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The French national anthem
The national anthem of France is a song. It is called La Marseillaise and it recalls the Revolution.
Key points of the sheet
- This song was composed in 1792 to support soldiers during a war. It represents the liberty, resistance and unity of the French people.
- In April 1792, a French officer composed the "Chant de guerre pour l'armée du Rhin". In August 1792, a battalion of people from Marseille sang it during a revolt in Paris.
- The song spread quickly in France. It was declared the national song on 14 July 1795 and from then on was called La Marseillaise.
- Banned for many years, it was sung again during the Revolution of 1830. It became the national anthem in 1879, during the Third Republic.
- The anthem is heard at official State ceremonies and at international sports events. It is also heard at exceptional gatherings, for example after the attacks of 2015.
Words to know
- national anthem (hymne national)
- The national anthem of France is a song called La Marseillaise.
- La Marseillaise
- It is the national anthem; it recalls the Revolution and represents liberty, resistance and unity.
- War Song for the Army of the Rhine (Chant de guerre pour l’armée du Rhin)
- It is the first name of the song, composed by a French officer in April 1792.
- national song (chant national)
- The song was declared the national song on 14 July 1795.
- Berlioz
- He is a famous French composer who arranged the song so an orchestra could play it.
Test yourself: 3 questions
In which year did La Marseillaise become the national anthem?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année La Marseillaise devient-elle l'hymne national ?
La Marseillaise became the national anthem in 1879, during the Third Republic.
Who sang this song during a revolt in Paris in August 1792?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui chante ce chant lors d'une révolte à Paris en août 1792 ?
A battalion of people from Marseille took up the song during a revolt in Paris in August 1792.
Which composer arranged La Marseillaise for an orchestra?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel compositeur arrange La Marseillaise pour un orchestre ?
Berlioz, a famous French composer, arranged the song so that an orchestra could play it.
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Source
Sheet “L'hymne français” 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.