Politics · France · 1 day ago
France’s history of executions highlights the shift to abolition
October 10 is World Day Against the Death Penalty, and France has abolished capital punishment.
For centuries, executions in France used different methods depending on the crime, including burning, hanging and breaking people on a wheel.
During the French Revolution, Joseph Ignace Guillotin argued for a single, less cruel method of execution.
A 1791 law required that people sentenced to death have their heads cut off, and from 1792 the guillotine was the method used in France.
Military firing squads remained an exception for treason, and the last person guillotined in France was executed in 1977.
The history shows how French executions changed over time, while the death penalty’s return to public discussion has renewed attention to its abolition.
France marked World Day Against the Death Penalty on October 10 with a look at the history of executions in the country.
France has abolished the death penalty, but executions once took many forms, including burning, hanging, breaking on the wheel and boiling.
During the French Revolution, lawmakers moved to replace varied execution methods with beheading.
A 1791 law stated that the death penalty would involve deprivation of life without torture.
The guillotine was the sole execution method in France from 1792, and the last person was guillotined in 1977.
- Who
- France and its history of capital punishment are the focus.
- What
- The article reviews execution methods in France and the move to abolish the death penalty.
- When
- The story marks World Day Against the Death Penalty on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The article uses the international day to examine the history of executions in France.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
civilize executions
You will show my head to the people; it is worth the trouble.
Joseph Ignace Guillotin proposed changing the law on executions.
A law established beheading as the death penalty and barred torture of the condemned.
The guillotine became the only execution method in France, apart from the continued option of firing squads for military personnel convicted of treason.
The last person in France was guillotined.
World Day Against the Death Penalty focused attention on the history of executions in France.
- World Day Against the Death Penalty
- October 10
- Law on execution methods
- October 6, 1791
- Guillotine in use
- From 1792
- Last guillotined person in France
- 1977
- Article outlet
- franceinfo
Sources
Related news
Glucksmann wins France’s centre-left presidential primary
Mélenchon backs French high school protests and proposes voting at 16
Mathilde Panot rejects the Pink October cancer awareness campaign
Lescure says he hopes to avoid using orders to pass France’s 2027 budget
France promises 3,000 extra teachers amid student protests
France considers dissolving Alain Soral’s far-right association
French left invokes patriotism ahead of 2027 presidential election
UN voices concern over violence at French student protests
France’s 2027 presidential race remains uncertain
Mélenchon calls for abolishing Parcoursup and voting rights at 16
French student union leader says school protests should continue during holidays
