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Bizarre French legal guidelines aren’t a fairy story – they DO exist!
Each nation has its assortment of unusual legal guidelines however some bizarre French legal guidelines actually needs to be struck off the books: they’re too historic, too old school, or just too silly.
Some bizarre legal guidelines in France truly nonetheless make sense, regardless of their age, and it’s simple to see how or why their utility would possibly make life a bit of simpler.
Others could be irritating, just like the one about frogs (#10 under).
And but others will merely make you giggle at their implausibility.
However they’re all… very French.
Emperor Napoleon reveals off his model new code to Empress Josephine (Engraving by François-Anne David)Many legal guidelines contained within the Civil Code, also called the Napoleonic Code, date again to Napoleon Bonaparte, who died greater than 200 years in the past.
I’m not a lawyer and I can’t vouch for the existence or validity of those legal guidelines past the references I’ve added, must you doubt my phrase. Beware, although, these references are from French authorities web sites and are, in fact, in French. Sorry about that, however on this case, it’s French or nothing… I don’t anticipate you to learn them, however they’re there to show my level.
Bizarre French legal guidelines that point forgot
Time might have forgotten these legal guidelines, however maybe it ought to make an effort to recollect: they are often stuffy, antiquated, ridiculous, or just ineffective.
Are they legitimate or are they simply silly French legal guidelines? No matter we predict, I’m positive some lawyer or bureaucrat someplace could be fast to inform us simply how important these may be.
1. It’s forbidden to talk something apart from French in France
This refers back to the oldest legislation in France, the Edict of Villers-Cotterêts, issued by King François I in 1539. The legislation was wide-ranging, coping with every thing from justice to centralization. All its provisions have been outmoded – besides Articles 110-111, which change the then lingua franca, Latin, with French.
Nonetheless well-meaning the legislation, it solely utilized to the elite in France, particularly helpful in disseminating administrative paperwork. As for the final inhabitants, it might take some time longer to desert their Occitan or their Provençal…
These two articles stay in impact at this time and nonetheless utilized by the Cour de Cassation (France’s highest courtroom). French habits die laborious.
King François I, just a few years earlier than issuing the Villers-Cotterêts decree2. You may marry your first cousin
In lots of nations, first cousin marriages could be thought of incestuous. Not in France.
Right here’s who you CAN’T marry in France:
- Your father, mom, youngster, grand-parent, grand-child
- Your brother or sister
- Your half-brother or half-sister
- Your uncle, aunt, niece or nephew
Do you see “first cousin” anyplace? No you don’t. It’s not there.
However what in case you desperately need to marry your aunt or grand-father?
You may, beneath sure circumstances, however the President of France should first authorize it. What I haven’t been capable of finding out are what these “sure circumstances” are… (Article 164 of the Civil Code)
3. No kissing in practice stations
It could seem (I haven’t been capable of finding this one) {that a} 1910 legislation forbids you from French kissing in a French practice station.
Why?
It would delay the practice.
4. You need to at all times have hay at dwelling
In fact, ought to the King come by… he’ll want some for his horses. I haven’t discovered a authorized reference for this outdated legislation both, however others swear it exists. I may simply consider it existed, as soon as upon a time.
Haystacks – handy in case you should at all times have some hay at dwelling. Portray by Léon Augustin LhermitteBizarre French legal guidelines which can be simply… bizarre
5. You don’t should be alive to get married
That is really a kind of unusual French legal guidelines and appears to use provided that the useless particular person had the intention of marrying you within the first place.
There’s a hitch, although: the President of France has to present his OK.
Right here’s how Article 171 of the Civil Code lays it out. Say you had been about to get married however your future partner died earlier than you had an opportunity to tie the knot. What then?
Properly, if the President agrees, the surviving partner can nonetheless get married, and the wedding might be dated the day earlier than his or her dying. I’m not fairly positive how the ceremony would unfold… In fact, you’ll be able to rely a handful of posthumous marriages lately.
6. Go forward and steal from your loved ones
This is some surprising authorized floor: you received’t be punished to your theft, as a result of they can’t file a grievance in opposition to you.
Sounds ridiculous, proper? I don’t know what’s behind this one, however it’s true. In keeping with Article 311-12 of the French Penal Code, you’ll be able to’t press costs in opposition to relations for theft.
However in fact, there are exceptions, for instance, if these paperwork are important, like a passport or id papers. Your brother steals these? Head straight for the police station.
7. You can not disinherit your youngsters
If you happen to’ve had a battle and haven’t spoken to your youngster for years, regardless of, the legislation is obvious: your son or daughter nonetheless inherits (the quantities are fastened by legislation).
Quite a lot of articles within the Civil Code cope with this and French inheritance legislation is complicated. Backside line – everybody will get an equal share.
