Is there anyone here that knows the French law with regards to swords? My girlfriend's parents moved to France a few years ago. They live on an old farm and they have lots of room. So, my girlfriend and I would like to bring our weapons and armour for training (and maybe wearing it to a medieval faire).

Transport through The Netherlands and Belgium is no problem. Just make sure the words are out-of-reach. The swords will be tied to the scabbards using the belts and transported inside a closed bag.

But what about French law? I assume possession is legal because shops like the one on Mt. Saint Michel sell plenty of reproduction swords over the counter. But I would like to know what is legal and what not.

Thanks in advance!

This is probably not the best place to get a good answer to that question, actually.

Really, your best bet would be to contact the local law enforcement agency in wherever you're going and ask them--they'd be much more familiar with the actual rules and regulations and know what answer to give.

Frankly as a French I'm not too sure myself :)

Swords are in 6th category in the French law, together with almost everything that is not a firearm. Owning such weapons is legal, but wearing or transporting them is prohibited without a legitimate reason. In the end it all boils down to what the law officer considers legitimate, and this varies according to where you are, doing what, with what attitude... Really subjective.

Carrying a weapon to go to a martial art lesson, for example, is legitimate. The weapon should not be worn in a way that would allow you to use it easily, sort of out of reach, as you say.

On private grounds you should not have any problem except if you hurt someone. I'm unclear on the legal ramifications if someone gets seriously wounded.

If there is a medieval faire going on, it should be acknowledged as a legitimate reason. In that case the police can be more tolerant on the way you carry your weapons within the faire (costume etc.).

Transportation between two places, where family members live... I never had a problem but I've never been controlled either. As I said it depends on the appreciation of the police officer so it is somewhat hard to predict fully.

And of course bear in mind that I'm not a lawyer...If you want to be completely sure follow Eric's advice.

Regards,

Thanks. My French is horrible, so I'll ask my mother in law to see if she can find anything out about this.

The law is a little unclear on this subject, but much is placed on behavior, and in ,the right place/ time sword transport to a event and wearing at a event with the organisers OK,- but behaving like a madman ( not suggesting you are )and like every were else , you get arrested. As long as you have a reason (you do ) all should be well,. The same for at the event.
Not much help, but I have never had a problem, its down to behavior and do you behave like a risk.

This is most likely useless, but germany issues sword permits that are pretty much concealed weapons permits for pointy things. This is rumor, but it seems most European countries will accept them. Although its the french, so who knows :D

Saint George!!!

Most French do not expect you to speak French if you are visiting, but a" please and thank you "in anyones native language is never a miss. I have English friends who visit and they have more problems with the English customs than the French (they have firearms) and a simple letter from the club/seems to suffice here.There is never a English speaker to far away in most parts of France and most peoples reluctance to talk can be embarrassment about getting it wrong, mine is.

Thanks Jean.

Quote:

3° Weapons listed in 2° above are transported in such a way that they cannot be used immediately.....

I'm a little confused about this. Is this clause separate from the 2nd clause or joined with it? E.g:

Separate: Transportation of cat1-4+6 is forbidden unless you have a legitimate reason *or* they are transported in such a way that they cannot be used.

Joined: Transportation of cat1-4+6 is forbidden unless you have a legitimate reason *and* they are transported in such a way that they cannot be used.

I can't figure out which of these two it is. Do you know? Or do you perhaps have a link to the original text that I can show to my inlaws?

I don't know about France (Which means that, technically, this is off-topic) but, in my county in the States, there is NO law governing the wearing of, or, carrying of a sword. It's not until you draw it and menace someone with it that it becomes a problem.

HTH,
Murphy