The interview themes and example questions
The entretien d'assimilation (assimilation interview) is a free-flowing exchange, with no official list of questions. Here are the main themes covered, with example questions we have written to help you practise.
Last checked: 17 juillet 2026
The interview is not an interrogation but a conversation. The officer wants to check that you have integrated well and that you are committed to the values of the Republic. The exchange usually revolves around five main themes.
The values and principles of the Republic
The officer checks that you know and are committed to the great principles on which the French Republic is founded.
Example questions (for illustration):
- What does the motto « Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité » mean to you?
- What is laïcité (secularism) in France?
- Why is equality between women and men important in France?
The institutions and how the State works
A few landmarks about how power is organised and democratic life works, without traps: the essentials, not the technical details.
Example questions (for illustration):
- Who is the head of State and how are they elected?
- What is Parliament for?
- What is the right to vote and from what age can you vote?
History, geography and culture
Broad landmarks about the history of France and its place in the world, as they appear in the livret du citoyen (citizen's handbook).
Example questions (for illustration):
- What is celebrated on 14 July?
- Can you name a major event in French history?
- Is France part of the European Union?
The citizen's rights and duties
The rights that nationality confers and the duties that come with them — the heart of the charter you will sign.
Example questions (for illustration):
- What are the main rights of a French citizen?
- What are the duties of a French citizen?
- Is voting a right, a duty, or both?
Your path and your life in France
The most personal part: your story, your ties and the reasons for your application. There is no right or wrong answer; it is a sincere exchange.
Example questions (for illustration):
- How long have you lived in France, and where?
- What do you do for work or study?
- Why do you wish to become French?
Our tips for the oral
- Answer in full sentences, calmly: your French counts as much as the content.
- Be sincere about your path: it is your story, no one knows it better than you.
- Revise the key landmarks (motto, laïcité, institutions) so you don't hesitate on the essentials.
- Practise out loud, if possible with someone asking you these questions.
Practise on the same themes
The drills and mock exams of the Naturalisation track cover exactly these themes. By revising them, you prepare both the written examen civique and the knowledge questions of the oral interview.
Frequently asked questions
Are these the real interview questions?
No. We neither collect nor publish questions taken from real interviews. The examples above are our own wording, offered as illustrations to help you practise. The interview is a free exchange: the officer adapts their questions to your file and your path.
Is there an official list of questions for the interview?
No, there is no official list of questions for the assimilation interview, which remains a personalised oral exchange. The examen civique, on the other hand, is based on official lists of knowledge questions published by the ministry.
How can I practise effectively?
Practise answering out loud, in French, on each theme. Revising the examen civique for the Naturalisation track is an excellent starting point: the themes are the same, and you will quickly see the topics to work on.
Civicap is an independent practice tool, not affiliated with the Ministère de l'Intérieur (French Interior Ministry), France Éducation international or the CCI. We publish no questions taken from real interviews. For the official procedure, see immigration.interieur.gouv.fr and service-public.fr.