.

According to article 13 of the 1789 Declaration, the common contribution must be shared among all citizens according to their means. Taxes fund schools, hospitals, roads, security, etc.

No. Destroying, damaging or using the tricolour flag in a degrading way in public is forbidden and punished (Criminal Code, art. 433-5-1, and a 2010 decree).

The law forbids and punishes discrimination (origin, sex, religion, disability, etc.), for example in hiring or housing. The Défenseur des droits (Rights Defender) helps victims free of charge.

Marianne appeared during the French Revolution. She wears the Phrygian cap, a symbol of liberty, and represents the French Republic. Her bust is displayed in town halls.

Since the law of 1 July 1901, everyone is free to create an association, join one or leave it. Foreign nationals can also create or join associations.

According to article 4 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789), "liberty consists in being able to do anything that does not harm others". Its limits are set by law.

La Marseillaise is the national anthem. Composed in 1792 by Rouget de Lisle, it was sung by soldiers from Marseille, hence its name.

Marianne, symbol of the Republic, appears on official documents such as the identity card and the tax return, as well as on stamps and coins.

Refusing to hire someone because of their sex is discrimination. It is forbidden by the Labour Code and punished by the Criminal Code (up to 3 years in prison and a €45,000 fine).

Equality means that the law is the same for everyone, without distinction of origin, race or religion (Constitution, art. 1; 1789 Declaration, art. 1 and 6). It includes equality between women and men.

French is the language of the Republic (Article 2 of the Constitution). It is used by the administration, the courts and public schools.

Article 2 of the Constitution names the official symbols: the blue, white and red flag, the anthem La Marseillaise and the motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity".

Freedom of expression has limits: publicly insulting someone is an offence punished by law. The penalty is heavier when the insult targets, in particular, the person's sex, disability, sexual orientation, origin or religion.

France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic (Article 1 of the Constitution). Power belongs to the people, who vote.

Public schools are neutral: they welcome all children and protect them from any pressure. Since the 2004 law, conspicuous religious symbols are banned for pupils.

The law separating the Churches and the State was passed on 9 December 1905. It guarantees freedom of conscience and provides that the State neither recognises nor funds any religion.

Freedom of conscience means one may believe or not believe. In France, people can be atheist or agnostic without having to justify it.

Secularism guarantees freedom of conscience: everyone may believe or not believe, and practise their religion while respecting public order (1905 law).

The 2004 law forbids pupils in public schools from wearing conspicuous religious symbols, and staff must remain neutral. Parents, as users of the public service, are not bound by this neutrality.

State neutrality means there is no official religion: the State treats all beliefs in the same way and favours none (1905 law, art. 2).

Neutrality applies to public employees, not to users: a user may wear a religious symbol at the town hall. But they cannot demand that the public service be adapted for religious reasons.

Public service employees have a duty of neutrality: they must not show their religious beliefs. Users, however, may wear a religious symbol.

Yes. Public employees must be neutral: they do not show their religious or political beliefs and treat all users equally.

Secularism (laïcité) guarantees freedom of conscience: everyone is free to believe or not to believe, and the State is separate from and neutral towards religions.

Yes. Freedom of conscience allows everyone to choose their religion, change it or have none. No one can impose a religion on another person.

Laïcité is a principle of the Republic (Constitution, art. 1): the State is separate from religions, it is neutral, and it guarantees everyone the freedom to believe or not to believe.

The Charter of secularism at school (article 14) forbids pupils in public schools from wearing symbols or clothing that conspicuously show a religious affiliation (2004 law).

Article 1 of the 1958 Constitution states: "France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic." It ensures the equality of all citizens before the law.

In a state governed by the rule of law, everyone must respect the law, including public authorities. Laws comply with the Constitution and independent judges enforce them.

During his term, the President cannot be prosecuted before ordinary courts (Constitution, art. 67). Time limits are suspended and proceedings can start one month after the term ends. He can also be removed from office by Parliament (art. 68).

According to article 6 of the 1789 Declaration, "the law is the expression of the general will". It is passed by Parliament, which is elected by the citizens.

Municipal councillors are elected for 6 years by direct universal suffrage. They then elect the mayor for the same term.

The rule of law guarantees that fundamental rights and freedoms are protected: everyone, including the State, is subject to the law, and independent judges can punish abuses.

