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French Government Documents

French Government Documents

Since 1789, the French Government has published several different official records of its activities. From 1789-1810, Gazette nationale; ou, le moniteur universel was the official daily record of the French Government. This publication was continued by Le Moniteur universel in 1811. Le Moniteur universel was the official daily record of the French Government from 1811-1868. This publication was continued by Journal officiel in 1869. These publications include debates in the legislature, laws and decrees, government reports, communications between the legislature and the ministers, executive materials, etc. These publications are the first stop for any research regarding French government materials.

The most important publication of the French Government today is Journal officiel. Journal officiel began publication in 1869 as the official daily record of the French Government. Journal officiel was published as one volume through 1880. Beginning in 1880, it was broken into separate volumes: Lois et dicrets (laws and decrees), Dibat de l'Assemblie Nationale et de l'Union frangaise (reports of parliamentary debates and written questions and answers of the ministers), Conseil economique (the economic council  its opinions, reports, and bulletins of its meetings), Documents de l'Assemblie Nationale (documents or draft laws and bills, reports and opinions of parliamentary commissions), and Documents Administratifs (miscellaneous reports issued at regular intervals). The various parts of the Journal officiel have changed over the years. The current iteration has six separate editions : Dibats de l'Assemblie Nationale, Dibats du Sinat, Impressions, Lois et Dicrets, Documents administratifs, and Avis et rapports du Conseil Economique et Social.

Avis et rapports du Conseil Economique et Social. This part of the Journal officiel includes reports and opinions of the Economic and Social Council.

Dibats de l'Assemblie Nationale and Dibats du Sinat. The day-to-day prooceedings of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Documents administratifs. This part of the Journal officiel includes annual reports of ministeries, reports of commissions and committees, quarterly vital statistics, reports of investigations, guides to nomenclature, and technical studies.

Impressions. This part of the Journal officiel includes bills, and resolutions, reports and opinions of parliamentary committees, and messages from the President of the Republic.

Journal officiel. The primary source of information on the activities of the legislative and executive arms of the French government. It currently consists of six separate parts: Dibats de l'Assemblie Nationale, Dibats du Sinat, Impressions, Lois et Dicrets, Documents administratifs, and Avis et rapports du Conseil Economique et Social.

Lois et Decrets. Laws and decrees. Lois et Decrets is one of the six principal parts of the Journal officiel. It is published daily, including Sundays, and contains the texts of all the acts passed by Parliament, and all the administrative decrees, orders, circulars, and announcements of any kind emanating from the government.

Table. Index.


General Political Information

Almanach National: Annuaire official de la Republique Francaise, 1770-1879.
The Almanach National is an important source for information about the French Government, as well as other institutions. It lists the members of the Cabinet, Senat, and Chamber; principle offices of government bureaus; and information about universities, the army, the clergy, etc.

The microfiche collection includes the years 1770 -1879, organized chronologically and located in Microfiche 4.
Print versions of the years 1827, 1828, 1832, 1851, and 1915-1919 can be found in STORAGE (use Place Requests tab to request) at call number JN 2304.

L'Annie politique. The annual review of politics, economics, diplomacy, and society.
Holdings: 1944/45  current. Available in Van Pelt Library at call # DC398 .A6. Latest issue available in reference.

Dictionnaire Giographicque et Administratif de la France.
Available in the Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks at call # DC14 .J63.

Dictionnaire des termes officiels de la langue frangaise.
Available in the Van Pelt Library Reference Stacks at call # PC2680 .D555 1994.

Journal des dibats politiques et littiraires.
This is not, strictly speaking, a government publication. Nevertheless, it covers politics, laws, and acts of government for the time period 1789-1940. It is available (for the years 1789-1830 and 1914-1940) in Microfilm cont. 563 and (for the years 1831-1913) in Microfilm News 635.

Who's Who in France
Holdings: 1953  current. Available in Van Pelt Library at call # DC705 .A1 W46.


Documents Relating to Foreign Affairs

Digitized material from the Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères

Ministire des Affaires Itranghre. Documents Diplomatiques Frangais.
Holdings: 1920, 1944, 1946, 1954-65. (available in Van Pelt Library at call # DC398 .A452).

Note: we appear to have all volumes of this set. The dates of coverage are irregular.

Ministire des Affaires Itranghre. Documents Diplomatiques Frangais.
Holdings: 1932-39. (available in Van Pelt Library at call # DC396 .A45).

Ministire des Affaires Itranghre. Documents Diplomatiques Frangais.
Holdings: 1860-1927. (available in Storage at call # 327.44 F842).

