With your consent, we measure visits to this site with Google Analytics, to learn which pages actually help. If you decline, no measurement cookie is set. Our privacy policy

Start for freeMy space

Topic 03

Rights and duties in France in the civic exam

This topic is the pivot of the syllabus: it feeds the scenario questions more than any other. It tests not only what you know, but what you would do. A principle that has been half understood shows up immediately in a concrete scenario, which is why it pays to reason from examples rather than from definitions.

Chapter 1 / 2≈ 1 min read

Chapter 1 : Droits fondamentaux

In FrenchThe study sheets stay in French: that is the language you will sit the exam in.

Sheet 1 / 11Open to all

Introduction aux droits fondamentaux

Dans cette fiche, vous pourrez retrouver une introduction aux droits fondamentaux.

Goals

  • Connaître les droits fondamentaux.
  • Comprendre l’application des droits fondamentaux.

Les droits fondamentaux, c’est quoi ?

Les droits fondamentaux (ou libertés fondamentales) sont les droits et les libertés élémentaires que tout le monde doit respecter pour assurer le bien-être de chacun. Ces droits sont les mêmes pour tout le monde, peu importe le sexe, l'âge (avant ou après 18 ans), les croyances ou la façon de vivre. Les droits fondamentaux garantissent à chacun : la dignité ; le respect ; l’égalité ; la justice.

Quelles sont les différentes catégories de droits fondamentaux ?

Ces droits fondamentaux peuvent être répartis en 3 catégories : les droits liés à la personne humaine ; les droits sociaux et économiques ; les droits dits "de troisième génération" qui sont collectifs. Ces droits fondamentaux sont la base de notre démocratie.

Quels textes garantissent ces droits fondamentaux ?

Ces droits fondamentaux sont garantis par l’État. Les droits et libertés fondamentaux sont inscrits dans plusieurs textes français et européens, dont : la Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen de 1789 ; le Code Civil de 1804 ; la Constitution française de 1946 ; la Constitution française de 1958 ; la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme et des libertés fondamentales mise en place en 1959 ; la Charte des droits fondamentaux de l'Union européenne de 2000 ; la Charte de l’environnement de 2005.

Source: French Ministry of the Interior, formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Licence Ouverte / Etalab 2.0.

Topic 03 · Rights and duties

The rest is part of CIVIC unlimited.

The rest of the course opens with the subscription, €4.99 a month, cancel anytime. The free account already gives you a full topic and a mock exam.

What you get

  • All 5 topics of the syllabus
  • Unlimited question sets
  • Unlimited mock exams
See the subscriptionCreate my free account
See the subscription

No commitment, cancel any time from your own space. Secure card payment.

In French CIVIC itself runs in French, like the exam.

Fundamental rights flow from the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, still in force today. They come with duties that make collective life possible: obeying the law, contributing to public spending, making sure your children are educated.

What to remember

One idea per line. Figures stand out: dates, terms of office and phone numbers are learnt exactly as written.

Fundamental freedoms
  • Freedom of expression, of conscience, of assembly, of association, of movement.
  • They are not absolute: insult, defamation, incitement to hatred and calls to violence remain punishable by law.
  • Freedom of expression protects opinion, not aggression.
The ban on discrimination
  • The law forbids treating someone unfavourably because of their origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or state of health.
  • This applies to hiring, housing and access to a service.
  • Discrimination is a criminal offence, not a simple lapse.
Everyday duties
  • Obeying the law and court decisions, paying your taxes and contributions, respecting public property, having your children educated.
  • Education is compulsory from 3 to 16, and an obligation to remain in training runs until 18.
Justice
  • Everyone is presumed innocent until guilt is established.
  • Everyone has the right to a fair trial and to be defended by a lawyer; legal aid may cover the cost depending on your means.
  • Civil justice settles disputes between private parties, criminal justice punishes offences.

Put it into practice

Start with no card.

CIVIC brings together the official wordings, timed mock exams and the syllabus study sheets, in your browser. A full topic and a complete mock exam are yours when you create your account.

Start for free

No card required · Nothing to install · The diagnostic is never counted

In French CIVIC itself runs in French, like the exam.