There’s a main exception: in case your youngster commits homicide or manslaughter, or criminally contributes to somebody’s dying, she or he could be categorized as “indigne”, or unworthy, and excluded out of your will. The remaining belongings are then redistributed equally.
Household ties are sturdy right here.
Regardless of what number of kids you could have or how properly you get together with them, in France they may inherit their share8. Wish to throw your garments off if you get dwelling? Don’t!
Cautious. You possibly can be fined as much as 15,000 and spend as much as a yr in jail − at the least that’s the case if there’s an opportunity somebody would possibly see you. And double it if a minor would possibly see you.
Article 222-32 of the Penal Code offers with exhibitionism and sexual harassment, and prohibits you from being bare inside your individual dwelling if there’s an opportunity somebody would possibly see you.
There are many shades of grey surrounding this legislation and heaps of exceptions, nonetheless, you could be stepping bare out of your bathe and if somebody sees you, they may press costs.
Discuss time to purchase these blackout curtains!
9. You can not identify your pig Napoleon
This humorous legislation is a basic, and is commonly the primary quoted of the unusual French legal guidelines nonetheless in existence. It could have been designed to respect the Emperor’s picture, method again when.
Apart from one factor.
Nobody can discover any authorized supply for it. It might have existed. It might not have.
So in case you actually actually need to identify your cochon Napoléon, you would possibly simply get away with it.
10. The frogs in your pond should be quiet
That is an intriguing one, as I’ve a pond filled with loud frogs for a number of weeks in summer time.
In keeping with what has bought to be one of many weirdest French legal guidelines, if the frogs make an excessive amount of noise, the neighbors can complain. In the event that they win, they will have your pond sealed or destroyed.
However this creates a little bit of a authorized conundrum. What occurs to the frogs?
You see, in France, frogs are a protected species
In keeping with Article L415-3 of the Environmental Code, anybody who damages these protected species or their atmosphere could be fined as much as € 150,000 (USD 162,000) and punished with three years in jail.
Hmmm.
11. You may’t have alcohol at work (apart from wine, beer, cider and pear brandy)
If you happen to’ve ever been to a French work cafeteria, you would possibly keep in mind your shock at seeing small bottles of wine and beer proper subsequent to Coke and bottled water. Whereas it is a disappearing behavior, it’s completely authorized.
However to be on the protected aspect, Article R4228-20 of the Labor Code does have a provision banning even these drinks when worker well being is threatened or if the corporate’s inner guidelines forbid alcohol. The legislation doesn’t say you must promote these drinks at work – it simply says you’ll be able to.
French legal guidelines which will make (some) sense, typically
Not each bizarre French legislation is impossibly hopeless, and you may see the considering behind a few of them even at this time. Whether or not you agree or not, although, that’s a unique story.
Right here, then, are some legal guidelines whose rationale you would possibly glimpse (in case you look laborious sufficient!)
12. Your mother and father can say No to your marriage
Sure, even with grownup kids. You may thank Napoleon, but once more.
In keeping with Article 173 of the Civil Code, mother and father can oppose marriage of their kids. Grandparents can do the identical, so ensure you get that prior permission.
In fact this may’t be just because they don’t like your future husband… there must be a very good cause, and these embody the invention of bigamy, the absence of consent, or compelled marriage.
13. You can not identify your child Mini-Cooper, Sponge Bob or Ikea
In keeping with Article 57 of the Civil Code, if the identify you’ve chosen would possibly go in opposition to the kid’s rights or wellbeing, the Registry Official can let the Justice Ministry know, who can then refer the case to Household Court docket.
If the identify is judged in opposition to the kid’s curiosity, the decide can ask the mother and father to provide you with one thing extra wise, or change it himself.
So don’t attempt to be too unique… or your extra of originality could also be punished with probably the most banal of names.
14. You can not spit on the sidewalk
It is a little bit of an oldie and was adopted by the Vichy authorities in 1942, at a time of widespread tuberculosis. The legislation seems to nonetheless be on the books, though it’s nearly unenforceable.
If something, has been strengthened. In 2016, the prohibition was prolonged from the sidewalk and “public area” to public transportation. And with the arrival of the Covid pandemic, fines had been tripled for public well being causes.
No spitting on the bus, please!
15. Nor are you able to urinate on the road…
Though somebody forgot to inform French males.
16. Hungry? Please depart the workplace
That’s proper, it’s unlawful to eat in your workplace or manufacturing unit (except a Labor Inspector says it’s all proper).
Article R4228-19 of the Labor Code desires to ensure you depart your desk at lunchtime. Keep in mind, the French have the longest lunch hours and with France’s gastronomic meal now protected by UNESCO, lunch is not any laughing matter.
