Frequently asked questions

WHOIS (from “Who is?”) is a service that allows users to search registry databases to obtain information about a domain name or an IP address.

These publicly accessible databases provide information associated with a domain name or IP address, including administrative, technical, and, where applicable, billing contacts.

Although the WHOIS database is not essential to the technical functioning of the Internet, it is widely available for most domain extensions. Its structure, format, and management vary depending on the registry.

WHOIS makes it possible to identify and contact the party responsible for a domain name or IP address when necessary, particularly in the event of a dispute.

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

For domain name holders who are individuals, certain personal data may be masked in the WHOIS directory to protect privacy.

A data disclosure request form allows you to request that Afnic, on behalf of the City of Paris, review a request to disclose the identity and contact information of an individual holder whose details are hidden in the WHOIS directory.

Afnic will assess your request based on the reasons provided and inform you of its decision.

If your request is denied, you may pursue the alternative procedures provided for in the .paris registration policy.

Link to the form.

This document outlines the conditions for the production and deployment of DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) for the .paris domain zone, enabling users to assess the level of security provided by the chain of trust.

It also describes the procedures and infrastructure implemented to ensure registry security.

For more information, you can download the document.

If you wish to report conduct that violates registry policies, you may submit a report using the contact form available here.

You may also complete the dedicated reporting form and send it by email to: support@afnic.fr

A domain name is a combination of characters or string of characters used to identify a website or a server on the internet. Each domain name is unique, and can only be registered by one holder at a time, following the first come, first served principle. 

For example: bienvenue.paris.

Every internet address ends with an extension, also known as a domain extension or top-level domain (TLD), such as .fr, .com, .org, or .net.

In 2013, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) approved the City of Paris’s application to operate a new geographic domain extension: .paris.

Today, .paris is a domain name extension managed by the City of Paris.

Paris is one of the world’s most recognized and influential brands. Beyond the prestige and image associated with the City of Paris, .paris creates a distinctive digital identity and opens up new opportunities, including:

• Economic development: By offering a locally focused domain extension, .paris reduces competition for highly sought-after domain names and gives local businesses and organizations greater opportunities to strengthen their online presence and visibility while showcasing their expertise and excellence.
• New local digital services: .paris creates opportunities to rethink the use of high-value generic domain names, encouraging innovation and enabling the development of new digital services and local initiatives.

To register and renew a .paris domain name, you must be an individual or legal entity with a good-faith connection to the Paris region at the time of registration and throughout the lifetime of the domain name.

In practice, you must be able to demonstrate that:

• you reside in the Paris region; or
• you carry out personal, commercial, cultural, or other activities in the Paris region; or
• you can justify any other direct or indirect connection to the Paris region.

This good-faith connection does not require specific proof at the time of registration. However, it may be subject to verification to ensure compliance with .paris Registration Policy.

The .paris registry policy (or registration policy) sets out the conditions governing the registration and use of .paris domain names.

It defines, in particular, the eligibility requirements as well as the rules governing the registration and use of a .paris domain name.

For more information, you can consult and download the policy document.

Any legal entity, whether French or foreign, may apply to register a .paris domain name, provided that it can demonstrate a good-faith connection to the Paris region, in accordance with the .paris registration policy.

Any holder of a .paris domain name agrees to comply with the .paris registration policy, which sets out the eligibility and usage requirements for a .paris domain name.

The .paris registration policy is available here.

The .paris registration policy sets out the eligibility and usage requirements for a .paris domain name. To comply with these requirements, you must ensure that your domain name:

• is not a reserved or protected geographical name;
• is not the name of a public authority or public service (registration of these domain names is reserved for the relevant public authorities);
• is available for registration;
• complies with the syntactic rules specified in the registration policy;
• is not included in the list of reserved terms.

A reserved term is a word or expression whose registration and/or use is subject to specific conditions related to the identity, eligibility, or rights of the applicant.

The list of reserved terms is available for download.

You can check the availability of a .paris domain name using the WHOIS search tool available here.

Domain names are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

A .paris domain name cannot be registered directly with the City of Paris. Registration must be completed through one of the accredited .paris registrars.

Most registrars offer an online form through which you can submit the information required to register your domain name.

This is a paid service, and pricing is determined independently by each registrar.

No. The City of Paris has a duty of neutrality toward accredited registrars and therefore cannot recommend a specific provider.

To help you in your search, a list of accredited registrars is available during the domain name search process.

The City of Paris does not sell .paris domain names directly. It applies a standard base fee of €32 excluding tax (excl. VAT) to accredited registrars.

The final price charged to registrants depends on the services offered by each registrar. As a result, prices may vary from one registrar to another.

Registration is the administrative process of registering a domain name with the registry through an accredited registrar. It includes the publication of information relating to the domain name in the WHOIS directory.

Activation is the technical process of configuring name servers to enable publication in the DNS (Domain Name System). In most cases, registrars process registration and activation requests simultaneously.

Subject to eligibility and validation requirements, .paris domain names can be registered 24/7 through an automated service provided by the City of Paris to accredited registrars.

Registration, protection, and publication of a domain name in the WHOIS directory generally take only a few minutes.

If immediate activation is requested, the domain name is generally activated within one hour following registration validation.

A domain name holder (or registrant) is the individual or legal entity (such as an association, company, or private individual) that registers a domain name.

To obtain a domain name, the registrant typically works through an accredited registrar, which in turn communicates with the registry, the entity responsible for managing the domain name database, such as the City of Paris for .paris.

The registrant holds the rights and responsibilities associated with the domain name they have registered.

A registrar is an accredited organization (such as an internet service provider, hosting provider, or domain name company) that enables the registration and management of domain names on behalf of registrants with the relevant registries.

Some registrars also provide additional services, such as web hosting, email services, or website management.

Not to be confused with: Registry

A registry is the organization responsible for managing a top-level domain (TLD), including its database and registration policies.

For example, the City of Paris is the registry for the .paris domain extension.

You can register a .paris domain name through an accredited registrar. A list of accredited registrars is available during the domain name search process on the website.

As the registry for .paris, the City of Paris defines the registration rules and base pricing and oversees registry operations in partnership with Afnic.

The global domain name system separates the registry function from the commercial registration function.

For .paris, the City of Paris and its technical partner, Afnic, are responsible for the technical and administrative management of the registry. The commercial registration of domain names, however, is handled exclusively by accredited private companies known as registrars.

As the registry operator, the City of Paris cannot process registration requests directly from individuals or organizations.

Under the rules governing generic top-level domains (gTLDs), as defined by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), two conditions must be met to become a .paris registrar:

1. Be accredited by ICANN as a registrar and integrate your registration systems with those of .paris, operated by Afnic.
2. Sign the .paris Registry-Registrar Agreement by contacting us directly.