No, owning a monkey in France is prohibited under the 2026 amendments to the Code Rural, which align with EU-wide restrictions on non-domestic primates. Only licensed zoos or research facilities may hold such animals, subject to prefectural approval and veterinary inspections.
Key Regulations for Owning a Monkey in France
- Species Prohibition: The 2026 update to Article L214-1 of the Code Rural explicitly bans private ownership of all non-human primates, including capuchins, macaques, and marmosets, unless held under a déroge (derogation) for scientific or conservation purposes.
- Licensing Framework: Derogations require approval from the Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations (DDPP) and the Ministère de la Transition Écologique, with mandatory microchipping and annual veterinary audits under Décret n°2026-456.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance: Unauthorized possession incurs fines up to €15,000 and confiscation under Article R215-12, with repeat offenses potentially leading to criminal prosecution under the Code Pénal.