Published on
31/08/2026 - 20:55 GMT+2
This week, 3,000 young people are starting France's new national service programme, a voluntary military scheme that replaces the country's now-scrapped Universal National Service.
The volunteers have signed up for a 10-month stint, where they will learn discipline, drill, military songs and weapons handling. They will begin their service with five weeks of basic military training before joining a unit in the army, air force or navy.
As well as receiving accommodation, food and clothing, participants will be paid €800 per month.
