Frequently asked questions

A domain name is a word or combination of words used to identify a site or server. Each domain name is unique and cannot be copied. Example: bienvenue.paris

The .paris is a domain name extension managed by the City of Paris. On the Internet, the address of a server ends in an extension. The best known are .com, .org, or .net. In 2013, the ICANN approved the City of Paris' application to manage a new extension: .paris.

Paris is like a great brand universally known. But beyond the image reflected in the evocation of the City of Paris, .paris opens up a new digital territory and many interesting possibilities such as :

– Economic development: by bringing the domain name back to a local scale, we restrict competition on the most popular names and give local players a chance to improve their presence and online visibility while promoting the excellence of their business.

– New local digital services: this is an opportunity to review the use of generic names with high added value and to develop new services and new players.

The .paris is aimed at all Paris lovers and all economic players connected with Paris.

Geographically, it includes the entire Paris business area: Greater Paris, the Ile-de-France region, the Parisian Basin, etc.

Anyone with a residence in this area or wishing to show their attachment to the region, as well as all legal entities with a location or activity in Paris or its region can apply for a .paris domain.

This bona fide link does not require any particular proof but will be checked regularly to avoid exploitation not allowed by the .paris registry policies: .paris registration policy

Any legal entity has the right to register a .paris domain name.

Any holder of a .paris domain name undertakes to comply with the .paris registry policy, which sets out the criteria for eligibility and use of a .paris domain name.

The .paris registry policy is available here.

You can check the availability of your domain name here.

The .paris registration policy sets out the criteria for eligibility and use of a .paris domain name. To meet the criteria, you must check that your :

– Is not a geographical name

– is not a name of a public authority or public service (the registration of these domain names is reserved for the said public authorities).

– Has not already been registered

– Either complies with the syntax rules specified in the registration policy

– not included in the list of reserved terms.

The City of Paris does not directly market .paris domain names. It sells .paris domain names to registrars at a single basic price of 29 euros (excl. VAT). The prices of the registrars depend on the associated services. For this reason, prices may vary from one registrar to another.

From an accredited registrar, the list of which is available during a domain name search on the Site.

The City of Paris, with its partners (AFNIC and CORE), acts as the registry for .paris, i.e. it keeps the list of registered domains up to date and defines the naming policy and the basic pricing on which registrars build their offers.

The registration of a domain name is not made directly with the City of Paris but with one of the accredited registrars for .paris.

Most of them offer an online form that allows you to provide all the necessary information for the registration of your request.

There is a charge for this service and the rate is freely set by the Registrar.

The Registration Policy sets out the terms and conditions governing the registration of .paris domain names.

In particular, it sets out the rules of eligibility, registration and use of a .paris domain name.

For more information, download this document.

The worldwide organisation of the domain name management system distinguishes between the technical and administrative management function of the registry (Registry), devolved for .paris to the City of Paris and its partners (Afnic/Core), and the marketing function, attributed to private companies: the Registrars. The latter are the exclusive intermediaries of the Registry managers. As a Registry, the City of Paris is not entitled to receive requests directly from individuals or organisations.

No, because the City of Paris has a duty of neutrality towards accredited Registrars. In order to help you in your search, the list of accredited Registrars is available when searching for a domain name.

Registration is the administrative procedure of filing the domain name with the registry manager, via a Registrar. Activation is a technical procedure that consists of informing the Internet servers (DNS) so that they can translate the domain name into an IP address (web server, electronic post office, file server, etc.).

The registration of a domain name in .paris is carried out, subject to validity, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, thanks to an automated service made available to Registrars by the City of Paris. It only takes a few minutes to register, protect and publish a domain name in the Whois directory. If immediate activation has been requested, it is carried out on average within an hour after validation of the registration. This procedure includes a technical check.

If you would like to report abuse that is contrary to the Registry's policies, please go to the Contact page.

You can also fill in this document and send it :

– By email: support@afnic.fr

– By post: Afnic - 1, rue Stephenson - 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux

Given the rules applicable to new gTLDs, as defined by ICANN, two conditions are necessary to become a .PARIS Registrar:

1) To be an ICANN-accredited registrar and to integrate its registration systems with those of .PARIS as operated by our technical partner (AFNIC/CORE).

2) Sign the Registry-Registrar contract for .PARIS.

The accreditation pack to become a ..paris is available on request at the bottom of the Registrars page.

A service that allows you to search registry databases to obtain information about a domain name or IP address. These public referencing databases publish the physical contacts associated with the domain name or IP address (administrative contact, technical contact, possibly billing). This administrative "Whois" database is not essential to the functioning of the Internet itself, but is practically available for all extensions. Its management method and the formats offered are very different depending on the case. It allows you to find and contact the people in charge of a domain name or address if necessary, particularly in the event of a dispute.

For more information please visit https://whois.icann.org

Reserved Term(s): Term(s) reserved for those whose registration and/or award is subject to special conditions linked to the identity and right of the applicant.

Download the list

Registrant: Entity (association, company, private individual...) that requests the registration of a domain name. To obtain a domain name, a registrant usually applies to a registrar (registrar) who in turn applies to a registry (database manager), such as the City of Paris.

A registrar is an organisation (ISP, host, internet service provider...) that provides, on a paid basis, the registration and hosting of domain names with the managers (called registries) for which it is accredited.

Not to be confused with : Register

Entity (association, company,...) in charge of managing the database of domain names of a TLD or IP addresses for a defined region.

Example: the City of Paris is the .paris registry.

The personal data disclosure request form allows you to ask the Afnic on behalf of the City of Paris to remove the anonymity of an individual domain name holder whose name and contact details are hidden and do not appear in the Whois directory.

The Afnic will analyse your request in the light of the reasons given and will inform you of the action taken on your request.

In the event of refusal, it will be up to you to use the other procedures provided for in the registration policy.

Link to the form

This document specifies the conditions under which DNSSEC are produced and deployed in the .paris zone, thus enabling all users to assess the level of security of the chain of trust in this zone.

It also presents the processes and infrastructures implemented for the security of the registry. For more information Download this document