Voting is personal. An absent voter can only give an official proxy (procuration) to another voter, who will vote on their behalf. Without a proxy, voting for someone else is fraud and is punished.

In France, voting is not compulsory for citizens: it is a right and a civic duty. There is no penalty for not voting (except for the grands électeurs in senatorial elections).

The President is elected for 5 years. At the end of the term he must step down; no one may serve more than two consecutive terms.

Under Article 21 of the Constitution, the Prime Minister directs the action of the Government.

According to Article 8 of the Constitution, the President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister.

France is an indivisible Republic with a decentralised organisation (Article 1 of the Constitution), structured into communes, departments and regions.

Legislative power belongs to Parliament (National Assembly and Senate). It passes laws and scrutinises the Government (Article 24 of the Constitution).

Separating legislative, executive and judicial powers prevents abuse of power and protects freedoms. The principle appears in Article 16 of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man.

Only the courts can punish a thief, after a trial. Nobody may take the law into their own hands.

Under Article 20 of the Constitution, the Government determines and conducts the policy of the Nation, and has the administration and armed forces at its disposal.

In France nobody is above the law. A minister who breaks the law can be prosecuted; for acts committed in office, the Cour de justice de la République tries the case.

The National Assembly has 577 deputies, elected by direct universal suffrage for 5 years.

The right to vote belongs to French citizens aged 18 or over who are on the electoral roll. EU citizens can also vote in municipal and European elections.

Senators are elected for 6 years by indirect suffrage. Half of the Senate is renewed every 3 years.

Separation of powers distinguishes legislative power (making laws), executive power (applying them) and judicial power (judging). It is in Article 16 of the 1789 Declaration.

No. Because of the separation of powers, the President does not pass laws (Parliament does) and does not judge (the courts do). The Constitution limits his or her powers.

The prefect represents the State and the Government in the département (and region). He or she is appointed, not elected, and ensures laws and public order are respected.

To vote you must be registered on the electoral roll of your municipality. You must also be 18 and French (or an EU citizen for municipal and European elections).

The municipality is run by the mayor and the municipal council, elected for 6 years. The mayor is elected by the council.

France is a democratic Republic: the Fifth Republic, since the Constitution of 4 October 1958. Power belongs to the people, exercised through elected representatives and referendums.

The Hôtel de Matignon in Paris is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister. The President works at the Élysée Palace.

Parliament has two chambers: the National Assembly (577 deputies) and the Senate (348 senators). It passes laws and oversees the government.

Under Article 5 of the Constitution, the President ensures respect for the Constitution, the proper functioning of institutions and national independence. He is also head of the armed forces.

The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. He directs the Government's action and ensures laws are carried out (Article 21 of the Constitution).

The Prime Minister is head of Government; the President of the Republic is head of State.

Since 2016 France has 18 regions: 13 in metropolitan France (including Corsica) and 5 overseas.

The Défenseur des droits is an independent authority in the Constitution since 2008. Anyone can contact it free of charge about problems with public services, discrimination or children's rights.

Euro coins and notes have circulated in France since 1 January 2002, replacing the franc. The euro already existed as an accounting currency from 1999.

The department is the main actor for social solidarity: it pays the RSA (minimum income), supports elderly and disabled people and handles child protection. It also manages collèges (lower secondary schools).

The commune is the level closest to residents. The town hall handles civil registration (births, marriages), nursery and primary schools, local roads and planning.

France has about 35,000 communes, one of the highest numbers in Europe.

The Maastricht Treaty, signed in 1992, created the European Union. The other treaties belong to other periods (1494, 1648, 1919).

The United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 January 2020 at midnight ('Brexit'). The EU has had 27 member states since then.

The motto of the European Union is 'United in diversity', adopted in 2000. 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité' is France's motto.

The European anthem is the 'Ode to Joy' from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. La Marseillaise is France's national anthem.

The European flag shows 12 golden stars in a circle on a blue background. The number 12 symbolises perfection and unity; it does not depend on the number of member states.

The European flag is blue with a circle of 12 yellow (golden) stars.

The Maastricht Treaty was signed on 7 February 1992 and came into force in 1993. It created the European Union and planned the single currency.

The official seat of the European Parliament is Strasbourg, where the main plenary sessions are held. It also has premises in Brussels and Luxembourg.

