Prepare for the French civic exam, in English
Since 1 January 2026, the examen civique is required for a first multi-year residence card, a 10-year resident card and French citizenship. The exam is in French. Here you practise the official questions in French and understand each one in English.
Choose your application
15 official questions with answers
- 1. À quoi correspond la date du 14 juillet ?
What does the date of 14 July correspond to?
Answer : The national day (storming of the Bastille, 1789)
La fête nationale (prise de la Bastille, 1789)
Why : 14 July is the national day: it recalls the storming of the Bastille in 1789.
- 2. Quel est l'un des symboles de la République française ?
What is one of the symbols of the French Republic?
Answer : Marianne
Marianne
Why : Marianne represents the Republic. The crown and fleur-de-lys are symbols of the monarchy.
- 3. Le principe d'égalité signifie que :
The principle of equality means that:
Answer : All citizens have the same rights and duties before the law
Tous les citoyens ont les mêmes droits et devoirs devant la loi
Why : Equality: the law is the same for everyone, whatever their sex, origin or religion.
- 4. Qui nomme le Premier ministre ?
Who appoints the Prime Minister?
Answer : The President of the Republic
Le président de la République
Why : The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of the Republic.
- 5. Le Parlement est composé :
Parliament is made up of:
Answer : The National Assembly and the Senate
De l'Assemblée nationale et du Sénat
Why : Parliament = National Assembly (MPs) + Senate (senators).
- 6. Qu'est-ce que le pouvoir exécutif ? Le pouvoir :
What is executive power? The power:
Answer : To apply laws and run the country
D'appliquer les lois et de diriger le pays
Why : Executive power (President and Government) carries out the laws.
- 7. Comment s'appelle la Constitution actuelle de la France ?
What is the name of France's current Constitution?
Answer : The Constitution of the Fifth Republic (1958)
La Constitution de la Ve République (1958)
Why : France lives under the Fifth Republic Constitution, adopted in 1958.
- 8. Comment s'appelle le texte qui énonce les droits et devoirs des personnes résidant en France ?
What is the name of the text that sets out the rights and duties of people living in France?
Answer : The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
La Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen
Why : The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) sets out everyone's rights and duties.
- 9. Concernant les droits individuels, quelle proposition est correcte ?
About individual rights, which statement is correct?
Answer : Everyone has rights, but must respect other people's
Chaque personne a des droits, mais doit respecter ceux des autres
Why : Each person's rights end where other people's begin.
- 10. En quelle année a débuté la Révolution française ?
In what year did the French Revolution begin?
Answer : 1789
1789
Why : The French Revolution began in 1789 (storming of the Bastille on 14 July).
- 11. Qui était Napoléon Ier ?
Who was Napoleon I?
Answer : An emperor of the French
Un empereur des Français
Why : Napoleon I became emperor in 1804. He created the Civil Code.
- 12. Lequel de ces personnages historiques est français ?
Which of these historical figures is French?
Answer : Joan of Arc
Jeanne d'Arc
Why : Joan of Arc is a 15th-century French heroine.
- 13. Quel numéro d'urgence permet d'appeler le SAMU ?
Which emergency number calls the SAMU (medical emergency)?
Answer : 15
15
Why : 15 = SAMU for a medical emergency. 119 = children in danger.
- 14. Quel numéro d'urgence permet d'appeler les pompiers ?
Which emergency number calls the fire brigade?
Answer : 18
Le 18
Why : 18 = fire brigade. 15 = SAMU, 17 = police, 112 = European emergency.
- 15. Après avoir obtenu le permis de conduire, que faut-il faire pour pouvoir conduire sa voiture ?
After getting a driving licence, what must you do to drive your car?
Answer : Insure it (car insurance is compulsory)
L'assurer (l'assurance auto est obligatoire)
Why : To drive your car it must be insured (and registered in your name).
What's free
Every official question, answer and explanation in French is free. The Pass préparation adds the English translation of every question, all 500 practice situations and unlimited mock exams with full correction: €7.77 for 1 month or €9.63 for 3 months, one payment, no subscription.
Who must take the civic exam?
Non-EU nationals applying for their first multi-year residence card, a 10-year resident card or French citizenship. Renewing the same card does not require it.
Is the exam in English?
No. The official exam is in French only, with no dictionary or interpreter. That is why you practise in French here, with English to understand.
How do I book the exam?
With an approved centre: CCI Paris Île-de-France or France Éducation International. The fee is usually €70–90, and the certificate never expires.
Independent resource, not affiliated with the French government.