The Evolution of Marriage in France Since the 20th Century

A century ago, getting married was a given, an almost obligatory step in adult life. Today, it's a choice, a celebration, just another question. In just over a hundred years, the institution of marriage in France has undergone a more profound transformation than in the previous thousand years.

From a pillar of society to a personal couple's project, from an indissoluble contract to a flexible union, how has marriage evolved to reflect the immense changes in our society?

Let's dive into this fascinating story to better understand what it means to unite today.

1. Early 20th Century: The Untouchable Institution

In the early 1900s, marriage was the foundation of society. It was an economic and social contract much more than a matter of sentiment.

• A Patriarchal Pillar: The husband is the head of the family; the wife is legally "incapacitated" and owes him obedience. She will not be able to open a bank account without his permission until 1965.
• Divorce, an Exception: Although legal, divorce is rare, expensive, and socially frowned upon. Marriage is designed to be indissoluble.

2. The 60s-70s: The Earthquake of Liberation

The winds of freedom that blew after May 1968 and the feminist movements would shake the institution to its foundations. Marriage began its great transformation: it moved from the status of social obligation to that of a quest for personal fulfillment.

• The End of the Head of the Household: The major laws on joint parental authority and the divorce reform of 1975, which introduced mutual consent, marked the end of the patriarchal model.
• The Rise of the Free Union: For the first time, living as a couple without being married becomes a socially acceptable option.

3. The 90s-2000s: The Arrival of a Competitor, the PACS

Faced with a continuously declining number of marriages, a new, more modern and flexible form of union was introduced in 1999: the Civil Solidarity Pact (PACS).

• An Alternative to Marriage: Initially designed for same-sex couples, the PACS was immediately adopted by millions of heterosexual couples who saw it as a simpler and more egalitarian form of commitment.
• A Redefinition of Family: Marriage is no longer the only legal framework for founding a family and a home.

4. 2013: Marriage for All, a Symbolic Revolution

The Taubira law opening marriage to same-sex couples is much more than a simple reform. It is a major turning point that redefines the institution.

• Love as the Only Condition: Marriage is no longer defined by gender, but solely by love and the willingness to commit. This is the culmination of the transition to a loving marriage.

5. And today?

Getting married in 2025 is nothing like getting married in 1925.

• A Highly Symbolic Choice: Since it is no longer an obligation, marriage has become an even more powerful choice. It is a public declaration of love, a grand celebration that brings together loved ones.
• A Couple's Project: Planning the wedding became an adventure in itself, the couple's first major project, where every detail, from the ceremony to the gifts, was personalized to reflect their unique story.

Conclusion: Freer, Stronger

Far from disappearing, marriage has reinvented itself. Freed from its burden of social obligation, it has become one of the most beautiful expressions of individual freedom and chosen love. And it is precisely this freedom and uniqueness that we seek to celebrate every day.

Now that you know the history of marriage, discover our complete guide to understanding the differences between marriage and PACS today .