France offers a unique perspective on social contracts through its history of revolution and subsequent commitment to three key principles: equality, popular sovereignty, and administrative capacity. Commitment to these principles needs to be constantly renewed, as France faces internal criticism regarding the tension between the values of solidarity and the rising inequalities in the country. Currently, the French social contract faces three major challenges. First, there is discontent about differences in prosperity and access to services between different areas (big and wealthy cities, middle-size cities, peri-urban areas, and rural areas), expressed through the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ protests. Second, the social contract is challenged by the populism of the far right. Third, there is a rising polarisation and distrust of the political sphere and public powers.