Ten things French prefectures can help you with – beyond cartes de séjour

Every department has a prefecture headed by a prefect, who may be assisted by one or more sous-préfets in their sous-préfectures.

You can think of them as the top jaw (French administration enacted by government-appointed representatives, ie. coming from the top down) and mairies as the bottom jaw (French administration enacted by elected officials, ie. from the bottom up).

One of their main jobs is to cversee and ensure the legality of local government decisions and act as messenger between it and the state. They also organise and oversee all local elections.

Their websites carry diverse information, such as local bans on barbecues, drought restrictions, firework bans and rules to keep chickens inside during avian flu outbreaks. This is then republished by mairies in a simpler format.

They also provide information for foreign residents on residency procedures and documentation.

Another of their functions is to make sure mairies and communautés de communes act legally and correctly. This is because élus (elected representatives, such as mayors) may not necessarily have formal training in administration or law.

The prefect oversees the legality of decisions taken by local authorities and can intervene if they do not comply with national law

In the past, people had to visit the prefecture to apply for vehicle and residency permits but this is now mostly carried out online. 

Procedures and responsibilities can vary slightly between departments, and many services are increasingly handled online

Apart from picking up a residency permit here are other things you can do there or via your prefecture website:

1. Sort a permit to release balloons

In some areas, you may need to request permission to release balloons or organise outdoor events, depending on local regulations. This could be for a wedding or birthday party, for instance.

2. Welcome ceremonies for new citizens

A cérémonie d’accueil (welcome ceremony) for people acquiring French nationality is usually held at the prefecture, but sometimes at the mairie or local police station.

During the ceremony, the charter of rights and duties is read out to the new French citizens.

Attendance is not obligatory, although inviting new citizens to a ceremony is.

Employers are obliged to grant at least half a day of extra paid leave to enable people to attend.

3. Set up a not-for-profit 1901 association

You can also set up a charitable foundation. You can also apply to have your organisation recognised as being a utilité public (of public utility), which is financially advantageous.

This is free and in many areas can be done online.

4. Do an association name check

Check that the name you have chosen for your association or foundation is not already in use.

The prefecture should be able to point you in the direction of a list of names already in circulation.

5. Get permission to run a temporary bar

This applies to association bars at public events such as fairs, festivals or car boot sales.

They usually allow groups to sell wine and beer but not spirits.

6. Get tour guide accreditation

Apply for a card showing that you are a fully-qualified, professional guide-conférencier.

You will need this to get a job as a tour guide in a state-owned museum or monument.

Getting the card requires a surprising amount of experience and academic qualifications  and, as a result, is highly prized.

7. Get a medal

Apply to be awarded a medal for long service in your employment.

The Médaille d’Honneur du Travail, the Médaille d’Honneur Régionale, Départementale et Communale, and the Médaille d’Honneur Agricole are awarded twice a year to applicants who fulfil the requirements.

8. Get copies of official documents

These could be administrative documents and/or public information, such as reports, minutes of meetings, fines levied, statistics, planning permissions and documents announcing administrative decisions.

9. Ask for an exemption from Sunday rules

A dérogation au repos dominical is needed if, for example, you want to open your boulangerie on a Sunday morning.

10. Medical for driving

Provide a list of doctors you can visit who can check you are safe to drive should you have a condition considered potentially incompatible with driving.