Celebrating 25 years since its introduction, France’s Pacte civil de solidarité (PACS) has become a significant alternative to marriage for over three million couples. The number of PACS contracts is now comparable to the annual marriage rate, with 210,000 established in 2022. Despite the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2013, PACS remains popular, particularly among heterosexual couples. While it offers legal protections and benefits, such as joint leases and tax advantages, it lacks certain rights afforded by marriage, including inheritance and spousal name changes. Dissolving a PACS is also simpler than divorce.