France · checked 2026-10-27 · Medium confidence

Knife carry law in France

France has no list of 'allowed' pocket knives. Government answers treat knives as weapons you may own but may only carry or transport with a 'motif légitime', judged case by case. Since 2025 zombie knives are banned outright; butterfly and automatic knives are named category D weapons.

This summary rests on mostly official, partly secondary sources. Open questions are listed at the end. Treat anything marked unclear as a reason to leave the item at home.

How we apply the law

Rules are checked from the top. The first one that fits decides. Every verdict on this site comes from this list, not from hand typed cells.

1ProhibitedA fixed blade, special category: zombie-knife
Fixed blade with one cutting side, a pointed tip, a serrated back and either more than one hole or several spikes: category A1 since decree 2025-894. Buying and possessing it is banned; owners had to hand them in by 7 Dec 2025.
Source
2Reason neededA folding knife or a multitool, automatic
Locking knives with automatic opening are named category D weapons (arrêté 4 July 2025). Adults may own them, but carrying or transporting one outside home needs a legitimate reason or risks 1 year and €15,000.
Source
3Reason neededA folding knife or a multitool, gravity or flick opening
Butterfly/balisong knives are named category D weapons (arrêté 4 July 2025). Owning is allowed for adults; carrying or transporting without a legitimate reason is an offence. Other flick/gravity knives are not named but are weapons by destination.
Source
4Reason neededAny knife or tool, double edged
Daggers and dagger-knives (double-edged blades) are named category D weapons. Carrying or transporting needs a legitimate reason (e.g. hunting trip, historical re-enactment, per the government).
Source
5Reason neededA folding knife, a fixed blade or a multitool
Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Source
6UnclearScissors only or a keychain tool
Not named. Prefectures say everyday objects (scissors, screwdrivers, kitchen knives) can be treated as weapons by destination depending on use, time and place (art. 132-75 Code pénal). Carry only with a clear ordinary purpose.
Source
7Reason neededAnything else
Catch-all: treat as needing a legitimate reason to carry or transport outside the home.
Source

34 popular knives and tools, checked here

Specifications come from the makers. Where a maker does not publish the cutting edge length, a length rule can only be answered if even the full blade length falls on one side of the line. Otherwise the result is unclear, on purpose.

Product	Specs	Result
Gerber Dime	blade 38.1 mm (1.50 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Not named. Prefectures say everyday objects (scissors, screwdrivers, kitchen knives) can be treated as weapons by destination depending on use, time and place (art. 132-75 Code pénal). Carry only with a clear ordinary purpose.
Leatherman Micra	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Not named. Prefectures say everyday objects (scissors, screwdrivers, kitchen knives) can be treated as weapons by destination depending on use, time and place (art. 132-75 Code pénal). Carry only with a clear ordinary purpose.
Leatherman Squirt PS4	blade 40.6 mm (1.60 in); cutting edge not published	Unclear Why Not named. Prefectures say everyday objects (scissors, screwdrivers, kitchen knives) can be treated as weapons by destination depending on use, time and place (art. 132-75 Code pénal). Carry only with a clear ordinary purpose.
Victorinox Swiss Card Classic	blade length not published	Unclear Why Not named. Prefectures say everyday objects (scissors, screwdrivers, kitchen knives) can be treated as weapons by destination depending on use, time and place (art. 132-75 Code pénal). Carry only with a clear ordinary purpose.
Buck 110 Folding Hunter	blade 95.3 mm (3.75 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Leatherman Arc	blade 70.1 mm (2.76 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Benchmade Bugout	blade 82.3 mm (3.24 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Victorinox Cadet (Alox)	blade 64 mm (2.52 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Victorinox Classic SD	blade 40 mm (1.57 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Victorinox Climber	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Morakniv Companion (stainless, Hi-Vis Orange shown)	blade 104 mm (4.09 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Spyderco Delica 4 (Lightweight)	65 mm cutting edge (2.56 in)	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
CIVIVI Elementum	blade 75.2 mm (2.96 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami SK (Niwaki-sold Kanekoma)	blade 71 mm (2.80 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Victorinox Huntsman	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
ESEE Izula-II	blade 66.8 mm (2.63 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Spyderco Ladybug 3	43 mm cutting edge (1.69 in)	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Kershaw Leek	blade 76.2 mm (3.00 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Benchmade Mini Bugout	blade 71.6 mm (2.82 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
W.R. Case & Sons Mini Trapper	blade 69.9 mm (2.75 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Opinel No.07 Stainless Steel	blade 80 mm (3.15 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel	blade 85 mm (3.35 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Spyderco Para 3	67 mm cutting edge (2.64 in)	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Gerber Paraframe I (stainless, plain edge)	blade 76.5 mm (3.01 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Ontario Knife Company RAT Model 1 (RAT I)	blade 88.9 mm (3.50 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Spyderco Roadie	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Leatherman Skeletool CX	blade 66 mm (2.60 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Victorinox Spartan	blade 67 mm (2.64 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Spyderco Squeak	44 mm cutting edge (1.73 in)	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
CRKT Squid (Thumbstud)	blade 54.76 mm (2.16 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
CRKT Squid Assisted	blade 60.2 mm (2.37 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X	blade length not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
W.R. Case & Sons Trapper	76.2 mm cutting edge (3.00 in)	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.
Leatherman Wave Plus	blade 74.2 mm (2.92 in); cutting edge not published	Reason needed Why Any other knife, including Opinel, Laguiole and Swiss-style knives: the government calls them category D (June 2025) or weapons 'by destination' (Feb 2025). Carrying needs a legitimate reason judged case by case; self-defence is not one.

