French abortion activists celebrate 40 years of legalisation Signatories of France's 1971 "manifesto of 343" -- women who admitted to terminating a pregnancy -- celebrate the anniversary of the legalisation of abortion. The law was presented to the National Assembly exactly 40 years ago, on 26 November 1974, giving women the right to demand an abortion up to 12-weeks after conception. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES.