3. Getting Free Architectural/Planning Advice in France

Before you proceed to appoint an architect, you might want to consider approaching one or more of a number of publicly available free sources of planning, architectural and construction advice.

There are three main sources of advice:

1. 3.1. CAUE
2. 3.2. Conseil Architecte
3. 3.3. ANIL

3.1. Conseil d’Architecture d’Urbanisme et de l’Environnement (CAUE)

The Conseil d’Architecture d’Urbanisme et de l’Environnement (CAUE) offers a useful and FREE planning and architectural advice service and there is one based in every département (county) of the country.

The CAUE is a federated body established by the government to provide advice to local councils, public officials and private applicants in matters of planning and architecture.

Some CAUE have full time architects, but others use those who work in the private sector who spend some of their time working in the CAUE. Their fees are paid by the regional council and the CAUE is funded by a tax on planning consents!

The CAUE cannot be used to prepare and submit a planning application, but they can be a most useful source of preliminary advice for those contemplating a building project.

You can find the contact details of the CAUE in your area by visiting CAUE