Paris filming permit: your complete guide to navigating the process (3 key steps)

The paris filming permit process: your 3-step roadmap to avoid rejection

The reality is stark: late submissions are the single biggest cause of permit rejection in Paris. The city's administration operates on strict, non-negotiable deadlines. To navigate this successfully, you must follow a precise, three-step roadmap that aligns your project with the exact requirements of the Paris Film Office and the Préfecture de Police.

Step 1: Diagnose Your Project Type (The Critical First Decision)

Your entire application path is determined by one factor: the scale and complexity of your shoot. You must choose between two distinct procedures:

• Déclaration Préalable: For minimal-impact shoots. Think a crew of under 10 people with a shoulder camera, filming only on streets or bridges, with no vehicles, parking needs, or traffic disruption. Submission is required 1 week in advance via email.
• AGATE Permit: For any shoot that requires more than the basics. This includes parking reservations, traffic control, use of drones, period uniforms, or filming in parks, on the Seine banks, or at monuments. The mandatory lead time is 15 working days (3 weeks) via the digital AGATE platform.

Step 2: Assemble the Mandatory Dossier

Incomplete applications are rejected outright. For both permit types, you must prepare:

• A certificate of civil liability insurance with a minimum coverage of €1 million.
• A detailed shooting schedule with exact sequences and addresses.
• A full list of crew and equipment.
• For AGATE permits, additional technical plans for parking, lighting, and any street furniture removal.

Step 3: Submit to the Correct Authority with Ample Lead Time

This is where timelines are absolute. Mark your calendar:

• For Déclaration Préalable: Submit your complete form to `tournages@paris.fr` at least 7 days before your first shoot day. Processing is typically swift and free of charge.
• For an AGATE Permit: You must submit through the official AGATE application a full 15 working days prior. This allows the 2-3 weeks needed for the Paris Film Office to coordinate internally with city services (roads, cleanliness) and externally with the Préfecture de Police for any public order elements.

Following this roadmap transforms a bureaucratic gamble into a predictable process. Once you understand the basic process, you'll need to consider where exactly you plan to film, as different filming on public roads in Paris may have specific requirements. The next step is to dive deeper into the critical choice outlined in Step 1.

Agate vs. déclaration préalable: the criterion that determines your path

The dividing line between these two permits is not about preference, but project scope. Choosing incorrectly will result in a rejected application. The core criterion is the level of public space occupation and potential disruption your shoot will cause.

This fundamental choice between AGATE and Déclaration Préalable is part of a broader landscape of French filming permits, each with its own purpose and procedure. Once you've selected your path, you need to know exactly who will be reviewing your file.

Who to contact (and when): mapping the paris permit bureaucracy

Navigating the permit process means dealing with two primary authorities, each with a distinct role. Knowing who does what—and when to engage them—is crucial for a smooth application.

The Paris Film Office (Mairie de Paris)

• Role: Your primary point of contact and the central coordinator. They manage the intake for both Déclarations Préalables and AGATE permits, and coordinate necessary city services like the Roadway Directorate for cleanliness and lighting.
• When to Contact: For all initial inquiries and procedural guidance. They are your first and main point of submission.
• Key Contact: `tournages@paris.fr` (for general information and Déclaration Préalable submissions).

The Préfecture de Police (Service des Prises de Vues)

• Role: The authority on public order and safety. They review and authorize any element that affects traffic, security, or involves sensitive props. This includes traffic neutralizations, the use of drones, simulated police uniforms, or fake weapons.
• When to Contact: You do not contact them directly initially. If your AGATE application requires their review, the Paris Film Office will manage the coordination. Their involvement is why AGATE permits require a 15-working-day lead time.
• Key Contact: Their involvement is triggered internally. Direct contact (Tel: +33 1 53 71 42 35) is typically for follow-ups on complex dossiers already in motion.

To successfully navigate this bureaucracy, having the right contact information for each department at the right time is crucial. For a dedicated resource, consult our page on administrative contacts. With the "who" and "when" established, the "where" presents its own set of critical rules.

Paris filming zones: 3 restrictions you can't ignore and pro tips for success

Paris is not a uniform filming location. Specific areas are governed by strict, non-negotiable restrictions. Ignoring these geographic rules is a fast track to denial, regardless of how perfect your application is.

1. The Absolute Champs-Élysées Ban

As of 2026, the Préfecture de Police maintains a complete ban on filming within the entire Champs-Élysées perimeter. This is not a restriction but a prohibition. Do not waste time planning a shoot here; alternative locations must be secured.

2. "Stressed Arrondissements" and Parking Limits

Certain central districts are classified as over-saturated. In Paris Centre (1st-4th), the 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and the Butte Montmartre area of the 18th, the city severely limits or outright denies parking reservations (arrêtés de stationnement) for technical vehicles. Your AGATE application must have a compelling justification and a minimized vehicle footprint.

3. The Pre-Check Obligation

You must verify that your desired street is not already "closed to parking" or under a permanent "at rest" order before submitting your request. The city will not grant a permit for a space that is legally unavailable. This due diligence falls on the production.

Pro Tips for Success:

• Notify Locally: For any disruption, distributing leaflets to residents and businesses detailing your schedule and contact info is not just polite—it's a best practice that pre-empts complaints to the authorities.
• Insure Early: Have your €1 million liability certificate ready from day one. It's a non-negotiable document for submission.
• Plan for Scrutiny: Since June 2022, the city has enforced a reduction in the number of technical vehicles allowed. Be prepared to justify every truck and van in your plan.

These top-level restrictions are just the beginning; Paris is mapped into specific filming zones with detailed rules that must be consulted. For a deeper dive, explore our guide to geographic restrictions. When your project involves even more unique elements, like animals, the formal rules give way to nuanced judgment.

Filming with animals in paris: navigating the unwritten rules

What happens when your script calls for a canine co-star or a period-accurate horse? Paris has no published, specific procedure for filming with animals. Your permit application follows the standard AGATE path, but it enters a gray area governed by unwritten rules and discretionary approvals.

The consensus among location managers is that animal welfare becomes a paramount, unofficial condition. Authorities may require proof of a professional animal handler, on-set veterinary supervision, or approvals from the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP). As one veteran producer notes, "The question isn't just 'do you have a permit?' but 'can you prove the animal's presence is managed with irreproachable care?'" A generic example: a commercial shoot featuring a dog in a café terrace scene would need its AGATE application to explicitly detail the animal's handling, rest area, and safety protocols, far beyond standard planning.

Navigating these unwritten rules often means you're venturing into the territory of special filming permits, which cover a range of complex scenarios. This ambiguity highlights a key reality: while the core process is structured, unique or high-stakes elements demand expert navigation of both the written law and the administrative culture of Paris.