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Organisation of demonstrations, parades or gatherings on the public road

Verified 30 July 2021 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

Conditions for participation in a festive event: sanitary

Published on 2 December 2021

Conditions for participation in a festive event are currently subject to the presentation of a sanitary .

You can also obtain further information on the health protocol for open or closed markets (including Christmas markets) on the website of the department of economics .

When an association wishes to organise a temporary event on the public road (other than a sports competition), it must first declare the planned event to the mayor or prefect.

General case

Any procession, march, rally, demonstration on the public road must be the subject of a prior declaration. This is addressed to the following administrations:

  • The town hall or town halls of the various communes on whose territory the demonstration is to take place
  • Prefecture of department (prefecture of police in the Bouches-du-Rhône) when the event is to take place in the territory of communes where the national police is competent (communes heads-places of department and other communes fixed by decree or ministerial decree - enquire from his commune).
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact

Please note

trips on public roads in accordance with local customs are exempt from prior declaration (traditional festivals, village festivals).

Timeframes

The declaration must be made at least 3 free days and not more than 15 days before the date of the event.

Contents of the declaration folder

The prior declaration shall specify the following information:

  • Contact details of the association at the initiative of the event (name, address, telephone, name and address of the legal representative)
  • Name, first name, address (and means of contact: telephone number, email address) of the event organisers
  • Purpose of the event
  • Venue(s) of the event
  • Start and End Date and Hours
  • Itinerary if the event involves the displacement of people (parade, procession)
  • Estimated number of participants expected
  • Description of the security arrangements
  • Special features of the event (deployment of banners, installation of a sound system, etc.)

The declaration must be signed by at least one of the event organisers.

The municipality or prefecture that receives the declaration immediately issues a receipt.

The public authority shall verify that the following are complied with:

  • The necessary measures to ensure the safety of persons and property are provided by the association (relationship with the fire brigade, possible establishment of a rescue station, etc.).
  • The facilities provided (tents, enclosures, stands, scenes, rides, etc.) meet the legal and regulatory requirements for safety.
  • The association has taken out the necessary assurances in case of its liability.
  • The association has planned, if necessary, the measures necessary to restore the public road after the event.

The administration can request changes (schedules, routes, etc.). It can also provide technical support (loan of equipment, provision of technical staff, loan of rooms, etc.). Police or gendarmerie forces can contribute to the implementation of security measures.

Warning  

administrative assistance (public authorities) can be billed to the association.

If the mayor or prefect considers that the planned demonstration is likely to disturb public order, it shall prohibit it by means of an order notify immediately to the signatories of the declaration.

The mayor sends the declaration to the prefect of the department within 24 hours. He may attach a copy of his prohibition order.

The prefect of the department may also prohibit, during the 24 hours preceding the demonstration and until dispersed, the carrying and transportation, without legitimate reason, of objects which may constitute a weapon on the site of the demonstration, the surrounding places and their access.

A challenge to a ban is made through a temporary injunction (also called interim) allowing the appeal to be examined within 48 hours. The challenge must be made in writing, argued and addressed to the judge of the referees.

The following offences are punishable by up to 6 months' imprisonment and €7,500 fine:

  • Organisation of a public event without declaration
  • Organisation of a protest that has been banned
  • Preparation of incomplete or inaccurate prior declaration

In Paris

Any procession, march, rally on the public road must be declared in advance to the police prefecture by means of a specific folder .

The declaration must be made at least 2 months before the date of the event.

An application made less than 2 months before the date of the proposed event shall be accepted when justified by an unforeseen event of national or international scope (excluding any seasonal animation). The urgency must be justified.

The time limit is increased to a minimum of 3 months if the planned event brings together a large crowd or involves the installation of complex facilities (large concerts, marathons, etc.).

The public authority shall verify that the following are complied with:

  • The necessary measures to ensure the safety of persons and property are provided by the association (relationship with the fire brigade, possible establishment of a rescue station, etc.).
  • Any facilities (tents, enclosures, stands, scenes, merry-go-rounds, etc.) meet the legal and regulatory requirements for safety.
  • The association has taken out the necessary assurances in case of its liability.
  • The association has planned, if necessary, the measures necessary to restore the public road after the event.

The administration may request changes (schedules, route, etc.). It can provide technical support (loan of equipment, provision of technical staff, loan of rooms, etc.). Police or gendarmerie forces can contribute to the implementation of security measures.

Warning  

administrative (public) assistance can be billed to the association.

If the prefect of the police considers that the planned demonstration is likely to disturb the public order, he forbids it by an order notify immediately to the signatories of the declaration. It may also prohibit, during the 24 hours preceding the demonstration and until dispersed, the carrying and transport, without legitimate reason, of objects which may constitute a weapon at the demonstration site, the surrounding areas and their access.

A challenge to a ban is made through a temporary injunction (also called interim) allowing the appeal to be examined within 48 hours. The challenge must be written, argued and addressed to the judge of the referees.

The following offences are punishable by up to 6 months' imprisonment and €7,500 fine:

  • Organisation of a public event without declaration
  • Organisation of a protest that has been banned
  • Preparation of incomplete or inaccurate prior declaration