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Presentation of the main texts (1/3): the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

Written by the Hexaciv editorial team · Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026 · Our method

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Key points of the sheet

1. Adopted on 26 August 1789, it breaks with the Ancien Régime and sets the programme of the French Revolution: a democracy based on justice, equality and liberty, where power belongs to the people. It was taken up by the Constitution of 1791 and became a legal reference for modern democracies all over the world.
2. The text has an introduction and 17 articles; Article 1 says: "Men are born and remain free and equal in rights." Article 2 lists natural rights: liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.
3. No one may be harassed for their opinions, even religious ones, as long as expressing them does not disturb the public order established by law. Every citizen may speak, write and print freely, but must answer for abuse of this freedom in the cases set by law.
4. The text sets other principles. For example: the presumption of innocence, national sovereignty, the separation of powers and the duty to pay tax according to one's means.
5. The preamble says that ignorance, neglect or contempt of the rights of man are the only causes of public misfortunes and of the corruption of governments. The declaration must constantly remind everyone of their rights and duties.
6. According to Article 4, liberty means being able to do anything that does not harm others; only the law can set its limits. According to Article 6, the law expresses the general will; Article 7 forbids arresting someone outside the cases set by law.
7. According to Article 9, every man is presumed innocent until he is declared guilty. According to Article 16, a society without a guarantee of rights or separation of powers has no Constitution.
8. Citizens may check the need for the public contribution, agree to it freely and follow how it is used (Article 14). Society may ask any public official to account for their work, and property is an inviolable and sacred right (Articles 15 and 17).

Words to know

inalienable (inaliénables)

These rights cannot be given to someone else. They belong to the person.

Ancien Régime

The 1789 Declaration marks a break with the Ancien Régime.

presumption of innocence (présomption d'innocence)

Every person is presumed innocent until they are declared guilty.

separation of powers (séparation des pouvoirs)

Under the absolute monarchy, one person controlled the powers. A society without a guarantee of rights or separation of powers has no Constitution.

national sovereignty (souveraineté nationale)

The principle of all sovereignty lies essentially in the Nation.

public force (force publique)

It is needed to guarantee rights. It exists for the benefit of all.

common contribution (contribution commune)

It pays for the public force and administrative costs. It must be shared among citizens according to their means.

Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet

• Why are the three powers separated in a democracy?
• Who holds national sovereignty in France?
• Which text sets out the rights and duties of people living in France?
• What year is the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen from?
• For what reason can freedom of expression be limited?
• What must a person do when police or gendarmes give orders?

More in this topic (Fundamental rights)

• Citizenship
• A fundamental right: the right to make decisions about your own body
• Economic and social rights and so-called third-generation rights