17. Ze present should go on
As with an analogous legislation in Quebec to safeguard French tradition, France has a cap on international music. A 1994 legislation, referred to as the Loi Toubon after the minister who enacted it, set a French music quota compelled French radio stations to verify at the least 40% of the music they aired was French. The transfer, mixed with French copyright legislation, has been a inventive stimulus for French artists.
Controversial when it was handed in, Regulation 94-665, as it is usually recognized, now enjoys widespread help.
Its attain goes far past music. By favoring French over English creep, it has made positive all primary info is accessible in French, from work contracts with international multinationals to French language instruction manuals.
18. Wish to mow your garden on Sunday afternoon? That’s a no-no
This one is acquainted to me, as a result of the principles are comparatively strictly enforced the place I stay, at the least for on a regular basis residents (farmers can reap at any hour).
Sunday mornings, then again, are honest sport, which appears a bit of counterintuitive. In spite of everything, isn’t Sunday morning a day to sleep in? Do you actually need your sleep shattered by a lawnmower?
In keeping with France’s Nationwide Noise Council, you’ll be able to go forward and run your drill or combine your cement at very particular hours within the morning and afternoon from Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays and holidays, mornings solely.
Sorry, not on Sunday afternoon!19. Then there’s the case of the Eiffel Tower at night time
It’s true, however it’s not often enforced: these 20,000 glittering night time lights are thought of artwork, and as such, are protected by copyright. Legally, you want permission to publish photographs of the Eiffel Tower at night time.
In follow, the Eiffel police could be saved awfully busy if enforced.
However if you wish to take photos to indicate your loved ones again dwelling, then snap away!
And a large number of bizarre legal guidelines in each sphere of life
I have never discovered references for these, however I am assured they exist. They actually sound as if they may!
- A ban on ketchup at school cafeterias in step with wholesome consuming
- You can not {photograph} police autos (however you’ll be able to {photograph} police at work, for editorial causes) or disseminate the photographs on social media (I’ve discovered conflicting references for this explicit one so take it with a grain of salt)
- Non secular legal guidelines, which cowl every thing from Christian veils to burkini bans (all these are always within the information)
Uncommon French legal guidelines for particular or native circumstances
Typically, a mayor or native or regional authority would possibly cross a legislation which applies to its personal neighborhood however would make little sense past. Listed here are just a few of these…
- A number of cities scattered throughout France have made it unlawful to die on the town. There merely isn’t sufficient room within the native cemetery.
- UFOs are banned in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, recognized extra for its wine than its aliens. This stems from a 1954 sighting which prompted the then mayor to forbid alien craft from touchdown inside the city limits or face instant confiscation. Clearly it labored, and never a single flying saucer has landed on the town in all these years.
- Since 1999, the city of Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire in northern France close to Nantes has put aside free parking for Santa’s reindeer. This legislation continues to be in impact.
- Following native and city corridor complaints, the mayor of Briollay within the Loire Valley has forbidden mosquitoes on its territory. To date, nobody has knowledgeable the mosquitoes.
- I really like this one: the southwestern city of Essarts-en-Bocage, in an effort to advertise its “Joyous City” pageant, has handed a legislation compelling residents to be in a very good temper between 8am and 10pm each day, and to make at the least 10 folks smile the week of the pageant.
- French railway guidelines cost domesticated animals for the trip, and every requires its personal ticket. Together with snails, apparently. What is not clear is whether or not every snail requires a person ticket or if it is one ticket for your entire cluster.
- And there are loads extra… just like the seaside city that banned sandcastles!
Clearly, the bizarre legal guidelines checklist isn’t going anyplace quickly.
Repealed eventually!
Clearly, France has its fair proportion of bizarre legal guidelines. The excellent news is that a few of them are being repealed.
For instance, a 200-year-old legislation forbidding girls to put on trousers in Paris was on the books as late as 2013, though exceptions could be made in sure circumstances, for instance when driving a horse. Ladies’s rights and gender equality could be gradual.
And potatoes had been apparently unlawful in France in the course of the 18th century, as they had been believed to be toxic and to hold illness.
Fortunately for French Fries and vogue, legislators noticed the sunshine.
Efforts have been afoot to brush away out of date or ridiculous legal guidelines, a few of which have been round for hundreds of years and wish a dust-off. The fee created to undertake this work has a moderately unlucky acronym… BALAI, which implies broom in French.
And there’s a precept in France whereby ignorance is not any excuse for breaking the legislation.
So in case you occur to have run out of hay at dwelling or unwittingly stepped out of the bathe soaking moist and bare, you’ll be able to nonetheless be punished.
Simply don’t fret. The police have higher issues to do!
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