The chapter starts with a sketch out of the referendum history in France since the Revolution. While it seemed destined for an ambitious future, the device has raised many fears and its Bonapartist use led to its rejection under the Third and Fourth Republics. It was not until the Fifth Republic that the referendum regained in importance in a top-down presidential version. But the evolution of the regime led to a loss of utility and efficiency causing its relative decline after de Gaulle. The chapter focuses on the three referendums on Europe held since 1958 (accession of new countries, Maastricht treaty and Constitutional treaty), with particular attention to the reasons for the decision to organize them, campaign dynamics, electoral behaviour and the consequences on party divisions. The last two sections review the present provisions and legal framework of nationwide referendums and the current debate on the device in French politics.