Assorted other Documents Diplomatiques Francais are listed in Franklin and can be found by doing a keyword search for documents diplomatiques.

Archives Diplomatiques.
Holdings : 1861-1914. (available in Van Pelt Library at call # JX3.A6)
Published by a non-governmental organization, this journal reproduced texts of treaties, conventions, protocols, conference proceedings, and other diplomatic documents. Each volume contains records of events that occured several years previously. For instance, the 1894 volume contains records from 1875-1894.


French Government Documents by Historical Period

1.    Fifth Republic (1958- )

Constitution

The Constitution of the Fifth Republic, translation and commentary [by] Peter Campbell [and] Brian Chapman. (available in Van Pelt Library at call # 342.44T F842.EC).

See J.A. Laponce, The Government of the Fifth Republic ; French political parties and the Constitution (1961). Call # -- JN2594.2 .L2

See Gaullist Constitution of 1958 -- http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/english/8ab.asp

Executive Materials

Major addresses, statements, and press conferences, of General Charles de Gaulle, May 19, 1958 - January 31, 1964. (Available in Van Pelt Library at Call # 944.086L G234).

Charles de Gaulle. Lettres, Notes, et Carnets; Articles en Ecrits; Discours et Messages. (available in Van Pelt Library at call #'s DC 373 G3 A4 and DC 373 G3 A53).

Journal officiel and other Government Materials

Parlementary debates and other legislative material of the 5th Republic have been digitized and made available by the National Assembly.

1993-

www.assemblee-nat.fr

 

1993-

www.senat.fr

 

1990-

www.journal-officiel.gouv.fr

 

1980-85

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. Dibats parlementaires, Assemblie nationale. Compte rendu intigral.

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. Dibats parlementaires, Assemblie nationale. Questions icrites remises ` la Prisidence de l'Assemblie nationale et riponses des ministres.

Microfilm cont. 478A

Microfilm cont. 478B

1976-79

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. Idition des lois et dicrets. Numiro complimentaire.

Microfilm cont. 192

1976-79

Impressions

Microfilm cont. 479

1958-79

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. Dibats parlementaires, Assemblie nationale.

Microfilm cont. 478

1920-75

Journal officiel

J7.F2 (in Storage)

1871-1963

Journal officiel. Tables.

The indexes to the Journal officiel and its subparts.

Microfilm cont. 202

Other Materials of Interest

Les Idies Constitionelles du Giniral de Gaulle (available in the Van Pelt Library at call # JN2594.2 D38).

2.    Fourth Republic (1946-58)

Constitution

La Constitution de la IVe Ripublique. Commentaire et texte de la Loi constitutionnelle du 27 octobre 1946 modifiie par celle du 7 dicembre 1954 . (available in the Van Pelt Library at call # 342.44 M2931).

See Jacques Godechot, Les constitutions de la France depuis 1789 (1970) (available in the Biddle Law Library at call no. KD 1111 1789-1969).

Executive materials

Archives de la prisidence de la Ripublique, IVe Ripublique : Vincent Auriol, 19 janvier 1947-16 janvier 1954, Reni Coty, 16 janvier 1954-8 janvier 1959.

(available in Van Pelt Library at call # DC408 .A734 2001).

Journal officiel and other Government Materials

1946-57

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. Dibats parlementaires, Assemblie nationale.

Microfilm cont. 478

1920-75

Journal officiel

J7.F2 (in Storage)

1871-1963

Journal officiel. Tables.

The indexes to the Journal officiel and its subparts.

Microfilm cont. 202

1871-1953

Journal officiel. Comptes rendus in extenso des ilections des Prisidents de la Ripublique.

The National Assembly is composed of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate sitting together as one body. This series covers those sessions when the National Assembly met for the purpose of electing the president of the Republic.

Microfilm cont. 104

3.    Provisional/French Government in Exile (1943-46)

Journal officiel and other Government Materials

1943-44

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. (published in Algeria) (du 10 juin 1943 au 31 ao{t 1944)

KE1111 .A2 1996

-and-

Microfilm cont. 194

1943-45

Dibats de l'Assemblie consultative provisoire.

Questions icrites et riponses des ministres ` ces questions [du 4 ao{t au 20 octobre 1945].

This is a supplement to the Journal officiel published by the provisional government.

Microfilm cont. 201

1943-44

Journal officiel. Dibats de l'Assemblie, consultative porvisoire. Compte rendu in extenso.

A summary of the debates.

Microfilm cont. 201


Other Materials of Interest

Les Evenements Survenus en France de 1933 a 1945 (available in Van Pelt Library at call # 944.08 F849.2).

4. Vichy (1940-44)

1942-44

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. Documents administratifs.

