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French civic exam 2026, Living in French Society
At what age does compulsory education start for children?
An official question of the French civic exam, with its answer and the official text that proves it, in French and English.
Resident card no. 203
À quel âge commence l'instruction obligatoire des enfants ?
At what age does compulsory education start for children?
Answer. At age 3.
À 3 ans.
Since 2019, education has been compulsory from age 3 to age 16, for every child living in France.
The official text that proves it
« Par exemple : l'instruction est obligatoire pour tout enfant entre 3 et 16 ans. Des parents qui ne respectent pas cette obligation peuvent recevoir une amende et faire une peine de prison. »
For example, education is compulsory for every child between the ages of 3 and 16. Parents who do not comply with this requirement can receive a fine and a prison sentence.
In French, with its English meaning. read the official sheet
Next questions in this theme
- What is the age of majority in France?
- At school, what are parents forbidden from doing?
- What reason for absence is accepted by the school?
- Parents fail to comply with the requirement to educate their children. What is the maximum penalty they risk?
- When do the Christmas school holidays take place?
All 521 official questions, in French and English
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The three ministry lists, every question answered with its official proof in both languages, readable offline. Forty scenario questions with answers, the kind the ministry never publishes.
Free mock exam, 40 questions in 45 minutes, in French like the real one
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Questions from the official lists of the French Ministry of the Interior, quotations from the civic training sheets, the Constitution and the 1789 Declaration, Licence Ouverte Etalab 2.0. This is not a government site. The official sheets are free, in French, on formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr.
