1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State information
Legal basis of state secularism in France
Law on the Separation of Church and State
Legislative Chambers of the French Third Republic
Long title
Law of 9 December 1905 on the Separation of the Churches and State
Territorial extent
France, except in:
Alsace and Moselle
French Guiana, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, New Caledonia and Mayotte
Passed by
Chamber of Deputies
Passed
3 July 1905
Passed by
Senate
Passed
6 December 1905
Signed by
President Émile Loubet
Signed
9 December 1905
Commenced
1 January 1906
Legislative history
First chamber: Chamber of Deputies
Introduced by
Aristide Briand (SI) Émile Combes (PRRRS) Jean Jaurès (SFIO) Francis de Pressensé (SFIO)
Passed
3 July 1905
Second chamber: Senate
Passed
6 December 1905
Keywords
Separation of Church and State Freedom of religion Freedom of expression
Status: Current legislation
The 1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and State (French: Loi du 9 décembre 1905 concernant la séparation des Églises et de l'État) was passed by the Chamber of Deputies on 3 July 1905. Enacted during the Third Republic, it established state secularism in France. France was then governed by the Bloc des gauches (Left Coalition) led by Émile Combes. The law was based on three principles: the neutrality of the state, the freedom of religious exercise, and public powers related to the church. This law is seen as the backbone of the French principle of laïcité (secularism). It is however not applicable in Alsace and Moselle, which were part of Germany when it was enacted.
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