Attending a public debate

Attending a public debate

Parliamentary debates have been public since the French Revolution. The principle is enshrined in Article 33 of the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, and is implemented by the possibility for the public to attend the sittings of the Assembly.

Article 33 of the French Constitution

“The sittings of the two Houses shall be public. A verbatim report of the debates shall be published in the Journal Officiel.[…]”

How to attend a public debate of the National Assembly ?

Visitors wishing to attend a debate should get an invitation card (or "billet de séance") from a Member of Parliament. The number of seats is limited.

In addition, you can register online to attend a debate by clicking on this link : https://www.billetweb.fr/assister-a-une-seance

For security reasons, registration must be completed at least 3 days before the scheduled day of the debate. Attendance is free of charge.

Public entrance : 126 rue de l’Université, 75007 Paris.

On the day of the debate, visitors are requested to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the debate, with a valid form of ID. Suitcases, bags, computers, tablets and cameras are not permitted. Visitors will have to put their phone in a locker before entering the Chamber.

What obligations must the audience respect ?

According to the regulations of the National Assembly, the audience must wear proper attire (shorts, tank tops and flip-flops are not permitted) and stay seated with hats off.

The audience must stay silent and give no sign of approval or disapproval.