The European Commission, which proposes EU laws and ensures they are applied, is based in Brussels (Belgium).

Switzerland is not an EU member, even though it is in Europe and in the Schengen area. Germany, Italy and Spain are EU members.

Europe Day is 9 May. It marks the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, the starting point of European integration.

European elections take place every 5 years. EU citizens elect the members of the European Parliament (most recently in June 2024).

To vote in European elections in France you must be a citizen of France or another EU country, be 18 and be on the electoral roll.

The 6 founding countries are France, (West) Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Treaty of Rome, 1957). Spain, Poland and Sweden joined later.

Everyone is free to choose whether to have children. Medically assisted reproduction (PMA) helps people become parents; since the bioethics law of 2 August 2021 it is open to all women, in a couple or single.

Freedoms have limits: the State may restrict them to protect public order (safety, peace, public health), the general interest, the rights of others and human dignity.

Marriage requires the free consent of both spouses (Article 146 of the Civil Code). Since 2013 it is open to same-sex couples. Forced marriage and polygamy are prohibited.

In France, divorce is a right: either the husband or the wife can request it, even if the other spouse does not agree (for example on grounds of permanent breakdown of the marriage).

The death penalty was abolished in France by the law of 9 October 1981, championed by Robert Badinter. Since 2007, its abolition has been written into the Constitution.

This is the opening of Article 1 of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 26 August 1789.

Abortion has been legal since the Veil law of 1975. It is possible up to 14 weeks of pregnancy and, since March 2024, the freedom to have an abortion is enshrined in the Constitution.

The Constitution of 4 October 1958 sets out how the institutions are organised and work. Through its preamble it also guarantees fundamental rights (1789 Declaration, 1946 preamble, Environment Charter).

Press freedom, protected by the law of 29 July 1881, lets journalists inform freely without censorship. It has limits: defamation and incitement to hatred are punishable.

The 2004 Environment Charter, added to the Constitution in 2005, gives everyone the right to live in a balanced environment that respects health. Everyone also has a duty to protect the environment.

Human dignity means every human being has equal worth and must be respected. Slavery, torture and inhuman or degrading treatment are prohibited.

The right to demonstrate allows people to express their views together in public, without violence. A demonstration must be declared in advance to the town hall or the prefecture.

PMA stands for 'procréation médicalement assistée', medically assisted reproduction: medical techniques that help people have a child. It has been open to all women since the 2021 bioethics law.

The Constitution is the highest text in French law. Amending it requires a special procedure (Article 89): a 3/5 majority of Parliament meeting in Congress, or a referendum.

Freedom of conscience allows everyone to believe in the religion of their choice, to change it, or not to believe at all. It is guaranteed by the 1789 Declaration (Article 10) and the 1905 law.

The right to strike is recognised by the preamble to the 1946 Constitution. It allows employees to stop work together to support work-related demands.

The Constitution is the Republic's fundamental law: it organises public authorities and guarantees rights and freedoms. The current Constitution dates from 4 October 1958 (Fifth Republic).

Abortion is available to all women regardless of age or nationality. A minor does not need her parents' consent but must be accompanied by an adult of her choice.

French women gained the right to vote and stand for election by the ordinance of 21 April 1944 and first voted in 1945. Every adult French citizen, man or woman, can vote.

Laws also apply online. Cyber-harassment, insults, defamation and incitement to hatred are offences, even under a pseudonym. People's image rights must also be respected.

Throwing a cigarette butt or litter in a public place is forbidden. It is an offence punished by a fixed fine of €135.

Rights and freedoms are not absolute: liberty means doing anything that does not harm others (Article 4 of the 1789 Declaration). The law may limit them for public order, the general interest or human dignity, under judicial control.

Sorting your waste allows it to be recycled and protects the environment. Batteries, appliances and bulky items must go to collection points or a recycling centre.

Paying taxes is an obligation for everyone according to their means (Article 13 of the 1789 Declaration). In France, voting, joining a union or practising a religion are freedoms, not obligations.

Freedom of expression is guaranteed, but the law punishes its abuse: incitement to hatred, violence or discrimination, defamation and insults. Criticising the government or expressing a political opinion is allowed.

Sorting waste makes it possible to recycle materials (paper, glass, plastic, etc.) and reduces pollution. It is a civic gesture to protect the environment.

