The Senate enjoys less prominence than the National Assembly, which is elected on direct universal ballot and upon the majority of which the Government relies: in case of disagreement, the Assembly can in many cases have the last word, although the Senate keeps a role in some key procedures, such as constitutional amendments.

[2] Bicameralism was first introduced in France amid the French Revolution in 1795; as in many countries, it assigned the upper chamber with the role of moderating the lower, although for a long time as an ally of the executive.

The present selection mode of the Senate dates back to the start of the Third Republic, when it was turned into what Léon Gambetta famously called a "grand council of the communes of France".

As a result of its election relying on what is often summed up as rural mayors, it has had a right-wing majority since 1958, with only a three-year exception in 2011–2014.

In front of the building lies the Senate's garden, the Jardin du Luxembourg, open to the public.

When the Senate and the National Assembly cannot agree on a bill, the administration can decide, after a procedure called commission mixte paritaire, to give the final decision to the National Assembly, whose majority is normally on the government's side, but as regarding the constitutional laws the administration must have the Senate's agreement.

This does not happen frequently; usually the two houses eventually agree on the bill, or the administration decides to withdraw it.

As per article 24 of the Constitution, the Senate is the representative of the territories and defends the local elected officials.

In that month, the term was reduced to six years, while – to reflect a growth in the country's population – the number of senators was set to increase progressively, to reach 348 by 2011.

This proved a short-lived win, as the right, led by the Union for a Popular Movement, regained the Senate three years later.

[10] As an indirectly elected house, the Senate is often criticised by political parties such as La France Insoumise on the left and the National Rally on the right as not being sufficiently popularly representative.

The common phrase "a senator's pace" (un train de sénateur) mocks the upper house's perceived slow rhythm and readiness to let new legislation die.