On March 21, 1905, the hemicycle of the Palais-Bourbon resounded with the first session of a crucial and animated parliamentary debate, which was to last nearly ten months and occupy 48 sessions in the Chamber of Deputies. They have to study the bill of separation of the Churches and the State. This law, which founded laicity in France, was adopted on December 9, 1905.
Acting
Pierre Arditi's Briand—charm and exhaustion in equal measure.
Production
That Palais-Bourbon set recreates 1905 parliamentary chaos perfectly.
Director
François Hanss
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real 1905 law is still France's bedrock of secularism—Macron couldn't touch it if he tried.
This aired during France's 2005 headscarf debates—subtle, but the timing was absolutely intentional.
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