A victim of violence can file a complaint at a police or gendarmerie station and seek help (17 in an emergency, 3919 for violence against women). Taking justice into your own hands is forbidden.

Police officers and gendarmes represent the authority of the State: their orders must be obeyed. Refusing to comply or resisting is an offence. If you disagree, you can afterwards file a complaint or contact the Défenseur des droits.

The Police nationale protects people and property, maintains public order and tracks down offenders, mainly in towns and cities.

The law requires you to help a person in danger, for example by calling 15, 18 or 112, without putting yourself at risk. Doing nothing is an offence (failure to assist a person in danger).

Freedom of movement is limited by rules such as speed limits in order to protect everyone's safety. The other options are rights, not limitations.

When witnessing violence, you must alert the police (17) or call 112, and help the victim if you can do so safely. Failing to act can be punished as failure to assist a person in danger.

A crime is the most serious category of offence (for example murder or rape). It is tried by the cour d'assises or the cour criminelle and can be punished by long imprisonment.

Everyone living in France, French or foreign, must obey the law. Voting in presidential elections is reserved for French citizens, compulsory military service has been suspended since 1997, and everyone may speak any language at home.

The most serious offences are crimes, such as murder or rape; they are tried by the cour d'assises or the cour criminelle. Simple theft is a délit (misdemeanour), while illegal parking or minor speeding are contraventions (petty offences).

Simple theft, such as shoplifting, is a délit (misdemeanour) tried by the tribunal correctionnel. Murder is a crime; illegal parking and jaywalking are contraventions (petty offences).

The national police (mainly in towns) and the national gendarmerie (mainly in rural areas) ensure security and maintain public order under the authority of the State.

Leaving waste in the street or in nature is forbidden and punished with a fine. Waste must be sorted, bulky items taken to the recycling centre or put out on collection days; burning waste in the open air is also forbidden.

Louis XIV (king from 1643 to 1715) was nicknamed the Sun King; he had the Palace of Versailles built. 'The Little Corporal' was Napoleon I and 'the Beloved' was Louis XV.

Louis XVI was tried by the Convention and guillotined on 21 January 1793, after the Republic was proclaimed in 1792.

Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French in 1804 (crowned at Notre-Dame de Paris on 2 December 1804). The Empire ended in 1815.

Marianne is the symbolic figure of the French Republic; her bust stands in town halls and her face appears on stamps and the State logo. Charlemagne, Joan of Arc and Louis XIV lived in the age of kings, long before the Republic.

On 18 June 1940, from London on BBC radio, General de Gaulle called on the French to continue fighting against Nazi Germany: this is the Appeal of 18 June.

The Shoah is the genocide of about six million Jews by the Nazis during the Second World War. It is taught to remember the victims and to learn to fight antisemitism, racism and all discrimination.

Algeria was a French colony from 1830 until its independence in 1962, after the Algerian War. Brazil was colonised by Portugal; Japan and Argentina were never French colonies.

Since the 1962 referendum, initiated by General de Gaulle, the president has been elected by direct universal suffrage. The first such election took place in 1965. Before that, the president was elected indirectly.

In 1951, the Treaty of Paris created the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) between six countries, including France and Germany. It was the first step in building Europe.

The death penalty was abolished by the law of 9 October 1981, during the presidency of François Mitterrand, at the initiative of Justice Minister Robert Badinter.

On 21 September 1792 the monarchy was abolished and the next day the First Republic was proclaimed. The Consulate (1799) and the Empire (1804) came later.

Jean Moulin unified the internal Resistance movements on behalf of General de Gaulle. Arrested in 1943, he died after being tortured; his ashes rest in the Panthéon.

The ordinance of 21 April 1944 gave women the right to vote and to stand for election. They voted for the first time in the 1945 municipal elections.

The UN was created in 1945 (San Francisco Charter) to maintain world peace. France is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. NATO dates from 1949 and the League of Nations from 1919.

The law of 9 October 1981, championed by Robert Badinter, abolished the death penalty in France. Since 2007, this ban has been written into the Constitution.

Euro coins and banknotes came into circulation on 1 January 2002 and replaced the franc. The euro had already existed since 1999 as an accounting currency.

The First World War began in 1914 and ended with the armistice of 11 November 1918. The Second World War began in 1939.

On 6 June 1944 (D-Day), the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy to free France from German occupation. A second landing took place in Provence in August 1944.

