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Saturday, October 24, 2026

Culture without borders. / La culture sans frontières.

France: Hunting, a Popular Pastime but a Source of Division

Hunting ranks as the third favorite pastime among the French, after football and fishing. This ancient activity is popular but also divides traditionalists and animal rights activists. Despite improved safety, most French do not feel safe outdoors during hunting season. The government has introduced regulations, while the hunting lobby remains powerful.


Amina Cissé
Amina Cissé
October 2, 2026  ·  1 min read
Brief

Hunting is the third favorite pastime in France, after football and fishing, according to France 24.

This ancient activity provokes strong passions, pitting defenders of hunting traditions against a growing number of animal rights activists.

Although the practice has statistically become safer, a majority of French people report not feeling safe when walking in nature during hunting season.

In response to these tensions, the French government has taken measures to better regulate hunting, but the hunting lobby remains a powerful and influential rural actor.

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