Editing Metal detector (section)

====France====
The sale of metal detectors is allowed in France. The first use of metal detectors in France which led to archaeological discoveries occurred in 1958: people living in the city of Graincourt-lès-Havrincourt who were seeking copper from World War I bombshell with military mine detector found a Roman silver treasure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.louvre.fr/oeuvre-notices/plat-aux-poissons-du-tresor-de-graincourt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617020446/https://www.louvre.fr/oeuvre-notices/plat-aux-poissons-du-tresor-de-graincourt |title=Plat aux poissons du Trésor de Graincourt |language=fr |archive-date=17 June 2013 |website=www.louvre.fr}}</ref> The French law on metal detecting is ambiguous because it refers only to the objective pursued by the user of a metal detector. The first law to regulate the use of metal detectors was Law No. 89–900 of 18 December 1989. This last is resumed without any change in Article L. 542–1 of the code of the heritage, which states that "no person may use the equipment for the detection of metal objects, for the purpose of research monuments and items of interest prehistory, history, art and archeology without having previously obtained an administrative authorization issued based on the applicant's qualification and the nature and method of research."{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Outside the research of archaeological objects, using a metal detector does not require specific authorization, except that of the owner of the land. Asked about Law No. 89–900 of 18 December 1989 by a member of parliament, Jack Lang, Minister of Culture at the time, replied by letter the following: "The new law does not prohibit the use of metal detectors but only regulates the use. If the purpose of such use is the search for archaeological remains, prior authorization is required from my services. Apart from this case, the law ask to be reported to the appropriate authorities an accidental discovery of archaeological remains." The entire letter of Jack Lang was published in 1990 in a French metal detection magazine,<ref>{{cite journal|title=Le Prospecteur|issue=5|issn= 1169-3835}}</ref> and then, to be visible on the internet, scanned with permission of the author of the magazine on a French metal detection website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prospection-de-loisir.fr/trouver-or-detecteur-de-metaux/|title=Detecteur-de-metaux.com – Or natif et trésor – Conseils et guide d'achat|date=30 December 2021 }}</ref>