Country Summary for FRANCE

Definitions

Property belonging to public collections and French Museums, property designated in accordance with provisions pertaining to historic monuments and archives as well as other properties which are of major interest to the national heritage from the point of view of history, art or archaeology shall be considered to be national treasures. (NHC, Art. L111-1)

Sites, wrecks, remains or in general any property which represents a prehistoric or historic interest, is situated in the maritime public domain or at the bottom of the sea in the adjacent area shall constitute maritime cultural property. (NHC, Art. L532-1)

Registry

Movable objects that are either actually  movable or immovable in purpose and whose conservation represents a public interest from the point of view of history, art, science or technology, may be listed under historic monuments upon decision of the administrative authorities. (NHC - Art. L622-1)