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Getting Involved in Local Life in France

Follow what's happening in your town, sign a petition and speak up at a neighbourhood meeting.

Local life in France revolves around the mairie (town hall) and the maire, who is very visible. Meetings of the conseil municipal are public, and larger towns have « conseils de quartier » where any resident can raise issues like traffic or a closing school. Many cities, Paris included, run a « budget participatif » where residents propose and vote on local projects, and petitions and residents' associations are a common way to push the mairie.

Historic French building with EU and French flags in a serene courtyard setting.
Photo: amine photographe on Pexels
  1. 1

    Le conseil municipal se réunit quand ?

    When does the town council meet?

  2. 2

    Les séances sont ouvertes au public ?

    Can anyone attend the meetings?

    Tip: Ask whether they're 'open to the public'.

  3. 3

    Il y a un conseil de quartier jeudi.

    There's a neighbourhood meeting on Thursday.

  4. 4

    L'association des riverains fait signer une pétition.

    The residents' association is collecting signatures.

  5. 5

    C'est à quel sujet ?

    What's it all about?

  6. 6

    Ils veulent fermer l'école du quartier.

    They want to close the local school.

  7. 7

    Je signe où ?

    Where do I sign?

  8. 8

    J'aimerais soulever un problème.

    I'd like to raise an issue.

  9. 9

    Il faudrait des ralentisseurs dans cette rue.

    Speed bumps are needed on this street.

  10. 10

    C'est qui, le responsable ?

    Who's responsible for that?

  11. 11

    Il faut contacter la mairie.

    You need to contact the town hall.

  12. 12

    J'ai déposé un projet au budget participatif.

    I submitted a project to the participatory budget.

  13. 13

    Les habitants peuvent voter en ligne.

    Residents can vote online.

  14. 14

    Ça avance.

    Things are moving forward.

  15. 15

    Ça traîne depuis des mois.

    It's been dragging on for months.

  16. 16

    Il faut qu'on s'implique.

    We have to get involved.

  17. 17

    Je suis bénévole aux Restos du Cœur.

    I volunteer at the food bank.

  18. 18

    C'est important de participer à la vie locale.

    It's important to be part of community life.

  19. 19

    Je vais écrire un mail au maire.

    I'm going to email the mayor.

  20. 20

    On a obtenu gain de cause !

    We got what we wanted!