Please take this seriously if you are visiting or passing through France or any French territory, as this law is not commonly known.

It is forbidden to carry any form of arm including any knife on your person or within reach, irrespective of legitimacy of intention.

This means ANY and ALL blades including Leatherman or similar multi tool with a cutting blade; Swiss army knife or similar; bush craft style knife and even a cutlery knife.

Most people think that a blade of less than 2 ins (50 mm) in a folding knife is acceptable in your pocket or nearby.( It is in some countries). Since the law changed in France in 2013 it's forbidden , and if you are seen carrying or using one in the street for whatever purpose by the Gendarmerie it will be confiscated immediately with no possibility of return. It has caused outrage amongst the elderly who still carry Opinel or Laguiole knives in their pockets for cutting bread at lunchtimes or for eating with in restaurants.

My advice is to bury any thing like a knife or sharp tool like a screwdriver deep in a container in your pannier or ''out of reach'' luggage. Tank bags are too close. Having said that, the Gendarmerie are not allowed to routinely inspect your luggage unless they have a legitimate concern and you have been cautioned. Having to give up an expensive Leatherman or similar you are using to adjust adjust something on your vehicle or even cutting a piece of rope at the side of the road is not a happy experience ( I can tell you!).

http://www.knivesandtools.fr/fr/ct/l...x-et-armes.htm

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-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)