La Documentation française Celebrates 80 Years of Public Service and Democratic Information

Marking its 80th anniversary, La Documentation française highlights eight decades of commitment to delivering reliable public information, fostering civic education, and supporting democratic debate. Born during the Second World War and now integrated into the DILA, the institution remains a cornerstone of France’s public editorial landscape.

A Legacy Rooted in the Liberation of France

Created in the aftermath of World War II by Marcel Koch and Jean-Louis Crémieux-Brilhac, La Documentation française was founded with a clear mission: to provide accurate, rigorous information to help rebuild France’s democracy and inform society.
Eighty years later, that mission remains unchanged. Now part of the Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (DILA), the institution continues to serve students, teachers, journalists, researchers, public officials and citizens seeking trustworthy information.

With 1,403 titles in its catalogue, tens of thousands of annual sales and an expanding digital presence through Vie-publique.fr, La Documentation française remains a public service essential to democratic life.

A Public Publisher Recognised for Accuracy, Neutrality and Pedagogy

The institution’s editorial line is guided by strict principles:

• accuracy and verified sources,

• clarity and pedagogical writing,

• impartiality and rejection of polemics,

• rigorous reasoning and factual balance.

In an era of misinformation, La Documentation française positions itself as a beacon of reliability, offering publications that simplify complexity without compromising depth.

It has also modernised its visual identity and digital presence: redesigned collections, enriched formats, e-book editions, distribution on platforms like Cairn and Cafeyn, and active engagement on social networks such as Instagram to reach younger audiences.

A Diverse Editorial Offering: Reviews, Collections, Guides

Flagship Reviews

• Cahiers français: since 1947, a reference for understanding social, political and economic issues.

• Questions internationales: since 2003, a key resource for analysing global affairs, supported by a scientific council of leading experts.

Key Collections

• Découverte de la vie publique: concise “question-and-answer” guides to understanding French and EU institutions.

• Doc’en Poche: compact books exploring major contemporary topics (climate, oceans, AI, water…).

• Concours administratifs: fully redesigned in 2025, these guides support candidates preparing for civil service examinations.

Practical Guides and Digital Resources

Via Vie-publique.fr, the institution offers official reports, speeches, laws, thematic files and educational content, including the updated Jeune et Citoyen 2026 guide for young people aged 15–25.

A Strong Network of Public Partners

Nearly one hundred public institutions — including the Council of State, Court of Cassation, Court of Auditors, Ministry of Culture and INSP — publish their reports and works under the La Documentation française imprint.

The publisher’s mission is to support the diffusion of public knowledge, enhance civic understanding and encourage critical thinking, particularly through partnerships with Lumni, the CLEMI, schools and universities.

Eight Decades of Service to Democracy

As it celebrates 80 years, La Documentation française continues to embody the values that guided its creation: to inform, explain and illuminate public debate.
With an ever-evolving catalogue, a strengthened digital strategy and an unwavering commitment to public service, it stands as a vital institution for understanding the world and exercising citizenship.

©2025 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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Gabriel MIHAI

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