5 crazy laws that could get you into trouble in France!
Think you know everything about France? đ«đ· Think again! Today, weâre diving into 5 crazy French laws that might surprise you and could even get you into trouble if youâre not careful! From funny rules to the truly bizarre, this video will uncover whatâs illegal in France while giving you a fun way to improve your French. Each law comes with a mini-dialogue to help you practice French vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation skills. Whether youâre learning French for fun, travel, or fluency, this video is packed with cultural insights, hilarious facts, and practical tips to level up your language learning.For the occasion, I'll share with you 5 dates of MAJOR IMPORTANCE for French women. And you won't believe how recent these all are! But let's make it an occasion for you to test your French skills. How much do you understand? Each texts is followed by a list of vocabulary to help you!
12/1/20242 min read
What do you mean I canât take a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night?!
If youâre planning a trip to France (or just love quirky cultural facts), you might be surprised by how many odd, outdated, or just plain confusing laws are still technically on the books.
1. đž Taking Photos of the Eiffel Tower at Night: Technically Illegal?
Yes, really.
While the Eiffel Tower itself has been in the public domain since 1993 (70 years after Gustave Eiffelâs death), the sparkling light show at night? Thatâs a different story.
The lights were added in 1985 and are considered a separate work of art â meaning theyâre protected by copyright.
So what does that mean for you?
â You can enjoy and take photos for personal use.
đ« Youâre not supposed to publish or sell photos of the Eiffel Tower at night without permission.
Is it enforced? Not really. Tourists post thousands of sparkling Eiffel Tower pics on Instagram every day. But if youâre using it commercially, you could run into legal issues.
2. đ Women Wearing Pants in Paris: Illegal Until 2013?!
This one will blow your mind.
Back in the early 19th century, the prefect of police in Paris issued an ordinance that forbade women from wearing trousers in public â unless they had official permission.
Why?
Because pants were considered menâs clothing, and women wearing them was seen as cross-dressing.
Eventually, women who wanted to ride bicycles or horses were given some leniency⊠but the ordinance itself remained in place until 2013.
Yes, you read that right. 2013.
Even though it hadnât been enforced in decades, it was still technically there. It wasnât until someone in the government finally said, âWait, maybe this is a problem?â that it got abolished.
So yes, if you wore jeans in Paris before 2013, you were breaking a 200-year-old rule (but donât worry â so was everyone else).
3. (Coming soonâŠ) More quirky French laws you wonât believe!
In the full video on my YouTube channel, I explore 3 more unusual French laws â including one about naming your pigs and another about kissing on train platforms.
Trust me, theyâre just as wild.
đ Bonus: Free PDF with Vocabulary + Dialogues
If you're learning French, Iâve created a PDF companion for this post with:
Mini-dialogues
Key vocabulary
French expressions related to each law
Final Thoughts: Knowing the Rules = Blending In Like a Local
While some of these laws are just fun conversation starters, they also remind us that legal systems are cultural too. What feels normal in one country might seem absurd in another â and vice versa.
If you love learning about France beyond just the language, this is exactly the kind of thing we explore inside French Quest, my safe, welcoming learning community.
5 Crazy Laws That Could Get You Into Trouble in France (Seriously!)
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