Using the subjunctive in the imperative

Question

When would the subjunctive be used in the imperative form?
Vive La France! is the expression that comes to mind.

Accepted Answer

Hi James,
In the expression 'Vive la France' or 'Que vive la France!', vive is the subjunctive of the verb vivre. 
The imperative would be - vis, vivons, vivez , as in 
Vis ta vie !  = Live your life!
Vivons au jour le jour! = Let's live one day at a time!
Vivez pour le moment! = Live for the moment!
Hope this helps!

Answer

The sentence "Vive la France" is, strictly speaking, not an imperative, as Cécile noted. It is a wish and hence requires the subjunctive and not the imperative.

Answer

Thank You. I read it as being imperative, telling France to live-in times of conflict or difficulty.

Answer

Understandably so. But actually it means, "may France live" or "let France live".