After 1945, most of the French colonies that became independent were in Africa: Morocco and Tunisia (1956), most sub-Saharan African countries (1960) and Algeria (1962).

On 8 May 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered: this marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. 11 November commemorates the 1918 armistice, 14 July is the national holiday and 1 May is Labour Day.

Metropolitan France is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the English Channel and North Sea to the north. The Baltic, Black Sea and Red Sea do not touch it.

Metropolitan France shares land borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra and Spain. Portugal, the Netherlands and Austria are not among them.

Marseille, on the Mediterranean Sea, is France's largest seaport. Toulouse, Dijon and Clermont-Ferrand are inland cities.

The English Channel (la Manche) separates France from England. The Channel Tunnel has linked the two countries since 1994.

Overseas France includes the French territories located far from Europe, for example Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, Mayotte, French Polynesia and New Caledonia. They are part of France.

The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and Spain. The Alps are on the border with Italy and Switzerland, the Jura with Switzerland, and the Vosges are in eastern France.

Réunion is an overseas department and region located in the Indian Ocean, like Mayotte. Martinique and Guadeloupe are in the Caribbean Sea, and Corsica is in the Mediterranean.

According to INSEE, France had about 68.6 million inhabitants on 1 January 2025 (mainland and overseas).

The Seine flows through Paris before reaching the English Channel at Le Havre. The Loire passes through Orléans and Nantes, the Rhône through Lyon and the Garonne through Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Belgium shares a land border with France, to the north. Portugal, Austria and Poland have no common border with France.

To the north-east, metropolitan France borders Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. Spain and Andorra are to the south-west, and Portugal has no border with France.

Economic activity is concentrated in the large metropolitan areas. The Île-de-France region around Paris alone produces about 30% of national wealth.

France is the most visited country in the world, with around 100 million international tourists a year, thanks to its heritage, culture and varied landscapes.

About 80% of French people live in urban areas, that is, in towns and cities and their suburbs. The Paris region alone has more than 12 million inhabitants.

Île-de-France, the region around Paris, is the most populated region of France, with more than 12 million inhabitants, almost one in five French people.

Lyon is one of the largest metropolitan areas in France, alongside Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille, Bordeaux and Nantes. Ajaccio, Vannes and Chartres are much smaller towns.

Paris (département 75) is the most visited département in France, thanks to monuments and museums such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. France is one of the most visited countries in the world.

Every September, the European Heritage Days open many cultural sites for free, including some normally closed to the public. Most national museums are also free on the first Sunday of the month.

According to the International Organisation of La Francophonie, more than 300 million people speak French worldwide (about 320 to almost 400 million depending on the estimate), on all five continents.

Marguerite Yourcenar (1903-1987) was a French-language writer, author of 'Memoirs of Hadrian'. In 1980 she became the first woman elected to the Académie française.

Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a French painter and one of the founders of Impressionism ('Impression, Sunrise', 'Water Lilies'). Rembrandt was Dutch, Goya Spanish and Frida Kahlo Mexican.

The Louvre is in Paris; it is the most visited museum in the world and houses the 'Mona Lisa'. The Prado is in Madrid, the British Museum in London and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was a great French sculptor. His best-known works are 'The Thinker' and 'The Kiss'; a museum in Paris is dedicated to him.

French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world: the official civic-training fiche ranks it 4th, with nearly 400 million speakers on five continents. It is an official language in more than 30 countries.

On 15 April 2019, a fire destroyed the spire and much of the roof of Notre-Dame de Paris. After five years of restoration, the cathedral reopened in December 2024.

Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) was a French writer and philosopher, author of 'The Second Sex' (1949), a key book for women's rights. Jane Austen, Agatha Christie and Virginia Woolf were English.

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) was a great French composer, known for 'Clair de lune' and 'La Mer'. Mozart was Austrian, Beethoven German and Verdi Italian.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a French painter and one of the great names of Impressionism. His painting 'Bal du moulin de la Galette' is in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

14 July is France's national day. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille (1789) and the Fête de la Fédération (1790). Thanksgiving and Independence Day are American; Koningsdag is Dutch.

In France, only civil marriage, performed by the registrar at the town hall, is legally valid. A religious ceremony may only take place after the civil marriage; polygamy is forbidden and the minimum age is 18.

