Home › Explained sheets › Principles and values of the Republic
Liberty
In France, each person can think, express themselves and live as they wish. The only limit is not to stop another person from doing the same.
Key points of the sheet
- Liberty is a fundamental value. It is guaranteed by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789.
- The French State protects this liberty. It sets limits so that the liberty of some does not stop the liberty of others.
- There are two types of liberties. The liberties of each person: for example, moving around with your residence permit (titre de séjour), having or not having a religion, expressing an opinion.
- There are also liberties that concern several people. For example: gathering, taking part in a demonstration, joining a trade union.
- Liberty is a right for everyone, with no difference of country of origin, parents, ancestors or religion. A person who has understood this principle well can then live, work, learn and express themselves in complete safety.
Words to know
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen)
- It is a text from 1789. It guarantees liberty.
- fundamental value (valeur fondamentale)
- Liberty is a fundamental value of the Republic.
- residence permit (titre de séjour)
- With a residence permit, a person can move around the territory.
- trade union (syndicat)
- People can join a trade union to defend common interests.
- demonstration (manifestation)
- Taking part in a demonstration is a liberty that concerns several people.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What year is the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen from?
In French, the language of the exam: De quelle année date la Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen ?
Liberty is guaranteed by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789.
Which liberty concerns several people?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle liberté concerne plusieurs personnes ?
Joining a trade union to defend common interests is a liberty that concerns several people.
For whom is liberty a right?
In French, the language of the exam: Pour qui la liberté est-elle un droit ?
Liberty is a right for everyone, with no difference of country of origin, parents or religion.
You have read the sheet. See where you stand with 40 questions like the real exam.
Take the free mock exam (40 questions)Free mock exam · Exam Pass €19 incl. VAT, paid once, no subscription
Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- What is freedom, according to the principles of the Republic?
- Under individual freedom, what can a person do?
- What does freedom of movement allow?
- What is freedom in France?
- What does freedom mean?
- What does the right to demonstrate mean?
More in this topic (The motto of the Republic)
Source
Sheet “La liberté” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.