French Version
A national park is a protected remarkable terrestrial or maritime area with exceptional natural heritage, culture and landscape.The main priorities are the protection of biodiversity, good governance, as well as the excellent management of heritage and tourist centers.National parks are typically composed of two areas:the heartland area and the area of adherence.
The heartland of national parks are defined as terrestrial or maritime areas to be protected.Strict regulations are applied and priority is given to the protection of the natural habitat, species, landscapes and heritage.The heartlands are among the top priority protected areas within the creation of protected areas strategy.They generally correspond to the IUCN Protected Area Category II1.
1 Category II: National Park
Protected areas of Category II are large natural or almost natural areas set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes, and species and ecosystem characteristics of the region, which also provide a base for sightseeing opportunities of educational, recreational, scientific and spiritual nature, in full respect of the environment and the culture of local communities.
"Wilderness reserves" may be established, for scientific purposes, in the heart of a national park in order to ensure greater protection of fauna and flora.National parks' wilderness reserves are established taking into consideration human occupation and its characteristics.They may fall under the IUCN Protected Area Category Ia2.
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Category Ia : Natural wilderness reserves
Category Ia contains protected areas set aside to protect biodiversity and also, potentially, geological / geomorphological features, where visits, use and human impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure protection of conservation values. These protected areas can be used as indispensable reference areas for scientific research and monitoring.
The biotope protection orders dedicated to the conservation of habitat for protected species. It is a regulatory tool of protection at a departmental level, which implementation is rather flexible. It is part of the protected areas primarily arising from the Strategy of Protected Areas Creation currently implemented and is ranked as IUCN Category IV1 as an area of management. Indeed, most biotope protection orders are monitored either directly through a committee under the authority of the prefect, or indirectly within the framework of devices such as Natura 2000 and by ownership by local actors.
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Category IV: Management area of habitats or species
Protected areas of Category IV aim to protect particular species or habitats and their management reflects this priority. Many protected areas Category IV need regular and active interventions to meet the requirements of particular species or to maintain habitats, but this is not a requirement of the category.
The natural habitat protection order (APHN) is a regulatory protection tool specifically protecting natural habitats as such, while biotope protection orders (APB) target protected species. Based on the model of the APBs, it allows permanent or temporary prohibitions to be set in order to ensure effective protection of certain rare or threatened environments that until now have not benefited from an adapted legislative tool. The HPA is classified as a category IV IUCN1 management area.
The creation of this tool was proposed as part of the Grenelle II Law of 2010 and implemented as part of the Biodiversity Plan of July 2018 under Action 40 of Axis 3 "Protect and restore nature in all its components". With the publication of decree n°2018-1180 of 19 December 2018, France is thus fulfilling its commitment to the European Commission on the transposition of the "Habitats Directive".
Not all natural habitats can be protected by a HPA. Several decrees have therefore been issued (in application of Article R411-17-7 of the Environment Code) to establish the list of natural habitats that can be the subject of a HPA in the various territories of metropolitan France and overseas territories.
In metropolitan France, this list includes 156 types of habitats, including the 130 natural habitats listed in Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive, supplemented by 19 terrestrial habitats and 7 marine habitats (sands, mud, coral gardens), present in metropolitan France and overseas territories. These 26 complementary natural habitats were selected by the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) and validated by the National Council for the Protection of Nature (CNPN).
The Order of 19 December 2018 sets out the procedures for submitting and examining requests for exemptions from the prohibitions set by the natural habitats protection order.
Articles L411-1 to L411-3 of the Environment Code relating to the conservation of sites of geological interest, natural habitats, animal or plant species and their habitats
Articles R411-17-7 to R411-17-8 of the environment code relating to measures for the protection of natural habitats
Decree of 19 December 2018 on the protection of biotopes and natural habitats
Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Maarten
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Technical note of January 8, 2020 for instructors
1 Category IV: Management area of habitats or species
Protected areas of Category IV aim to protect particular species or habitats and their management reflects this priority. Many protected areas Category IV need regular and active interventions to meet the requirements of particular species or to maintain habitats, but this is not a requirement of the category.
The prefectural decree fixing the departmental list of sites of geological interest is a regulatory tool which aims to protect, by general measures, the geological sites which are mentioned within it.
