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The French motto
This sheet helps you understand the origin and meaning of the French motto. It also helps you know the republican symbols mentioned in the Constitution.
Key points of the sheet
- The motto of the French Republic is "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity". It expresses the values that French people hold dear.
- The motto speaks of liberty for each person and equality between all. Fraternity means solidarity between citizens.
- The motto appears during the French Revolution, in 1789. The revolutionaries want a fairer society, based on these three values.
- The motto has been official since 1848. It was adopted under the Second Republic and is part of the national heritage.
- Under the Third Republic, the motto is visible almost everywhere, for example on town halls (mairies) and schools. It is still written in the 1958 Constitution.
- The motto is a strong symbol of the Republic. It unites citizens and guides democratic life in France.
- You can read the motto on public buildings, on some coins and stamps, and on official documents. You also see it during national days, such as 14 July.
Words to know
- motto (devise)
- The motto of the Republic is "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity". It expresses the values that French people hold dear.
- fraternity (fraternité)
- Fraternity means solidarity between citizens.
- French Revolution (Révolution française)
- The motto appears during the French Revolution, in 1789.
- Second Republic (2ème République)
- The motto was officially adopted in 1848, under the Second Republic.
- Constitution
- The motto is still written in today's Constitution, from 1958.
- national heritage (patrimoine national)
- The motto is part of the national heritage.
Test yourself: 3 questions
In what year was the motto adopted by the Republic?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année la devise est-elle adoptée par la République ?
The motto was adopted in 1848, under the Second Republic.
When did the motto first appear?
In French, the language of the exam: Quand la devise apparaît-elle pour la première fois ?
The motto appears during the French Revolution, in 1789.
In the motto, what does "fraternity" mean?
In French, the language of the exam: Dans la devise, que veut dire « fraternité » ?
The sheet says that fraternity means solidarity between citizens.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité": what is it?
- Where can you see the motto of the Republic?
- Which is one of the symbols of the French Republic?
- What is the motto of France?
More in this topic (The motto of the Republic)
Source
Sheet “La devise française” 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.