The article focuses on the Conseil d'État, an organ of the French government that provides the executive branch with legal advice and acts as the administrative court of last resort, and its role in the French political history. According to the article, the Conseil d'État is usually described as a neutral institution but the author reflects on its role during World War II and the Algerian War and, based on recent historiography, states that it is not always the case. The variety of missions of the Conseil d'État on a daily basis, as well as its function in the development of administrative law are analyzed in this article.