It is one of the two tools set up by the decree of December 28, 2015 codified in articles and R.411-17-1 and 17-2 of the environmental code and specified by the Note of December 1, 2016 relating to the protection of sites of geological interest.
This note specifies that "the new measures created by this decree" are:
These decrees are the first legislative tools for the protection of nature applying specifically to geology.
The selection of sites of geological interest (whether it is the list or the protection order) is based on:
The examination procedure for decrees listing sites of geological interest provides for compulsory consultation of the public (simple opinions), of the municipalities concerned, of the departmental commission responsible for nature, landscapes and sites (CDNPS), in its training in "nature protection" and the regional scientific council for natural heritage (CSRPN). They are published in the collection of administrative acts and mentioned in two regional or local newspapers distributed throughout the department.
Articles R.411-17-1 et 17-2 du code de l’environnement
Article L411-1 A du code de l’environnement instituant l’inventaire du patrimoine naturel
Décret n° 2015-1787 du 28 décembre 2015 relatif à la protection des sites d'intérêt géologique
Note du 1er décembre 2016 relative à la protection des sites d’intérêt géologique
In France, the Geotope Protection Order (or APG) is a regulatory protection tool that aims to protect, by appropriate measures, sites of geological interest. It is the first protection law dedicated specificaly for geology. The selection of sites of geological interest is based on 1) the criteria specified in the Decree of December 2015; 2) the sites identified in the National Strategy to Creat Protected Areas and 3) the French National Geoheritage Inventory.
In addition to the general prohibition measures instituted by a first inscription on a "departmental list of geological sites of interest", the Prefect may adopt additional measures likely to prevent the destruction, the alteration or the degradation of a site particular via this specific prefectural decree.
The procedure of instruction of the APG foresees the obligatory consultation of the public, of the towns concerned, of the county commission responsible for nature, landscapes and sites (CDNPS) and the Regional Scientific Council for Natural Heritage (CSRPN in French). The prefectural orders creating the personal protection of the geotopes are taken after collection of these opinions. They are published in the collection of administrative acts and mentioned in two regional or local newspapers distributed throughout the county.
Decree of December 28, 2015 codified in articles and R.411-17-1 and 17-2 of the environmental code
A biological reserve is a protected area in forested environment or environments associated with the forest (moors, ponds, bogs, dunes). This status applies to forests managed by the National Forestry Office
and is intended to protect outstanding or representative habitats. Biological reserves are parts of the primarily areas arising from the Creation of Protected Areas Strategy currently implemented. Depending on habitats and management guidance, distinction is made between managed biological reserves, where a conservation management is implemented (under category IV1 of IUCN) and integral biological reserves where the forest is left to develop freely (that would fall under Category Ia
2 of IUCN).
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Category IV: Management area of habitats or species
Protected areas of Category IV aim to protect particular species or habitats and their management reflects this priority. Many protected areas Category IV need regular and active interventions to meet the requirements of particular species or to maintain habitats, but this is not a requirement of the category.
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Category Ia: Integral Nature Reserve
Category Ia contains protected areas set aside to protect biodiversity and also, potentially, geological / geomorphological features, where visits, use and human impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure protection of conservation values. These protected areas can be used as indispensable reference areas for scientific research and monitoring.
National Wildlife and Hunting Reserves are regulatory protected areas on land or sea. They are devoted to the study and conservation of game, mammals and birds. It is an area of tranquility for animals. All hunting is prohibited, unless an exception is duly motivated by the general interest. National Wildlife and Hunting Reserves are classified as a category IV IUCN1 management area
Their management is mainly ensured by the former Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (National Hunting and Wildlife Office), which became part of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) on 1 January 2020. It is associated with the Office National des Forêts (ONF) which ensures the sustainable management of public forests by taking into account the major issues of sustainable development. The OFB ensures the maintenance of sustainable hunting activities and the definition of a sufficient network of unhunted areas likely to host migratory birds in particular.