To enrol a child in a public nursery or primary school, parents contact the town hall (mairie) of their commune, and then the school for admission.

Divorce does not change parental authority: in principle, the father and the mother continue to exercise it jointly, in the child's interest. Only a judge can decide otherwise.

Legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) allows people with low income to have a lawyer and have their legal costs paid fully or partly by the State.

A birth must be declared at the town hall of the place of birth within 5 days of delivery. The registrar then draws up the birth certificate.

To take the driving test (category B licence), you must be at least 17 and live in France. You must pass the highway code test and then the practical driving test.

A lease (rental contract) is a written contract between the landlord (often the owner) and the tenant. It sets out in particular the rent, the duration and each party's obligations.

Old large household appliances must be taken to the waste collection centre (déchetterie), or taken back by the seller when you buy a new one, so they can be recycled. Leaving them in the street is forbidden and punished by a fine.

17 is the number for the police or gendarmerie. 15 is the SAMU (medical emergencies), 18 the fire brigade and 119 the line for children in danger; 112 is the European emergency number.

Under universal health protection (PUMa), anyone who works or lives in France on a stable and legal basis is entitled to coverage of health costs. Supplementary insurance (mutuelle) is recommended but not compulsory.

In France, contraception is available to everyone, including minors, without the consent of parents or partner. It is covered by health insurance and free for young people under 26.

The confidentiality principle, or medical secrecy, requires doctors and health professionals to keep the patient's health and private information secret. Breaching medical secrecy is punishable by law.

Anyone who works or lives in France on a stable and regular basis is affiliated to the national health insurance (protection universelle maladie, PUMa). Registration is done with the CPAM.

Parental education leave can be requested by the father or the mother after a birth or adoption, provided they have at least one year's service with the employer. It allows them to stop or reduce work to care for the child.

The conseil de prud'hommes (employment tribunal) judges individual disputes between an employee and an employer relating to the employment contract, such as a dismissal or unpaid wages.

Undeclared work (travail dissimulé) is forbidden by law. The employer risks up to 3 years in prison and a €45,000 fine, and the worker loses rights such as unemployment benefits, pension and social security.

Hours worked beyond the agreed duration are overtime: the employer must pay them, normally at a higher rate, or give the employee time off in lieu. A maximum working time must also be respected.

France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) supports job seekers in finding work or training, helps companies recruit and pays unemployment benefits.

In France, every employee has the right to join a trade union: they can create one, join one or take part in its activities. An employer cannot penalise an employee for union membership.

The right to strike, guaranteed by the Constitution, lets employees stop work together to defend work-related demands. Wages are not paid during the strike, and violence or preventing non-strikers from working is forbidden.

To receive unemployment benefit you must, in principle, have lost your job involuntarily (dismissal, end of contract, mutual termination), have worked a minimum period and be registered with France Travail.

Nursery school (école maternelle) takes children aged 3 to 6, in the petite, moyenne and grande section classes. Since 2019, education has been compulsory from age 3, so almost all children attend nursery school.

At the end of collège (lower secondary school), in 3e, pupils take the diplôme national du brevet (DNB), also called the 'brevet des collèges'. The baccalauréat is taken at the end of lycée.

Parents can vote and stand in the elections of parent representatives, who take part in school decisions. They can also join a parents' association.

Where a school canteen exists, it is open to all children who wish to use it, without discrimination. The price may vary according to family income.

Since the 2019 'school of trust' law, education is compulsory for all children living in France from age 3 to 16.

In France, the age of majority has been 18 since 1974. At that age you become legally responsible and can vote.

Parents must respect teachers and school staff. Threatening or insulting a teacher is forbidden and punishable by law; meeting teachers and following one's child's schooling are, on the contrary, rights and duties.

The law (Education Code) only accepts certain reasons for absence, such as the child's illness or an important family event. Parents must inform the school and justify the absence.

Education is compulsory from 3 to 16. Parents who do not respect this risk a fine and a prison sentence: for example, failing to enrol a child despite a formal notice is punishable by 6 months in prison and a €7,500 fine.

The Christmas holidays last about two weeks, from late December to early January. They take place on the same dates throughout metropolitan France.

Since the 2005 law, every child with a disability has the right to go to school, preferably the school closest to home, with adjustments or a support assistant (AESH) if needed.