Home › Explained sheets › Principles and values of the Republic
The definition of secularism (laïcité) (1/2)
Secularism (laïcité) guarantees freedom of conscience for everyone. Each person is free to have or not have a religion, to change it or to stop having one.
Key points of the sheet
- You are free to practise a religion without disturbing public order. For example: no noise at night, no gathering of crowds in the street.
- Secularism also guarantees the freedom not to practise a religion. Nobody can be forced to follow the rules of a religion.
- Secularism separates the State and religious organisations. Everyone is equal before the law, whatever their religion or beliefs. Order is based only on the sovereignty of the people.
- The French State recognises no religion. It neither pays salaries to nor subsidises any religion, and it does not take part in the internal running of religious organisations.
- In France, religions do not influence the decisions of political power. The State, local authorities (collectivités territoriales) and public services are neutral towards religions.
- Secularism is not an opinion: it is a constitutional principle. Article 1 of the 1958 Constitution says that France is a secular Republic.
Words to know
- secularism (laïcité)
- It is the principle that guarantees freedom of conscience for everyone.
- freedom of conscience (liberté de conscience)
- It is the freedom to have or not have a religion, to change it or to stop having one.
- public order (ordre public)
- It means respecting the rules of life in society, for example no noise at night.
- separation between the State and religious organisations (séparation entre l’État et les organisations religieuses)
- It is a consequence of the principle of secularism. Because of it, the State is neutral towards religions.
- local authorities (collectivités territoriales)
- Like the State and public services, they are neutral towards religions.
- constitutional principle (principe constitutionnel)
- Secularism is a constitutional principle, not an opinion.
Test yourself: 3 questions
What does the French State do with religions?
In French, the language of the exam: Que fait l'État français avec les cultes ?
The sheet says that the French State neither pays nor subsidises any religion.
Under what condition can you practise a religion?
In French, the language of the exam: On peut pratiquer une religion à quelle condition ?
Freedom of conscience allows you to practise a religion without disturbing public order.
In France, what is order based on?
In French, the language of the exam: En France, sur quoi l'ordre est-il fondé ?
The sheet says that order is based only on the sovereignty of the people.
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
- Which institution must stay neutral towards religions?
- Are you allowed to change religion in France?
- What does the principle of laïcité guarantee?
- What does laïcité represent in France?
- According to laïcité, what does the neutrality of the State mean?
- Which freedom lets a person have no religion?
More in this topic (Secularism (laïcité))
- Secularism (laïcité) at school (1/2)
- Secularism (laïcité) at school (2/2)
- Secularism (laïcité) at work
Source
Sheet “La définition de la laïcité (1/2)” 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.