Guide To: Setting Up An Association In France

Joining a club in your local area can be a great way to meet people and make new friends in France, or perhaps you’re keen to start your own? Kate McNally explains the rules and regulations

- Kate McNally

France is home to a multitude of associations, ranging from sports clubs to school fundraising groups, to tourist services. In effect, any non-profit-making organization can be established under the Loi Association 1901, which allows for two or more people to set up an association as a legal entity.

Once a year, usually in September to coincide with la rentrée, towns and villages hold an event known as the Forum des Associations bringing together clubs and associations to present their activities to the locals. It’s a popular event in the annual calendar when all members of the family can discover a varied offer of groups and clubs, both new and seasoned, to join as either paying members or volunteers.

If you are thinking of setting up an association, here are a few guidelines to get you started.

REGISTERING AN ASSOCIATION

An association doesn’t actually have to be registered or declared, however, you do need to register to obtain a legal statute that will be required if, for example, you want to open a bank account or employ staff or third party services. In reality, this means the vast majority of associations in France are registered.

You can register free of charge online via the government website service-public.fr, or in person at the local préfecture. You will need to provide the following information:

• Name, address, date, and place of birth, and occupation of the individuals in charge of the association’s administration – it must be a minimum of two people, usually acting as president and treasurer, and can be more if there is a secretary or committee for example.