This article particularly talks about Dordogne… but I think the Declaration is necessary throughout France…
Yes, we had a message from the Maire via Panneau Pocket about this a week ago here in Aude.
This subject came up before and I asked if air rifles were included, I can’t remember what the reply was but I can’t find mine anyway, so must assume that nobody else can either.
I gave up all the air rifles and 12 bore before I moved plus a huge Japanese bayonette knife is a leather cover (WW2 souvenir FIL returned with and kept all these years) and the gendarmes were round at mine within half and hour, some items were kept by one of them as private collection souvenirs when I found more stuff but I was glad to be rid of them to be honest and we could no longer use the air rifles safely with all the new houses being built nearby and more kids about. I have kept though, a solid hardwood truncheon that belonged to OH grandfather when he was a sergeant in the met.
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Father in Law was a Special Constable during WW11 and we have his wooden truncheon hanging on a beam by its original leather strap…
if we have burglars… I’ll be using one of my wooden hockey sticks… I used to be quite lethal in the long-gone days 
EDIT: I mean the Second World War (of course) cheers @David_Spardo 
According to this, only air rifles with a muzzle energy above 20 Joules (14.7 ftlb) come under Category C and need to be declared.
Any air rifle from the U.K. that didn’t need a FAC to purchase and possess will be Category D in France.
Air weapons below 20 Joules are Category D and can be freely held and transferred.
need to be careful… Category D has rules too…
Can a miner buy a category D weapon?
No, no, no. You must be major for acquire one D-category weapon, including its components and ammunition.
Can I carry/transport a D-category weapon?
The carrying and the transport of a D-category weapon outside your home (for example, in your car) are prohibited without legitimate grounds.
In case of security check (check a bag, a vehicle…), you must be able to provide a legitimate reason.
To determine if you have a valid reason to carry or transport a weapon, law enforcement, or the judge in case of dispute, take into account of the location, circumstances and the background.
Examination of the legitimate reason is done on a case by case basis.
Thus, to claim that the weapon would be used to better deal with an altercation or danger is not a legitimate ground in itself.
That depends of places, circumstances and the background.
Penalties for carrying or transporting a Class D weapon out of your home without legitimate cause vary by weapon.
You may be fined €15,000 and 1 year in prison.
If you commit the offense with another person, you risk a fine of €30,000 and 2 years in prison.
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Good points.
I guess my using and transporting firearms for decades makes me consider all those rules and restrictions standard operating procedure and I didn’t feel the need to mention them.
Even airsoft guns and paintball markers that look like firearms are subject to these “good reason” rules in the U.K.
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I have a full length american baseball bat under the bed ready for any intruders - I believe in France, you have the complete right to defend yourself against intruders including shooting them!
I am often in awe of your knowledge @Stella, but even more so now that you can even see into the future. I am only up to WWI and WWII at the moment and must now brace myself for WWs III through to XI. 
Sorry, only joking, I am still recovering from seeing Jules heading for the scenery after he set off so fast the 33m line slipped out of my grasp. The last time he did that there he didn’t stop 'till he got to the next but one commune. This time he stopped to chew on the remains of a very large dead bird. Not a Crow, much bigger, but carrion all the same. 
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nope… you must treat 'em gently… or you’ll end up in the nick
I would have though a miner would prefer a pick and shovel . . . . . . . .
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Sadly, the page was already automatically translated into English… and I didn’t bother to check it (admit total failure on my part )
I saw that too, but resisted on the grounds that joking about 2 typos in the same thread was a typo too far. 
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sadly, one was simply “copy and paste” from the Govt site.
but I don’t mind folk muttering about my typo troubles… if it keeps 'em happy
No, I’m just happy to see you.
I’ve got an ebony Zulu knobkerrie, that looks like an innocuous, rather elegant walking stick, but apparently if swung from the tip can kill with one blow. In the C19th they were used by Shaka Zulu’s executors. Were also used for hunting leopards (haven’t tried that…)
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Me too.
I keep a shillelagh - acquired on a trip to County Clare in Ireland - under my bed in case burglars come to visit. If they are not interested in that, my wife has some jewellery. . . .
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I think you’re meant to keep it under your arm
If that’s too opaque -