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France Civic Exam Practice (Examen Civique) 2026: Practice test 2

Practice test 2 of 3 for the France Civic Exam Practice (Examen Civique): 25 more questions with answers and explanations.

  • Citizenship
  • France
  • 80 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

  1. Question 1 of 25

    In the separation of powers, which power belongs to the courts?
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    Answer: B. The judicial power

    Power is shared between Parliament (legislative), the government (executive) and independent courts (judicial), so that no one holds all power.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    Who represents the State in each department (département)?
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    Answer: B. The prefect (préfet)

    The prefect represents the State and the government in the department and checks that laws are applied.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Who elects the mayor of a commune?
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    Answer: D. The municipal council

    Voters elect the municipal council every six years. The council then elects the mayor from among its members.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    How many departments (départements) does France have?
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    Answer: D. 101

    France has 101 departments, including the overseas departments.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    How many regions does France have, counting overseas?
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    Answer: B. 18

    France has 18 regions. The number went down in 2016 when several mainland regions merged.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    About how many communes are there in France?
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    Answer: A. Almost 35,000

    The commune is the most common local authority in France. There are almost 35,000 of them, and the number falls a little each year as communes merge.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Which local authority is in charge of lycées (upper secondary schools)?
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    Answer: A. The region

    Regions run lycées, communes run nursery and primary schools, and departments run collèges.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Who can vote in French municipal elections, besides French citizens?
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    Answer: A. Citizens of other EU countries who live in France

    Article 88-3 of the Constitution lets EU citizens living in France vote in municipal elections, but they cannot become mayor.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    What is the minimum age to vote in France?
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    Answer: C. 18

    French citizens of age, that is 18 or over, can vote if they are on the electoral roll.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Is voting compulsory in France?
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    Answer: D. No, voting is a right and a civic duty, but it is not compulsory

    Voting is personal, free and secret. It is a civic duty but nobody is fined for not voting.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    In which French city does the European Parliament have its official seat?
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    Answer: B. Strasbourg

    The European Parliament's official seat is in Strasbourg, where it holds its main plenary sessions.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    What is France's place in the European Union?
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    Answer: D. It is one of the six founding members

    France was one of the six founding countries of the European communities in the 1950s, which became the European Union.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Since when have euro notes and coins been used in France?
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    Answer: C. 2002

    Euro notes and coins replaced the French franc in 2002.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    In what year was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen adopted?
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    Answer: B. 1789

    The Declaration was adopted in August 1789. It is still part of French constitutional law today.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Which statement about freedom of expression in France is true?
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    Answer: C. It is protected, but racist insults and calls to hatred are punished

    Everyone may express their opinions, but the law punishes abuses such as defamation, racist insults and incitement to hatred or violence.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    In what year did France abolish the death penalty?
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    Answer: C. 1981

    The death penalty was abolished in 1981. Since 2007 the Constitution says no one may be sentenced to death.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Which law first legalised abortion in France, in 1975?
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    Answer: C. The Veil law, named after Simone Veil

    Health minister Simone Veil carried the 1975 law. In 2024 France also wrote the guaranteed freedom to have an abortion into its Constitution.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Since what year can two people of the same sex marry in France?
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    Answer: D. 2013

    The 2013 'marriage for all' law opened marriage to same-sex couples. The PACS civil partnership has existed since 1999.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    What is the minimum age to marry in France?
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    Answer: D. 18 for both people

    Both future spouses must be at least 18 and must freely consent to the marriage.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    Your cousin's family wants to force her to marry someone she does not want. What does French law say?
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    Answer: A. Forced marriage is forbidden; both spouses must freely agree

    Marriage requires the free consent of both people. A forced marriage can be cancelled and those who impose it can be prosecuted.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    A couple wants a civil and a religious wedding. In what order must they happen?
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    Answer: D. The civil wedding at the town hall must come first

    Only the civil marriage, celebrated by the mayor or a deputy, has legal effect, and it must take place before any religious ceremony.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    What is the free national helpline for women facing violence?
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    Answer: B. 3919

    3919 is free and anonymous. 3939 is Allô Service Public, 119 is for children in danger and 115 is emergency housing.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    Which number do you call if you think a child is in danger or being abused?
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    Answer: D. 119

    119 (Allô Enfance en Danger) is free, available day and night, and takes calls from children and adults.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Can parents use physical punishment, such as slapping, to discipline their children?
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    Answer: C. No, parental authority must be used without physical or psychological violence

    Since 2019 the Civil Code says parental authority is exercised without physical or psychological violence.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    A landlord refuses to rent you a flat because of your origin. What is true?
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    Answer: D. This is illegal discrimination that you can report

    Refusing housing because of origin is discrimination and a crime. You can contact the Défenseur des droits or file a complaint.

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