3. Getting Free Architectural/Planning Advice in France

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

3.2. 'Conseil Architecte'

Your local mairie (if they offer a planning service) or the local office of the Direction Départementale d’Équipement (county planning and highways department) also offer free planning and architectural advice through an advisor called a conseil architecte.

This is a person appointed in each planning authority to provide technical advice to planning applicants.

The conseil architecte may also have the names of local architects who are competent to deal with your application, although they are unlikely to be willing to make a recommendation.

If the property is in a sensitive or protected area, or it is a listed building, then specific advice should be available from the Service départemental de l'architecture et du patrimoine (SDAP), who are also located in the prefecture.

Contact your local mairie in the first instance to ask how you can meet with them.