Public Conduct — France
What travelers need to know about public conduct in France. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Public Conduct in France: prohibited — what is legal at home can be a serious crime here.
Concealing your face in a public place is an offence in France under Law No. 2010-1192 of 11 October 2010 (Penal Code art. R645-14). "Public place" is broad: streets, roads and highways, public gardens, stations, airports, beaches, cinemas, shops, restaurants, banks and public transport, plus courts, town halls, hospitals, schools, museums and libraries. Exceptions cover safety equipment required by law such as a motorcycle helmet, health or professional requirements, sport such as a fencing mask, artistic and traditional events such as carnivals and theatre, and places of worship. At a demonstration the rule is far harsher, and forcing another person to cover their face is a separate and much more serious offence.
A 5th-class contravention: a 150 EUR fine, with a citizenship course available instead of or in addition to it. Concealing the face at a demonstration: 1,500 EUR, rising to 3,000 EUR on repeat, and up to 1 year's imprisonment plus 15,000 EUR where public disorder occurs or may occur (art. 431-9-1). Forcing another person to conceal their face by threat, violence or coercion on grounds of sex: 1 year's imprisonment and 30,000 EUR, doubled to 2 years and 60,000 EUR where the victim is a minor (art. 225-4-10).
§ Service-Public.gouv.fr (DILA) - Peut-on cacher son visage dans un lieu public ?Verified Sep 17, 2026