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What is the capital of France?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Paris. The capital of France is Paris. The main institutions of the Republic sit there. Think: Paris, capital. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Projet de loi relatif au statut de Paris et à l'aménagement métropolitain (Sénat)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Projet de loi relatif au statut de Paris et à l'aménagement métropolitain (Sénat)” (French), read on 15 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✓ ParisParisCorrect answer. The capital of France is Paris. The main institutions of the Republic sit there. Think: Paris, capital.
- ✗ LyonLyonLyon is a big French city, but it is not the capital.
- ✗ MarseilleMarseilleMarseille is a big port, but it is not the capital.
- ✗ BordeauxBordeauxBordeaux is not the capital: the sheet says the institutions of the Republic sit in the capital, Paris.
What the source says
« Cette dérogation au droit commun se justifiait en outre par son statut de capitale, économique et politique, où siègent les différentes institutions de la République. »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 15 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Quelle est la capitale de la France ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the multi-year residence card (CSP). The Ministry's wording: “Quelle est la capitale de la France ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Projet de loi relatif au statut de Paris et à l'aménagement métropolitain (Sénat)” (French).
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