Microfilm cont. 199

1942-44

Journal officiel. Documents Administratifs.

At irregular intervals, miscellaneous reports are issued as Documents Administratifs.

Microfilm cont. 199

1940-44

Journal officiel. Lois et Decrets.

Microfilm cont. 192

1940-44

Journal officiel . Bulletin des annonces legales obligatoires (the offical supplement of the Journal officiel).

Microfilm cont. 200

Other Materials of Interest

Les Evenements Survenus en France de 1933 a 1945 (available in Van Pelt Library at call # 944.08 F849.2).

5. Third Republic (1871-1940)

Constitution

See Jacques Godechot, Les constitutions de la France depuis 1789 (1970) (available in the Biddle Law Library at call no. KD 1111 1789-1969).

Journal officiel and other Government Materials

1939-40

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. Documents administratifs.

Microfilm cont. 199

1920-75

Journal officiel

J7.F2 (in Storage)

1916-1917 Feb.-April 1940

Journal officiel. Comptes rendus in extenso des comitis secrets de la chambre des Diputis (the verbatim reports of the Chamber of Deputies when meeting in closed session (comitis secrets)

Microfilm cont. 111

1912-40

Journal officiel . Bulletin des annonces legales obligatoires (the offical supplement of the Journal officiel).

Microfilm cont. 200

1905-40

Journal officiel. Documents Administratifs.

At irregular intervals, miscellaneous reports are issued as Documents Administratifs.

Microfilm cont. 199

1881-1940

Journal officiel. Lois et Decrets.

Microfilm cont. 192

1881-1940

Journal officiel. Dibats Parlementaire. Chambre des Diputis.

The proceedings of the Chamber of Deputies of the National Assembly.

Microfilm cont. 195

-or-

Microfilm cont. 647

1881-1940

Journal officiel. Sinat. Dibats parlementaire.

Covers the debates, speeches, voting record, audience remarks, in the Senat.

Microfilm cont. 197

1881-1938

Documents parlementaires annexes aux Procis-verbaux des siances. Annexes de la Chambre des diputes. Projets de loi, propositions et rapports

Microfilm cont. 196 and 198

1881-1938

Journal officiel. Sinat documents parlementaires.

Includes draft laws and bills, reports and opinions of the Senat.

Microfilm cont. 198

1876-1880

Annales du Sénat et de la Chambre des députés.

Includes draft laws and bills, reports and opinions of the Senat and Chamber of Deputies.

Microfiche cont. 115

1871-1963

Journal officiel. Tables.

The indexes to the Journal officiel and its subparts.

Microfilm cont. 202

1871-1953

Journal officiel. Comptes rendus in extenso des ilections des Prisidents de la Ripublique.

The National Assembly is composed of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate sitting together as one body. This series covers those sessions when the National Assembly met for the purpose of electing the president of the Republic.

Microfilm cont. 104

1871-80

Journal officiel de la Ripublique frangaise. Table alphabitique de l'annie. (annual index)

Folio 328.44 B1.1 v.9 (Rare Books)

1871-76

Annales de l'Assemblie nationale. Compte-rendu in extenso des siances

Microfiche 114

1869-80

Journal officiel

Microfilm cont. 193

Other Materials of Interest

Enquete Parlementair sur les Actes du Gouvernement de la Difense Nationale (available in Van Pelt Library at call # 944.08 F848.3).

6.  The Commune (1871)

1871

Journal officiel de la Commune de Paris.

DC317 .J68 1997

1871

Journaux de la piriode de la Commune

Microfilm cont. 114

 

7.  Second Empire (1852-70)

Le Moniteur universel and other Government Materials

1861-70

Annales du Senat et du corps legislatif

328.44 A6

1811-68

Le Moniteur universel

944.04P G25

-or-

Folio 328.44 B1 (Rare Books)

1787-1860

Archives parlementaires de 1787 ` 1860; recueil complet des dibats ligislatifs et politiques des chambres frangaises

Microfiche 127

-and-

J341.H2

Other Materials of Interest

Les Origines Diplomatique de la Guerre de 1870-72 (available in Van Pelt Library at call # 944.08 F844).

8.  Second Republic (1848-52)

Constitution

See Jacques Godechot, Les constitutions de la France depuis 1789 (1970) (available in the Biddle Law Library at call no. KD 1111 1789-1969).

