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BALLOONS, MEDALS AND TEMPORARY BAR LICENCES - YOUR LOCAL PREFECTURE CAN HELP WITH THE SERIOUS AND FUN THINGS IN LIFE Every department has a prefecture headed by a prefect, who may be

assisted by one or more _sous-préfets_ in their_ sous-préfectures_. You can think of them as the top jaw (French administration enacted by government-appointed representatives, ie. coming

from the top down) and mairies as the bottom jaw (French administration enacted by elected officials, ie. from the bottom up). One of their main jobs is to police local government and act as

a carrier pigeon between it and the state. They also organise and oversee all local elections. Their websites carry diverse information, such as local bans on barbecues, drought

restrictions, firework bans and rules to keep chickens inside during avian flu outbreaks. This is then republished by mairies in a simpler format. Another of their functions is to make sure

mairies and _communautés de communes_ act legally and correctly. This is because_ élus_ (elected representatives, such as mayors) do not have specific training in administration or law. READ

MORE: HUNDREDS OF FRENCH MAYORS QUIT DUE TO ‘COVID AND INCREASED WORKLOAD’ The prefect is essentially the sheriff and checks everything decided at lower levels before it is signed off to be

actioned. In the past, people had to visit the prefecture to apply for vehicle and residency permits but this is now mostly carried out online. You must still visit for certain tasks. Apart

from picking up a _carte de séjour_, here are other things you can do there or via your prefecture website: 1. SORT A PERMIT TO RELEASE BALLOONS This could be for a wedding or birthday

party, for instance. 2. WELCOME CEREMONIES FOR NEW CITIZENS A_ cérémonie d’accueil _(welcome ceremony) for people acquiring French nationality is usually held at the prefecture, but

sometimes at the mairie or local police station. During the ceremony, the charter of rights and duties is read out to the new French citizens. Attendance is not obligatory, although inviting

new citizens to a ceremony is. Employers are obliged to grant at least half a day of extra paid leave to enable people to attend. 3. SET UP A NOT-FOR-PROFIT 1901 ASSOCIATION You can also

set up a charitable foundation. You can also apply to have your organisation recognised as being a _utilité public_ (of public utility), which is financially advantageous. This is free and

in many areas can be done online. 4. DO AN ASSOCIATION NAME CHECK Check that the name you have chosen for your association or foundation is not already in use. The prefecture should be able

to point you in the direction of a list of names already in circulation. 5. GET PERMISSION TO RUN A TEMPORARY BAR This applies to association bars at public events such as fairs, festivals

or car boot sales. They usually allow groups to sell wine and beer but not spirits. READ MORE: GARDEN PARTIES IN FRANCE: DO I HAVE TO GET PERMISSION TO HOST ONE? 6. GET TOUR GUIDE

ACCREDITATION Apply for a card showing that you are a fully-qualified, professional _guide-conférencier_. You will need this to get a job as a tour guide in a state-owned museum or monument.

Getting the card requires a surprising amount of experience and academic qualifications and, as a result, is highly prized. 7. BE A MEDAL HOLDER Apply to be awarded a medal for long service

in your employment. The _Médaille d’Honneur du Travail_, the _Médaille d’Honneur Régionale, Départementale et Communale_, and the _Médaille d’Honneur Agricole_ are awarded twice a year to

applicants who fulfil the requirements. 8. GET COPIES OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS These could be administrative documents and/or public information, such as reports, minutes of meetings, fines

levied, statistics, planning permissions and documents announcing administrative decisions. 9. ASK FOR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUNDAY RULES A _dérogation au repos dominical_ is needed if, for

example, you want to open your boulangerie on a Sunday morning. 10. MEDICAL FOR DRIVING Provide a list of doctors you can visit who can check you are safe to drive should you have a

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