What the verdict does not cover

Public transport and restricted zones: Préfets can issue temporary bans: e.g. Paris police prefecture order 2026-01289 banned carrying weapons and objects that could be weapons on 8-9 Oct 2026 in Paris and three nearby departments (seen in a search excerpt only). Such orders appear sporadically; check the prefecture site. Wider transport-law rules for knives were not verified.
Schools, workplaces and events: Bringing a knife (folding, kitchen, cutter, screwdriver) into a school is an offence under Code pénal art. 431-28: up to 3 years and €45,000 according to the Interior ministry page.
In a vehicle: Transport in a car, bag or case is covered by the same 'sans motif légitime' offence (the ministry distinguishes 'port' = immediately usable from 'transport' = not immediately usable). Keep knives packed away with an evident purpose, e.g. picnic, hunting, work.
Age limits: Minors cannot buy category D weapons. Selling a weapon to a minor: up to 5 years and €75,000 (CSI L317-2, per préfecture). Since decree 2025-894, all sellers must display the ban on sales to minors (by 7 Mar 2026; fourth-class fine otherwise). No fixed minimum age to carry was found beyond the legitimate-reason test.
Buying and importing: Adults may buy and hold category D freely, though non-armourer shops needed prefecture authorisation by 7 Mar 2026 for butterfly and automatic knives. Zombie knives (A1): purchase, possession and sale banned; tourists should not bring them. Import of other knives from abroad and online sales rules were not verified.
Penalties: Carrying/transport without legitimate reason, category D: up to 1 year and €15,000 (CSI L317-8 3°). Where the weapon is handed over voluntarily, prosecution can end with a flat fine of €500 (€400 if paid quickly, €1,000 if late), tested since April 2024 in 12+ court districts; the government said in June 2025 it may be extended nationwide. Possession of an A1 knife: 5 years and €75,000 (Code pénal 222-52, per préfecture).
Recent changes: 7 July 2025: arrêté of 4 July 2025 adds butterfly/balisong, automatic-opening locking knives, throwing stars to category D. 5 Sept 2025: decree 2025-894 makes zombie knives A1 and imposes age-ban signs; surrender deadline 7 Dec 2025. 24 June 2025 ministry answers confirm 'motif légitime' for Laguiole-type knives.
Pending changes: A Senate bill on municipal police (no. 97, 2025-2026) includes extension of the amende forfaitaire délictuelle (an amendment to remove it was rejected 26 Jan 2026). Its final status was not verified.

Reasons the authorities have accepted

Travelling to or from hunting (government example)
Historical re-enactment (government example)
Rural everyday use of a traditional pocket knife such as a Laguiole (minister Feb 2025: can be seen as a utility tool)
Picnic, hiking, work or trade use, with the knife stowed and the purpose obvious (judged case by case)
Not a good reason by itself: self-defence (Interior ministry)

Sources

Code de la sécurité intérieure (CSI) art. L317-8 (penalty for carrying/transport without legitimate reason)
“S'il s'agit d'armes, de munitions ou de leurs éléments de la catégorie D ... d'un an d'emprisonnement et de 15 000 € d'amende.”
CSI art. R311-2 IV a) (category D: daggers and other weapons listed by ministerial order)
“les poignards, les couteaux-poignards, les matraques, les projecteurs hypodermiques et les autres armes figurant sur un arrêté du ministre de l'intérieur”
Arrêté du 4 juillet 2025 (adds butterfly/balisong and automatic-opening locking knives to category D)
“les couteaux à cran d'arrêt avec mécanisme d'ouverture automatique”
Assemblée nationale, written question 5868, answer 24 June 2025 (citing CSI R315-1)
“le port et le transport sans motif légitime des armes, éléments d'armes et munitions des catégories C et D”
Assemblée nationale, written question 3073, answer 24 June 2025 (pocket knives, Laguiole)
“Les couteaux de poche, comme tout autre couteau, sont effectivement classés en catégorie D”
Sénat, oral question 251S, answer 11 Feb 2025 (contradicts the above)
“Les autres couteaux ... ne sont pas expressément classés dans cette catégorie.”
Préfecture de Seine-et-Marne: décret n° 2025-894 of 5 Sept 2025 (zombie knives category A1)
“Les couteaux dits « zombie » et les coups de poing américains à 4 trous fabriqués après 1900 sont classés en catégorie A1”
Ministère de l'Intérieur (Ma Sécurité): carrying weapons for self-defence
“prétendre que l'arme servirait à mieux affronter une altercation ou un danger ne constitue pas un motif légitime en soi.”
Préfecture 74: Réglementation sur les armes blanches

What we could not confirm

Government answers conflict: Feb 2025 (Sénat) says only daggers are expressly category D; June 2025 (Assemblée) says all knives are category D. The classification of plain pocket knives is not settled in the regulation text read.
Code pénal art. 132-75 and CSI R315-1 text was not opened directly; relied on government answers quoting them.
Case law on what counts as 'motif légitime' for pocket knives was not retrieved.
Current geographic extent of the €500 flat fine (nationwide or only pilot districts) as of Oct 2026 is not verified.
Rules for knives on trains, planes and in specific venues in France were not checked.
Spring-assisted and flick knives are not named; assumed to be treated as ordinary knives.
Verified 2026-10-27: the arrêté of 4 July 2025 (Légifrance JORFTEXT000051849523) names butterfly/balisong and automatic-opening locking knives as category D; service-public.gouv.fr F2248 says carrying or transporting any category D weapon without motif légitime is forbidden. Whether plain pocket knives are category D remains contradictory in government answers, so the rules stay conservative.

Keep going

General information, not legal advice. Know something we got wrong? Tell us and include a source.