Prostitution in France

Prostitution in France (the exchange of sexual acts for money) was legal until April 2016, but several surrounding activities were illegal, like operating a brothel, living off the avails (pimping), and paying for sex with someone under the age of 18 (the age of consent for sex in France is 15).^[1]

On 6 April 2016, the French National Assembly voted to punish customers of prostitutes by a fine of €1,500.^[2]

In the Napoleonic era, France became the model for the regulatory approach to prostitution. In the 20th century, however, a policy shift became apparent. Brothels became illegal in 1946, and France signed the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others in 1960, thus becoming a major supporter of the international abolitionist movement for the eradication of prostitution (see Abolitionism in France).

^ "Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema on trial over prostitute". 20 January 2014.
^ Prostitution : le Parlement adopte définitivement la pénalisation des clients 'Le Monde', accessed 7 April 2016

[1] "Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema on trial over prostitute". 20 January 2014.

[law16-2] Prostitution : le Parlement adopte définitivement la pénalisation des clients 'Le Monde', accessed 7 April 2016

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