The 1901 Law,

Indeed, in 1790, with the law of 21 August 1790, the Constituent Assembly established for the first time the right of association, recognising citizens’ right to gather and form free societies among themselves.

But as early as 1791, between 14 and 17 June, the Le Chapelier Law prohibited any gathering, association or corporation of workers and artisans of the same trade or profession.

In 1810, under Napoleon, Article 291 of the Penal Code prohibited any unauthorised association of more than 20 people. Although, following the Revolution, the Constitution of 4 November 1848 reinstated freedom of association in its Article 8, many more years would pass before this right was truly secured.

In 1871, deputies Tolain, Locroy, Floquet and Brisson introduced a bill aimed at abolishing all restrictions on freedom of association. This proposal was followed by 33 bills, counter‑proposals and parliamentary reports, none of which succeeded.

In 1882, Waldeck‑Rousseau, Minister of the Interior in the Gambetta government, presented a bill on freedom of association. But the Waldeck‑Rousseau Law on the association contract would not be adopted until 1 July 1901 and published in the Official Journal on 2 July 1901.

To mark this 125th anniversary, Ms Marina Ferrari, Minister for Sports, Youth and Community Life, published the following press release.

Roland DAVAL

125 years after the 1901 Law, the freedom of association continues to sustain civic engagement

On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the 1901 Law on the association contract, the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Community Life reaffirms its support for associations and for all those who bring them to life every day.

With 1.6 million active associations and 15 million volunteers in France, the associative sector is a pillar of social cohesion, democratic vitality and territorial engagement. For 125 years, the 1901 Law has guaranteed everyone the freedom to commit to a collective project.

125 years of a fundamental freedom

Adopted on 1 July 1901, the law enshrines the freedom for each person to associate freely around a shared project. It was championed by Pierre Waldeck‑Rousseau (1846–1904), a French statesman who contributed to the legal recognition of unions and associations. In the continuity of major republican laws on civil liberties, it lays the foundations of associative life: freedom to join or leave an association, equality among members, democratic governance and free definition of the association’s purpose.

Although its principles have remained unchanged for 125 years, the legal, fiscal and administrative framework has evolved over time to accompany transformations in the associative world.

The State alongside associations

To support the 1.6 million associations active in all sectors (solidarity, education, civic engagement, sport, culture, environmental protection), the State acts to enable them to devote themselves fully to their missions.

JeVeuxAider.gouv.fr, the public volunteering platform, connects citizens wishing to volunteer with organisations offering missions throughout the country. Since 2020, 840,000 volunteers and 17,700 associations have registered on the platform. More than 200,000 missions are offered each year. 85% of surveyed volunteers report that their experience made them want to participate in other missions and in other fields of action.

The public information portal for associations

The first public information portal dedicated to associations, associations.gouv.fr, recently renovated, centralises reliable information and practical services. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 1.2 million visits have already been recorded.

This simplification also continues with Compte Asso. More than 750,000 accounts are now open, enabling associations to carry out their main administrative procedures from a single space: grant applications, financial reports or management of the Citizen Engagement Account. A new version, deployed in 2026, further facilitates access to procedures and services.

Beyond digital tools, the State also strengthens its local support through the Guid’Asso network. With more than 2,100 support points across the country, it offers free information, guidance and assistance to associations, particularly the smallest ones.

Responding to the needs of associative actors

Its deployment will continue in 2026, notably in overseas territories, with new labels designed to better meet the needs of associative actors. Faced with today’s challenges, particularly the renewal of volunteers and funding, the State continues its commitment.

Endowed with €64 million in 2026, the Fonds pour le développement de la vie associative (FDVA), the main financial instrument of the Ministry’s associative policy, supports more than 25,000 projects each year. It supports the functioning of associations, their initiatives and the training of volunteers, with particular attention to small local associations.

125 years after its adoption, the 1901 Law continues to sustain the freedom of association and support the engagement of millions of citizens in service of social and territorial cohesion.

Marina FERRARI, Minister for Sports, Youth and Community Life: “I set myself a goal for the coming year: to make associative life a central force of our democracy. I will carry this voice, and I am convinced that we will be stronger if we carry it collectively with all actors of associative life.”