Night Carp Fishing in Val-de-Marne

The essentials in 20 seconds

Night carp fishing is legal in Val-de-Marne on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Vegetable baits and boilies only, catch-and-release is mandatory. Geocarp lists 18 verified night venues in this department, with maps, access details and angler reports — in English.

The Val-de-Marne is the most generous of the Paris departments: rather than naming a handful of swims, the prefectural order in force allows night carp fishing on four rods across every second-category watercourse in the department — and every watercourse in the Val-de-Marne is classified as such. In practice that opens the Seine from Villeneuve-Saint-Georges to Ivry and, more interestingly for most anglers, the whole of the river Marne as it loops through Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, Joinville, Nogent and Charenton: a wide, slow, tree-lined river of guinguettes and rowing clubs, twenty minutes from central Paris on the RER. The lake at the Créteil watersports park is also open on its authorised sections. This is urban fishing with excellent access and no long drive — you can be on the bank the evening you land. Rules are simple: plant-based baits and groundbait only, bank fishing only with bait boats banned, no carp retained or moved between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise, no live carp over 60 cm transported at any time, and nothing fished within 50 m either side of a lock or weir. Closed waters are excluded and temporary reserves may apply.

Verified venues

Status verified against the current prefectural decree.

Night fishing rules — Val-de-Marne

Always check the departmental fishing federation's official list before your session.

Official list — Val-de-Marne fishing federation

Frequently asked questions

Is night carp fishing legal in Val-de-Marne, France?

Yes, on designated stretches defined by prefectural decree. Geocarp lists these venues with maps, access details and angler reports.

Do I need a French fishing licence?

Yes. A valid French fishing licence (carte de pêche) is mandatory and can be bought online at cartedepeche.fr. Some venues require an additional night carp option from the local angling club (AAPPMA).

What baits are allowed at night in France?

Vegetable baits and boilies only. Any carp caught at night must be released immediately — keeping or transporting carp at night is prohibited by French law (decree 2004-599).

Is the Val-de-Marne (94) a good destination for a night carp fishing trip from the UK?

It is the easiest urban option in France. The prefectural order in force allows night carp fishing on four rods across every second-category watercourse in the department — and all of them are classified that way — so there is no list of swims to work through. That opens the whole of the river Marne through Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, Joinville, Nogent and Charenton, the Seine from Villeneuve-Saint-Georges to Ivry, and the Yerres, closed waters excepted. The lake at the Créteil watersports park is open on its authorised sections. Central Paris is twenty minutes away on the RER and Orly airport is close, so this works as a fly-in trip with no car. Rules: plant-based baits and groundbait only, bank fishing only, bait boats prohibited, no carp retained or moved between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise, no live carp over 60 cm transported, and nothing fished within 50 m either side of locks and weirs.