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Fishing licence in France: what anglers need

You need no licence for sea fishing, but from age 16 you may have to register for free in the RecFishing app, depending on the coast. For freshwater you need a carte de pêche; the 2026 Interfédérale annual card costs 114 €.

Checked on 13.10.2026 against official sources. Not legal advice.

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Freshwater
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Do you need a licence for sea fishing in France?

The sea ministry names no licence for recreational sea fishing. Since 12 Feb 2026 RecFishing applies: from age 16 you register for free in the EU app, valid for 12 months. On the Atlantic and Channel coasts this only applies if you target sensitive species such as sea bass. In the Mediterranean it applies to everyone except anglers fishing on foot from the shore. You report catches of sensitive species on the same day. There is no registration duty in the overseas departments.

Source: Ministère de la Mer, Seite Pêche de loisir en mer, aktualisiert 30.09.2026

Do you need a licence for freshwater fishing in France?

Outside closed waters (eaux closes) you must be a member of an approved angling association (AAPPMA or Adapaef). This proof is called the carte de pêche. Closed waters are ponds that fish cannot enter naturally; there the owner decides.

Source: Ministère de la Transition écologique, Seite Pêche en eau douce, aktualisiert 26.06.2026

How much is a fishing licence in France?

Sea: RecFishing is free. Freshwater: the 2026 Interfédérale annual card costs 114 € and is valid in 91 departments. Each department sets its other prices. Example Morbihan: Personne majeure 87 €, Découverte Femme 42 €, Personne mineure 27 €, Découverte under 12 years 8 €, weekly card 36.50 €, daily card 14 €.

Source: FNPF, Pressemitteilung Cartes de pêche 2026, 17.12.2025 (114 €)

Where do you buy a fishing licence for France?

You buy the carte de pêche online at cartedepeche.fr, the official membership site of the approved angling associations, or at local outlets. For the sea you register in the RecFishing app.

Source: FNPF Pressemitteilung 17.12.2025

What about children, teens and seniors?

Sea: RecFishing applies from age 16. Freshwater: children under 12 get the Carte Découverte, ages 12 to 18 the Carte Personne mineure; your age on 1 January counts (example Morbihan).

Source: mer.gouv.fr 30.09.2026

What applies to visitors from abroad?

The sources make no difference by residence. As a visitor you usually take the daily or weekly card. A daily card can be limited to one department; in Morbihan it is only valid there. At sea RecFishing applies to all recreational anglers from age 16.

Source: Fédération de pêche du Morbihan

Which catch and take-home rules apply?

Sea: respect minimum sizes (order of 26 Oct 2012), mark every fish you keep by cutting off the lower part of the tail fin, and do not sell anything. Sea bass 2026: Channel and North Sea, catch and release only in February and March, otherwise at most 3 per angler per day. Atlantic (ICES area 8): at most 2 per angler per day. Fixed nets may not be used for sea bass.

Source: mer.gouv.fr 30.09.2026

What else should you know?

In the Mediterranean marine parks you use the Catchmachine app instead of RecFishing. In 2026 the authorities focus on explaining the reporting duty, but fines are still possible. Some associations sell the Personne majeure annual card at half price from 1 September.

Source: mer.gouv.fr 30.09.2026

Not confirmed yet

Daily and weekly prices differ by department; only the Morbihan example is verified. Minimum sizes of individual species are not listed. The ministry page has no specific statement on RecFishing for foreign visitors.

Do you know more or have an official source? Let us know.

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Sources (5)

Not legal advice. Rules and prices change; the linked authority and the local water permit are what count. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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