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LIVING IN FRANCE

Passports, blood, and the Moulin Rouge: 6 essential articles for life in France

What the EU’s new Entry and Exit System means for dual nationals, good news for Britons who want to move to France post-Brexit (you still can), property taxes, what the grand-sounding ‘attestation sur l'honneur’ actually is, donating blood and Moulin Rouge facts. They’re all in this week’s Local must-reads

Published: 28 April 2024 09:25 CEST

Paris's Moulin Rouge cabaret one of the most famous landmarks in Paris

Paris's Moulin Rouge cabaret, one of the French capital's most famous landmarks. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

The EU’s Entry & Exit System (EES) of enhanced passport checks will usher in big changes for travellers – here we answer readers’ questions on the position for dual nationals.

What will Europe’s EES passport checks mean for dual nationals?

We’re not going to lie to you – there’s no doubt that Brexit has made moving to France more complicated for Brits. Importantly, however, it is still possible, and popular, according to France-based estate agents who deal very regularly with British clientele. Here are some of the things you need to know before making the move.

9 things Brits need to know about moving to France since Brexit

Speaking of moving to France, here’s something anyone with property here will need to know. With the deadline to have completed the property tax declaration approaching, here’s a look at all the vocabulary you will need to fill out the form.

Vocab guide for the French property tax declaration

At some point during your life in France, you will probably be asked to write a grand-sounding ‘attestation sur l’honneur’ – here’s what this document is for and how to write one properly.

How to write a French ‘attestation sur l’honneur’

Donating blood can help save lives – and authorities often issue appeals for donors around holiday periods, including the public holidays in May. If you want to donate in France, here is what you need to know … especially, and this is important, if you’re a Brit of a certain age….

How to donate blood in France

And finally… it has been in the news over the past few days, because the sails fell off. Here’s a look at the wild history and the turbulent present of Paris cabaret the Moulin Rouge.

5 things to know about Paris’ iconic Moulin Rouge

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What is France's 'citizen service' and who has to do it?

France scrapped compulsory military service in 1997 so its teenagers are no longer required to do 10 months of square-bashing, boot polishing and cross country runs.

They are, however, required to do the Journée défense et citoyenneté (JDC) in most cases – although this at least has the benefit of being just a single day.

What is it?

The JDC is basically a one-day course or learning exercise about your rights and responsibilities as a citizen of France.

You will receive teaching on three main areas;

The general issues and objectives of national defence, and on the different forms of commitment required from citizens. This part of the course is usually taught by members of the French military
Civics lessons – similar to those given in French schools – based on the Charte des droits et devoirs du citoyen français (Charter of rights and duties of French citizens)
Information on equality between men and women, on the fight against sexist prejudice and on the fight against physical, psychological or sexual violence committed within the couple

You will also be given a brief test on your knowledge of the French language. This is for everyone, not just foreigners, and language learners can feel comforted by the fact that plenty of native French people also struggle with the intricacies of their language.

You do not have to pass any kind of exam on the contents of the citizenship course – more on the curriculum here.

The course usually lasts seven and a half hours – basically a standard working day.

Who has to do it?

There are two things that young people in France must do – the recensement citoyen (citizen census) and then, in most cases, the JDC.

The recensement citoyen is compulsory for;

Any French citizens who are turning 16 – they must complete the registration within three months of their 16th birthday.
Anyone who gains French nationality between the ages of 16 and 25 – they must sign up within a month of getting their citizenship.

It is not required for people older than 25 who gain French citizenship, neither is it required for non-French citizens – even if they are long-term residents in France.

People who fail to complete the recensement citoyen when required cannot be inscribed onto the electoral rolls (and therefore cannot vote), while the certificate of completion is also usually required to enrol for French public exams or administrative exams (eg professional qualifications).

Once you have completed the census, you will then receive notice for the one-day citizenship course (JDC). This is compulsory for most people, although there are exceptions for people who have a disability or a long-term illness.

How do you do it?

First off, the recensement citoyen can be done either online or in person, if you choose the online option it is done at the local mairie.

It’s a relatively simple sign-up process and then you receive the attestation de recensement, which will be required for registering for exams. Once you have completed this, you will automatically be added to the electoral roll once you reach the age of 18.

Once this is completed, you will then receive a convocation (summons) to your one-day JDC. The letter will provide details of how and where to do the course, as well as the options to appeal if you believe you are exempt on the grounds of illness or disability.

It also gives you an autorisation d’absence exceptionnelle – authorisation of absence, which you present to your employer if you are working or an apprentice. They are then legally obliged to give you the day off to attend.

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