"Enthusiasm for alcohol unwavering!"
In the heart of Paris, at the Forum des Halles, a group of adolescents, including Manon, a 17-year-old Parisian, were recently seen discussing plans for an evening party. This gathering, like many others, involves the consumption of alcohol, a practice that is strictly prohibited by law for individuals under the age of 18 in France.
Despite the clear legal restriction, investigations conducted by Addictions France in 2025 have found that a significant majority of supermarkets—up to nine out of ten—are still violating this law by selling alcohol to minors. The investigation, made public on Thursday, July 3rd, revealed that 86% of stores sell alcohol to minors, with only 8% of sellers asking for ID to verify the age of their clients.
The sale of alcohol to minors in France is illegal, with a legal minimum age of 18 for both purchasing and consuming alcohol. The penalties for such violations typically involve fines and sanctions against the establishment as well as the individual responsible for the sale. While the exact fines and penalties can vary, French law imposes serious consequences to deter such illegal sales and protect youth from alcohol consumption.
Manon, who started drinking alcohol at the age of 14, and her friends buy alcohol, including beer, wine, and hard liquor, from convenience stores approximately once a month. This practice, while illegal, is not uncommon among French adolescents. Nearly four out of five adolescents have already consumed alcohol before the legal age, and one in three 17-year-olds has experienced binge drinking, which involves consuming a large amount of alcohol quickly.
The authorities and associations in France continue to call for more rigorous enforcement and sanctions to reduce the widespread illegal sale of alcohol to minors, which remains problematic despite existing laws. The challenge persists across retail outlets, with the availability of alcohol at parties often "up to the customer's head," as one adolescent commented during their discussion on the grass.
In conclusion, selling alcohol to minors in France is illegal, with a legal minimum age of 18, and violators face legal penalties primarily in the form of fines and sanctions, though enforcement challenges persist across retail outlets. The public is encouraged to report any instances of illegal alcohol sales to the authorities to help protect the youth of France from the harmful effects of underage drinking.
The illegal sale of alcohol to minors in France, occurring frequently despite the existing law, contributes to rising instances of underage drinking among adolescents like Manon. Mental-health concerns and health-and-wellness risks associated with this practice, such as binge drinking, necessitate stricter enforcement of laws to safeguard youths from potential harm and promote science-backed healthy behavior.
