FV 082 : Being a mayor in France

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On my last trip to France, I was welcomed by the mayor of my hometown for an interview at the town hall – in the meeting room, which is also the official room where marriages are celebrated. Find out how a French mayor is elected, what his roles are, facts about getting married in France and much more!

Episode Timeline

Part 1

A mayor and another occupation

What made E.Dhuicq run for mayor?

The ballot and office staff list

Part 2

How and for how long a French mayor is elected

The prerequisites to run for mayor

The roles of a mayor

Part 3

Funding / Money

Projects and initiatives

What do French citizens go to the town hall for?

Part 4

Getting married in France

Something unique in Montmirail

Vocab List

adjoint, e (n) = deputy, second-in-command, assistant

agriculteur, -trice = farmer

brie (nm) = brie cheese

colza (nm) = rape, canola

commune (nf) = town, municipality, village

conseil général (nm) = departmental council

conseiller général (nm) = regional concillor

cultiver = to cultivate, to grow, to farm

écharpe (nf) = scarf

état civil (nm) = register of births, marriages and deaths

gendarmerie (nf) = police force

hôtel de ville (nm) = town hall, city hall

impôt (nm) = tax, levy

impôt foncier (nm) = property tax

mairie (nf) = town hall, city hall

mandat (nm) = mandate

nommer = to appoint, to nominate

orge (n) = barley

parcelle (nf) = plot, parcel

passer devant le maire = to get married

préfecture (nf) = prefecture, administrative center

régalien,ne = sovereign (power)

remparts (nm.pl) = city walls, rempart, fortification

salubrité = hygiene, salubrity

scrutin (nm) = poll, ballot, vote

se fâcher avec = to get angry with

taxe d'habitation (nf) = council tax

Questions:

(Part 1) Does E.Dhuicq make a living from being the mayor of Montmirail?

(Part 1) Which crops does E.Dhuicq grow?

(Part 2) Why was there a new election in Montmirail in 1992?

(Part 3) Where do you register a birth in France?

(Part 4) What are the 3 mandatory elements for a marriage to be valid in France?

Answers:

Mayor is only a function and he is a farmer.

He grows wheat, barley, canola, cereals, beetroot

The mayor had been killed in a car accident.

At the town hall of the place of birth.

It is in a dedicated room (it’s not possible to change room), in front of the bust of Marianne and the mayor (or one deputy) must be wearing the tricolour scarf

Links & Resources

FV 068: (Part 1) Discover the history of my hometown with greeter Marie-Christine Poisson: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast68

FV 069: (Part 2) Discover the history of my hometown with greeter Marie-Christine: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast69

My article: "French presidential election: 12 facts about the election process in France": http://frenchyourway.com.au/french-presidential-election-process

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