Article L. 422-27 of the Environment Code
Articles R. 422-82 to R. 422-85 of the Environment Code
Articles R. 422-86 to R. 422-91 of the Environment Code
Articles R. 422-92 to R. 422-94-1 of the Environment Code
Interministerial Order of 13 December 2006 on hunting and wildlife reserves
1 Category IV: Management area of habitats or species
Protected areas of Category IV aim to protect particular species or habitats and their management reflects this priority. Many protected areas Category IV need regular and active interventions to meet the requirements of particular species or to maintain habitats, but this is not a requirement of the category.
Discover the terrestrial reserves and protected areas managed or co-managed by the OFB
The purpose of nature reserves is to preserve functional, ecologically representative natural environments with a high heritage value in the long term. Depending on the conservation issues, the geographical situation and the local context, the initiative for classification may be taken by the State (national nature reserves), the regional authority (regional nature reserves) or the Corsican territorial authority (corsican nature reserves).
Beyond these differences in administrative status, nature reserves share common objectives and elements, in particular a territory, a regulation and a management authority.
The regulations make it possible to exclude, restrict or organise human activities that threaten the heritage to be protected. This includes work, the movement of people, animals and vehicles, agricultural, pastoral, forestry, fish farming and recreational activities (leisure sports). Activities likely to damage the integrity of the environment are strictly forbidden. Protective perimeters can be set up in the direct or indirect neighbourhood of the reserve to limit the impact of peripheral activities on the nature reserve by means of specific and adapted regulations.
The management body is made up of an advisory committee and an implementing body. The advisory committee brings together all the stakeholders in the reserve (local and state administrations, local elected representatives, owners, users, associations) and its function is to monitor and evaluate the management and to give an opinion on any decision concerning the nature reserve. The management body draws up and implements the management plan, monitors the evolution of the natural environment and, in general, any action useful for the life of the nature reserve. It also welcomes and informs the public, ensures compliance with the regulations and carries out policing activities. The management plan of the reserve determines the interventions necessary to ensure the conservation, maintenance or restoration of the natural heritage.
Réserves naturelles de France (an association under the law of 1901 created on 28 June 1982, on the initiative of nature reserve managers) coordinates the network and aims to guarantee the coherence and durability of the nature reserve tool as well as its articulation with other protected areas.
Articles L. 332-1 to L. 332-27 of the French environmental code
A protective perimeter is a regulatory tool that can be established in vicinity of a nature reserve. Its objective is to limit the impact of peripheral activities on the nature reserve through specific regulations. Depending on the local issues, these regulations may be identical, weaker or stronger than those set up within the nature reserve.
The initiative for this protection, which is complementary to the perimeter of the reserve, comes from the State (national nature reserves), the Regional authorities (regional nature reserves) or the Territorial Collectivity of Corsica (corsican nature reserves).
This perimeter may be established when the reserve is classified or afterwards. The creation procedure requires a public enquiry and the agreement of the municipal councils concerned in the case of terrestrial sites. The agreement of the owners is not mandatory.
The manager of the protection perimeter, which may or may not be identical to that of the associated nature reserve, is designated by the representative of the competent authority (President of the Regional authority Council, the Executive Council of Corsica or the representative of the State) who signs a management agreement with the manager. Unlike the procedure for classifying a nature reserve, the creation of a protection perimeter does not necessarily imply the creation of an advisory committee or the drafting of a management plan.
Articles L.332-16,17,18 of the French environmental code
Article R332-47, 48 of the French environmental code
Article R332-66, 67 for the specificities of corsican nature reserves
Enhanced protection zones (ZPR) or integral protection zones (ZPI) are areas created within nature reserves (or their protection perimeter). These protection zones allow special regulations to be defined to control or prohibit any action likely to alter the state or appearance of the nature reserve, such as hunting, fishing, agricultural, forestry, pastoral, industrial, commercial, sporting and tourist activities, the execution of public or private works, the use of water, and the movement or parking of people, vehicles and animals.
Depending on the type of nature reserve (national, regional or Corsican), these zones are established by the State, the regional authority or the Corsican territorial authority.
The purpose of the reinforced or integral protection zones is to recover, in a defined and monitored area, a dynamic ecosystem, aiming to re-establish a natural balance in terms of size and diversity of species and habitats.
It should be noted that it is the decrees relating to the creation, extension or modification of Nature Reserves that specify the existence and perimeter of any RPZ/IPZ.
