By department
Best-equipped towns
- Nice 7
- Bordeaux 6
- Marseille 5
- Nantes 5
- Lille 4
- Montpellier 3
- Paris 2
- Lyon 2
- Strasbourg 2
- Grenoble 2
- Fort-de-France 2
- Toulouse 1
- Rennes 1
- Saint-Étienne 1
- La Ciotat 1
Country-specific rules
Stemming from Decree No. 96-495 of 4 June 1996, these articles set safety requirements for basketball goals, outdoors and indoors. They must be anchored, or weighted with counterweights, so they hold when someone hangs from the hoop. Non-compliant equipment must be made inaccessible immediately by its owner or operator, who must also keep it maintained.
The mayor can set access hours for the court by municipal order. The French Public Health Code (Article R.1336-5) prohibits any noise that, through its duration, repetition or intensity, disturbs the peace of the neighbourhood or harms human health. A bouncing ball can disturb neighbours, especially in the evening.
Good to know
- Before playing, check that the post, backboard and rim are firmly fixed and don't move.
- Don't hang from the rim or backboard: even though hoops are meant to withstand it, worn or poorly fixed equipment can give way.
- If you are alone on a two-hoop court, leave the other hoop free for people who turn up.
Read the full guide: basketball courts →
FAQ
How many basketball courts are there in France?
Oukonjou lists 44 free-access ones, in 15 towns.
Where are the most basketball courts in France?
The best-equipped towns are Nice (7), Bordeaux (6) and Marseille (5).
How do I find the nearest basketball court?
Open the map, pick “Basketball courts” and tap “Near me”: the list sorts by distance. Your position stays in your browser.
Do I need to book or pay?
No. The basketball courts listed here are reported as free access: free of charge and no booking, within the rules posted on site (hours, age, sharing).
Data updated on November 2, 2026