In 1996, French government reformed the social security system. This reform is distinguished from previous ones as it includes not only immediate measures for deficit reduction but also structral reconstruction. This paper first overviews French economic indicators which necessitated the reform : unemployment, interest rate, wage structure, social benefit and deficit of social security account. Then it presents the details of the reform : medical service, pensions, etc. Even if French government pretends that the reform will not only improve social security account but stimulate creation of employment, more emphasis seems to be laid on deficit reduction than on unemployment decrease. Such a policy orientation comes from the French social consensus which would not abandon the minima sociaux already established. It still remains, therefore, as a big challenge for the new government to take necessary measures, without damaging the solidnrite`, for overcoming unemployment.