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Who must respect religious neutrality in public services?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: The people who work in the public service. People who work in public services must stay neutral. They do not show their convictions, so every user is treated fairly. Neutrality is not required of users. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “La laïcité dans les services publics” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “La laïcité dans les services publics” (French), read on 21 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
- ✗ The users who come to a counterLes usagers qui viennent à un guichetNeutrality is not required of users. They may wear a religious sign.
- ✗ The customers of a restaurantLes clients d'un restaurantA restaurant is open to all: everyone may show their religion there.
- ✗ People walking in the streetLes personnes qui marchent dans la rueIn public space, everyone may show their religion.
- ✓ The people who work in the public serviceLes personnes qui travaillent dans le service publicCorrect answer. People who work in public services must stay neutral. They do not show their convictions, so every user is treated fairly. Neutrality is not required of users.
What the source says
« Les personnes qui travaillent dans les services publics ainsi que dans les entreprises ou associations qui ont une mission de service public ne peuvent pas exprimer ou montrer leurs convictions (religieuses, politiques ou philosophiques). »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Qui doit respecter la neutralité religieuse dans les services publics ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the list of the naturalisation version of the exam (PDF relayed by Le Français des affaires, read on 14 October 2026; the Ministry's own page for this list did not answer). The list's wording: “Qui doit respecter et veiller à la neutralité religieuse dans les services publics ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “La laïcité dans les services publics” (French).
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