Before leaving to detect:

1. You must have obtained the authorization of the owner of the land in order not to be in violation of the texts defining the rights of private property. Be courteous and systematically ask the owner for written authorization with our authorization forms while ensuring with him that his land does not contain any archaeological site or vestige. And to find an owner just check the cadastre in the town hall or go to the nearest house. And beware, the farmers you meet are not necessarily the owners of the land on which they work, but simply the operators.


2. 2. The free use of a metal detector in France has been defined (1) as the search for recently lost objects (jewelry, mobile phone, recent coins, etc.) the search for metal pipes, family goods . By extension the search for tools and agricultural mechanical parts recently lost and depollution.
IMPORTANT: In no case can so-called leisure detection be helped by the use of aerial photos, toponymy (study of maps and place names) or even research in archives or in archaeological or historical books. These types of surveys require having obtained a specific prefectural authorization, issued by the Regional Prefecture (D.R.A.C) in addition to the authorization of the land owner. (see article L542-1 of the heritage code) (1) as specified in the reports of Messrs Yves PILLET and Michel MIROUDOT, Presenting law 89-900 to deputies and senators before their vote.

3. Find out before detecting on land: Certain regions or municipalities are completely prohibited from using a metal detector: this is the case for the Picardie region (and therefore the Oise departments, the 'Aisne, la Somme), Verdun and its surroundings (Les Zones Rouges) or the Normandy or Provence landing beaches. (Risk of accident) All forests managed by the O.N.F as well as nature reserves are also prohibited. We can also cite the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne. Many beaches are also prohibited from detection, at certain times or simply in summer or all year round. In any case, do not hesitate to inquire with the municipalities or prefectures to avoid any problems.

Before leaving to detect:

1. Be careful when digging the ground. Not all objects that "sound big" are harmless. Accidents happen every year and we recommend that you exercise the utmost vigilance. Any discovery of unexploded ordnance must be reported to the nearest gendarmerie or police station (call 112).

2. If you use your detector in a plowed field take care never to dig below the layer regularly moved by the plow, this in order to preserve possible archaeological sites.

3. The use of a metal detector can lead you to discover archaeological, historical, grouped or isolated objects, burials, unpublished archaeological sites. Have the reflex to stop digging as soon as you have a suspicion of discoveries that may interest archeology and notify as soon as possible the Mayor of the town and / or the Regional Archaeological Service (SRA). If necessary, you can also contact the secretariat of the Responsible Prospecting Organization who can help you in these steps.

4. Also think about nature, taking with you all the metallic waste that you have unearthed. Because you are responsible for what you find and for the good image of the detector

5. If you use your detector in the forest, on pasture or on land not disturbed by humans, be careful not to disturb the ground by avoiding digging large holes and being careful. Certain archaeological sites can be found on the surface on this kind of ground. You must minimize the damage you can create as much as possible. It is also important to fill in your holes. A simple measure of respect towards the owner who gave you his authorization. Some legal concepts to know: Related to the use of a metal detector and archeology. It includes extracts from the Heritage Code (Law nº 2004-1343 of December 9, 2004 art. 78 XIV a 12º Official Journal of December 10, 2004) and articles of the civil code.

After detection:
1. Notify the owner of the land and show him all your discoveries as well as the competent archaeological services in the region (see point 2). If you have any doubts about the objects discovered and you are starting out in this activity, show the objects to an archaeological or historical association. Otherwise have them identified on the Internet, there are serious identification websites where regulars of identification can inform you.

2. Declare any discovery that may be of interest to art, history, prehistory or archeology. If you do not know how to do it, contact our organization.

3. Record the location of all your discoveries with the exact location in a paper or computerized document, in order to keep a record (archive).

4. Clean your objects only if you are sure of the treatment (chemical or physical) that you apply to it. If in doubt, ask.

5. Any discovery of objects whose owner can be identified (jewelry, watch, ring, etc.) must be reported to the municipality of the place of discovery.

6 . In the event of the discovery of human bones or a soldier's identity plate, you must inform the town hall of the municipality concerned or the police or gendarmerie services, or even a local association of veterans.

What you should NEVER do:

1. Use a metal detector on an archaeological or historic site or on land containing archaeological remains (no site) without having been previously authorized by means of a prefectural authorization.

2. Prospect with or without a detector on private or state-owned land without having been authorized by the owner.

3. Destroy the stratigraphy (archaeological layers) of a discovery made up of grouped objects (several objects in the same hole) and bring them home.

4. Sell or exchange your discoveries without having declared them.

5. Handle unexploded ordnance of any kind (bullets, shells, etc.). No transport, no disassembly, no cleaning.

6. Forget to present your findings to the owner of the land.

7. Run away when someone approaches you..

8. Use aerial maps, toponymy, archaeological or historical books or even or archives to guide your research, this being completely akin to archaeological prospecting requiring prefectural authorization.