Can you fly your drone in France?

Two separate things are easily confused here. Registration as a drone operator is required as soon as your drone weighs 250 g or more, or has a camera or sensor able to capture personal data — so it covers many sub-250 g drones too, unless they qualify for the toy exemption. The A1/A3 Certificate competency certificate is something else: you need it once your drone weighs 250 g or more, or carries a C1 or higher class mark. A camera drone under 250 g therefore needs registration, but no exam. You get the certificate by passing an online theory test with DGAC, and it is then valid across the whole EASA area, not just here.

Yes — EU drone rules apply to visitors too. If you are already registered as a drone operator in another EASA country, that registration and your A1/A3 certificate (also A2) are valid in France as well. Coming from outside the EASA area, you register once — in the first EASA country where you plan to fly, here with DGAC. Paris is a complete no-fly zone for recreational drones — the ban covers the entire city and no tourist exemptions exist. Other French cities and sites have their own zones, so check the Geoportail map.

The short version: A maximum of 120 m above the ground (EASA Open Category). On top of that: Registration on AlphaTango is required (free, valid for 5 years) for any drone weighing 250 g or more, or equipped with a camera. Also: Mandatory A1/A3 online training — minimum age 14. Former BAPD certificates (sworn statements) are no longer valid as of January 1, 2026. These are central aviation rules — location-specific airspace, land, nature, privacy and photography requirements can also apply in France, so always check the official sources.

The no-go areas are the restricted zones — typically around airports, prisons, military sites and protected nature. In France you can see every zone on the interactive map on this page, and in the DroneKoll app wherever you are standing.

Drone flying in France is regulated by DGAC. The airspace itself is managed by DSNA. You will find both organisations' official pages under Sources below — those are the links worth bookmarking.