Preparing for the French naturalization Interview

Becoming a French Citizen: What you really need to know about French culture and the values of the Republic.

Obtaining French nationality is not just about passing a language test or submitting administrative documents. It’s about embracing a shared project, a vision of society, and the fundamental values that form the foundation of the French Republic. This is the focus of the naturalization interview today.

With the Retailleau circular (May 2025), prefects are now tasked with more precisely assessing the applicant’s adherence to the values of the French Republic. The Charte des droits et devoirs du citoyen français (Charter of Rights and Duties of the French Citizen), included in the application file, plays a central role in this process.

In this article, we will explore this charter and the cultural and civic knowledge essential to master before your interview. What you’ll find here is not about rote memorization but about applying general knowledge to your daily life in France.

Why Is the charter so important?

Every individual seeking French citizenship through naturalization must sign this charter, as required by Article 21-24 of the Civil Code. However, it’s not a mere formality. During the interview, the prefecture agent may ask if you have read and understood it and, more importantly, if you are prepared to live in accordance with its principles.

The charter is a concise summary of the values, principles, and symbols that define the Republic. It also outlines the rights a French citizen enjoys and the duties they commit to upholding.

Fundamental Principles of the Republic

France is an indivisible, secular, democratic, and social Republic, as defined by the 1958 Constitution.

Indivisibility

This means the law applies equally to everyone across the entire territory. No region or community can separate itself from this framework. Sovereignty belongs to the entire French people, with no separate rights based on origin or culture.

Secularity (Laïcité)

This fundamental principle guarantees freedom of conscience. Everyone is free to believe or not believe. The State neither recognizes nor funds any religion. In return, citizens are expected to respect the neutrality of public spaces.

Democracy

In France, power belongs to the people and is exercised through regular, free, and secret elections. All adult citizens have the right to vote and the duty to participate in democratic life (voting, debates, local engagement, etc.).

Social Solidarity

The Republic ensures the protection of health, family, education, and the right to a dignified life for all. It considers that all citizens must contribute to the collective effort through taxes and social contributions.

Symbols of the Republic

These symbols are part of French civic culture, and you must know and recognize them:

The tricolor flag (blue, white, red), inherited from the French Revolution.
La Marseillaise, the national anthem, sung during official ceremonies.
The motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), displayed on public buildings.
July 14, the national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille (1789).
Marianne, the allegorical figure of the Republic, symbolizing freedom.

These may seem symbolic, but they are often discussed during interviews. For example, you might be asked to explain what “equality” means or to describe a July 14 ceremony.

Rights of French citizens

Obtaining nationality grants you fundamental rights, including:

The right to vote and run for office.
Freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
Freedom to join or form an union.
Freedom to create or join a political party.
The right to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, and respect for privacy.
Access to free, public, and secular education.

During the interview, you may be asked if you are aware of these rights, whether you already benefit from them, and how you apply them in your daily life.

Duties of French citizens

Acquiring nationality also means committing to certain duties, including:

Respecting the law, the foundation of social life.
Contributing to national expenses, particularly through taxes.
Participating in national defense if needed (military service, civic service).
Respecting other citizens, regardless of their origin, gender, or religion.
Respecting public order by behaving in a way that does not disrupt collective life.

You may be questioned about these commitments. For example: “Are you ready to defend France?”, “What does respecting the law mean to you?”, or “Why is paying taxes important?”

Applied Knowledge, not academic

The interview’s goal is not to check if you’ve memorized dates or read the entire Constitution. It aims to verify whether you understand the spirit of the French Republic and whether you already act, speak, and make choices like a citizen.

You should be able to respond to simple yet profound questions, such as:

“What does liberty mean to you?”
“How do you experience secularism?”
“What are your thoughts on gender equality?”
“What does La Marseillaise represent to you?”

There is no single right or wrong answer. What matters is that your response demonstrates a personal and sincere understanding of French values.

How to prepare effectively?

The best preparation involves carefully reading the charter, connecting it to your own experiences, and discussing it with others. Ask yourself: Do I know French institutions? Do I vote? I respect the Republic’s values in my daily life? Do I participate in my neighborhood, my children’s school, or my workplace?

You can also practice orally with a teacher or friend, rephrasing key principles in your own words and providing concrete examples. Language matters, of course, but clarity, sincerity, and consistency between what you say and do are essential.

Conclusion: more than a test, a personal commitment

French nationality is not just a passport. It’s a voluntary commitment to shared principles, a collective history, and a vision of communal life.

The Retailleau circular emphasizes that this commitment must be verifiable and lived, not merely declared. By preparing seriously for this interview, you’re not just preparing an application—you’re preparing your place in the national community.

If you’d like personalized support to study the charter, civic culture, or to practice for the oral component of your naturalization process, Your Online French Teacher offers tailored modules. Feel free to contact me to set up a program suited to your journey.

A bientôt !

Elodie