Organization of demonstrations, processions or rallies on public roads

Verified 03 September 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You are responsible for an association and you want to organize a temporary event on the public road (other than a sports competition). Are you wondering if you have any steps to take? We present you with the information you need to know. In all cases, you must declare before the planned demonstration to the mayor or prefect.

General case

The declaration must be made at least 3 free days and a maximum of 15 clear days before the event.

The prior declaration shall specify the following information:

  • Contact details of the association initiating the event (name, address, telephone, name and address of the legal representative)
  • Name, surname, address (and contact details: phone number, email address) of the organizers of the event
  • Purpose of the event
  • Event venue(s)
  • Start and end date and times
  • Itinerary if the demonstration involves the displacement of people (parade, procession)
  • Estimated number of participants expected
  • Description of the security arrangements put in place
  • Particularities of the event (deployment of banners, installation of a sound system, etc.).

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

A template for reporting is available:

Association: model for prior declaration of an event on the public road

The municipality or prefecture receiving the declaration immediately issues a receipt.

The prior declaration shall be sent to the following administrations:

  • Town hall of the municipality or town halls of the various municipalities on whose territory the event 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 of head-localities of department and other communes fixed by decree or ministerial order. It is recommended to inquire at the local authority).
Who shall I contact

Please note

Excursions on public roads in accordance with local customs are exempt from prior notification (traditional festivals, village festivals, Saint-Jean fires).

The public authority (mayor or prefect) checks that you respect the following points:

  • You have taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of persons and property (relationship with the fire brigade, possible establishment of an emergency station,...).
  • You have made sure that the planned installations (tents, enclosures, bleachers, scenes, rides,...) meet the legal and regulatory obligations of safety.
  • You have taken out the necessary insurance in the event of liability.
  • You have planned, if necessary, the appropriate measures to restore the public road after the event.

The administration may request changes (timetables, routes, etc.). It can also provide technical support (equipment loan, provision of technical staff, room loan, etc.). The police or gendarmerie forces can help make security arrangements a reality.

Warning  

The assistance of the administration (public authorities) may be charged to you.

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

The mayor transmits, within 24 hours, the declaration to the prefect of department. 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 dispersal, the carrying and transport, without legitimate reason, of objects which may constitute a weapon on the site of the demonstration, the surrounding places and their access.

The challenge of a ban is made by means of a referral-injunction (also called interim measures of protection). This allows the appeal to be considered in less than 48 hours. The challenge must be made in writing, substantiated and addressed to the judge hearing the application for interim measures.

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

  • Organization of an event on the public road without declaration
  • Organization of a demonstration that has been banned
  • Making an incomplete or inaccurate prior declaration.

In Paris

The declaration must be made in accordance with the following deadlines:

  • 1 month before the start date of the event 
  •  2 months for sports competitions organized on the public road 
  • 3 months when these competitions take place in the territory of several departments.

An application made less than 2 months before the date of the planned event shall be accepted where an unforeseen event of national or international scope (except for any seasonal activities) justifies it. The urgency must be justified.

The deadline is extended to at least 3 months if the planned event brings together a large crowd or leads to the installation of complex installations (large concerts, marathons,...).

All processions, processions, rallies and demonstrations on public roads must be declared in advance. You can do it online:

Declaration and application for authorization of events

The public authority shall verify that you comply with the following:

  • You have taken the necessary measures to ensure the safety of persons and property (relationship with the fire brigade, possible establishment of an emergency station, etc.).
  • You have made sure that any installations planned (tents, enclosures, bleachers, scenes, rides,...) meet the legal and regulatory obligations of safety.
  • You have taken out the necessary insurance in the event that your liability is involved.
  • You have planned, if necessary, the appropriate measures to restore the public road after the event.

The administration may request changes (timetables, route, etc.). It can provide technical support (equipment loan, provision of technical staff, room loan, etc.). The police or gendarmerie forces can help make security arrangements a reality.

Warning  

You may be charged for the assistance of the public authorities.

If the prefect of the police considers that the planned demonstration is likely to disturb public order, he forbids it by an order that he notify immediately to the signatories of the declaration.

It may also prohibit, during the 24 hours preceding the demonstration and until dispersal, the carrying and transport, without legitimate cause, of objects which may constitute a weapon at the site of the demonstration, the surrounding sites and their accesses.

The challenge of a ban is made by means of a referral-injunction (also called interim measures of protection). This allows the appeal to be considered in less than 48 hours. The challenge must be written, argued and addressed to the judge hearing the application for interim measures.

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

  • Organization of an event on the public road without declaration
  • Organization of a demonstration that has been banned
  • Making an incomplete or inaccurate prior declaration.

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