Le Conseil d’Etat rejects challenge to ban on use of 'mademoiselle'

IT'S official, official forms will no longer use the phrase 'mademoiselle' after the Conseil d’État threw out a challenge to the legislation.

As the highest legal administration in France, the Conseil d’État's judgement means that only madame and monsieur will now be used, approving the legislation that came in early last year.

Having to make a choice between madam or mademoiselle was seen as sexist by many, especially as men are always referred to as monsieur, whether they are married or not.

Outside of official forms there is no question of the banning of the use of the phrase mademoiselle in everyday life.