France
CGCT
Formally: Code général des collectivités territoriales
CGCT Art. L.2121-11 à L.2121-26 (Loi n° 92-125 du 6 févr. 1992, JO 8 févr. 1992)
Sunshine Score
| Advance Notice | 3 days, online posting required |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Not required |
| Closed Sessions | 2 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required, online posting required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Not allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Required
Notice varies by commune population. For communes with fewer than 3,500 inhabitants: at least 3 days before the meeting (Art. L.2121-11). For communes with 3,500 or more inhabitants: at least 5 days before the meeting (Art. L.2121-12). Notice must include the agenda (ordre du jour). The mayor (maire) is responsible for convening the council (conseil municipal). For urgent sessions (Art. L.2121-11 para. 2), shorter notice is permitted with préfet notification. Agenda must be affichée (posted) at the town hall. agenda_notice_regular_days=3 reflects the statutory minimum; larger communes require 5 days.
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed
Public Participation
No general statutory right for members of the public to speak at conseil municipal meetings under CGCT. The public may attend as observers (séance publique). Some communes provide for questions orales des habitants by local règlement intérieur. The droit de pétition (petition right) for conseil de citoyens (citizen advisory bodies) is separate.
Virtual Meetings
No permanent statutory right for remote member participation. COVID-era provisions (Ordonnance n° 2020-391 du 1er avril 2020; subsequent extensions) permitting videoconference deliberations expired on 1 August 2022 (Loi n° 2021-1040 du 5 août 2021). Verify whether any subsequent legislation has created a permanent remote participation right; none was enacted as of 2023.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Required
Content requirements: Procès-verbal (minutes) must be published online within 8 days of the meeting for communes with 3,500+ inhabitants (Art. L.2121-26). Must record deliberations and decisions. Signed by the mayor and the secretaire de séance. Approved at the next meeting. Public may obtain copies.
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Accessibility & Language Access
Language access: French is the sole official language (Loi Toubon, Loi n° 94-665 du 4 août 1994). Regional languages (Alsatian, Breton, Occitan, etc.) have no statutory meeting rights in the CGCT.