Le Moniteur universel and other Government Materials

1849-51

Assemblee Nationale Legislative. Compte rendu (index in final volume)

328.44 A5.4

1848-49

Assemblee Nationale Constituante. Compte rendu (index in final volume)

328.44 A5.3

1811-1868

Le Moniteur universel

944.04P G25

-or-

Folio 328.44 B1 (Rare Books)

1787-1860

Archives parlementaires de 1787 ` 1860; recueil complet des dibats ligislatifs et politiques des chambres frangaises

Microfiche 127

-and-

J341.H2

9.                 Restoration/Constitutional Monarchy (1815-48)

Constitution

See Jacques Godechot, Les constitutions de la France depuis 1789 (1970) (available in the Biddle Law Library at call no. KD 1111 1789-1969).

1839-1848

Annales du Parlement frangais (index in final volume)

328.44 A5.2

1821

Les cinq codes, nouvelle idition, entierement conforme a l'idition de l'Imprimerie royale; avec des notes qui relatent les diverses abrogations et modifications y apporties par des lois subsiquentes, telles que celles qui abolissent le divorce, le droit d'aubaine; la Loi sur l jury, du 24 mai 1821, etc.: pricidie de la Charte constitutionnelle, et suivie du tarif des frais et dipens en matieres civile et criminelle, et du tableau des distances.

349.44 C497

1811-1868

Le Moniteur universel

944.04P G25

-or-

Folio 328.44 B1 (Rare Books)

1787-1860

Archives parlementaires de 1787 ` 1860; recueil complet des dibats ligislatifs et politiques des chambres frangaises

Microfiche 127

-and-

J341.H2

10.First Empire (1804-15)

1811-1868

Le Moniteur universel

944.04P G25

-or-

Folio 328.44 B1 (Rare Books)

Until 1811

Additions aux cinq codes, Napoleon, de procedure civile, de commerce, d'instruction criminelle et penal, ou, textes des Lois, Sinatus-consultes, Dicrets Impiriaux, Avis du Conseil d'Etat, Dicisions des Ministres et Arrjts de la Cour de Cassation, rendus jusq'au 22 Novembre 1811, pour leur Exicution...

(Napoleonic imperial documents)

KJV444.21804 .A52 1812

(Rare Books)

1804

Code Napoleon; being the French Civil code, literally translated from the original and official edition published in Paris in 1804

349.44 C647

1789-1810

Gazette nationale; ou, le moniteur universel.

944.04P G25

-or-

Folio 328.44 B1 (Rare Books)

1787-1860

Archives parlementaires de 1787 ` 1860; recueil complet des dibats ligislatifs et politiques des chambres frangaises

Microfiche 127

-and-

J341.H2

11.Consulate (1799-1804)

1789-1810

Gazette nationale; ou, le moniteur universel.

944.04P G25

-or-

Folio 328.44 B1 (Rare Books)

1787-1860

Archives parlementaires de 1787 ` 1860; recueil complet des dibats ligislatifs et politiques des chambres frangaises

Microfiche 127

-and-

J341.H2

12.  The Revolution, the First Republic, the Directory (1789-1799)

Constitution

Constitution de la Republique frangaise : proposee au peuple francais, par la Convention nationale (1795). (available in the Van Pelt Library at call # Microfiche 821).

Constitution of the French Republic (1795) : Offered to the French people, by the National Convention; and ratified by the people, in primary assemblies met. / Translated from a correct French original. (available in the Van Pelt Library at call # Microfiche 821).

Constitution of the republic of France, completed on the 26th June, 1793, and submitted to the people by the National Convention. (1793) / (Translated from a French copy, direct from Paris.) (available in the Van Pelt Library at call # Microfiche 821).

La Declaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen et la Constitution de 1791, accompagnies de divers documents recueillis par M. Bouchary. (available in the Van Pelt Library at call # JN2471 .A5 1947).

1795-99

Journal des dibats et lois du Corps Ligislatif.

DC141 .A41

(Rare Books)

1789-1810

Gazette nationale; ou, le moniteur universel.

944.04P G25

-or-

Folio 328.44 B1 (Rare Books)

1787-1860

Archives parlementaires de 1787 ` 1860; recueil complet des dibats ligislatifs et politiques des chambres frangaises

Microfiche 127

-and-

J341.H2

13.18th Century French Materials

Eighteenth century French materials can be found in the card catalog by searching under the corporate author France.


Online Resources for French Government Documents

General

Site du Premier ministre  Portail du Gouvernement

 France from European Governments Online
Includes links to various branches of the national government.

 France -- Governments
Including national, regional, local amd branches of government.

 ADMINET: Le riseau de l'administration frangaise
(French Government Resources including Le Journal Officiel Electronique).

 Service-Public
A well-developed portal for French administrative government and civic information.

Constitution and Civil Codes

Nick Okrent

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Nick Okrent
Contact:
Van Pelt Library, room 204
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