Everything you need to know about France’s 2026 hunting season

France’s 2026‑2027 hunting season will begin at different times across the country, with the first dates set for August 23 in the Grand Est region and the latest start on September 28. The staggered schedule is determined by local authorities and varies by département.

In Grand Est, the départements Haut‑Rhin, Bas‑Rhin and Moselle opened the season on August 23. The northern half of France, excluding Grand Est, generally starts on September 20 or 27, while the southern half begins on September 13. Some départements have separate start dates for lowland and highland zones; for example, Ariège’s lowland zone opens on September 13 and its highland zone on September 20. In Charente‑Maritime the season starts on September 13, except for Île d’Aix, which begins a week later. Deux‑Sèvres starts on September 14, but the town of Niort delays the start until September 27.

Hunting in mainland France is largely finished by the end of February, with end dates also staggered. For the 2025‑2026 season, the earliest finish is January 10 in Alpes‑de‑Haute‑Provence, Hautes‑Alpes and Alpes‑Maritimes, while the latest is February 28 in a large group of départements, including Ain, Allier, Bouches‑du‑Rhône and many others. A few départements, such as Aveyron, close on March 31. Prefectural decrees can extend the season in certain areas to control wildlife populations.

French law allows hunting of about 90 species, divided among land‑based game, waterfowl and migratory birds. The specific game available in each area is set by local authorities and can change on the day of a hunt. Quotas and other controls may apply to certain species.

All hunters must hold a valid hunting permit (permis de chasser). The permit is obtained by passing a theoretical and practical exam administered by the National Hunting and Wildlife Agency (Office National de Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage). Applicants must be at least 16 years old, possess a medical certificate and meet other eligibility criteria. A permit is valid for life but must be renewed annually with the departmental hunters’ federation. A false declaration voids the permit and can lead to fines up to €1,500 or, under the penal code, up to two years’ imprisonment and a €30,000 fine.

Permit holders must also pay licence fees (redevance cynégétique). The annual fee is €50.60 as of 2026, with a three‑day pass costing €25.01. Hunting is allowed on

Article and image source: thelocal.fr