General Info

France has two main Permaculture organisations, The French Permaculture Association and L'Université Populaire de Permaculture.

Using the permaculture principal of using the best and improving the rest the design for Permaculture organisations in France is based on existing and durable French models. The Université Populaire are such examples, the model has existed for over a century and they are dedicated to the task of sharing knowledge. The Université Populaire de Permaculture now organises and helps projects with stting up and running Introductory courses, Certified Permaculture design courses, Diplôma accreditation and Les Compagnons de Permaculture which is again based on a French model, one which has existed since the 16th century, organising apprentices and masters into what people today call a chaordic structure..

Introductory events

These can be led by anyone who has completed a PDC, they are based around the subject matter of the first chapters of the syllabus. Students who have completed these courses have a 2 day credit towards the PDC.

Permaculture Design Courses 

These are led by those who have gained their Diploma of Permaculture Design. The courses are of a minimum of 2 weeks and preferably around a middle weekend which is less intensive, relaxation, site visits, design project orientated. On presentation of a design project of sufficient quality at the end of the course students can be awarded a Certificate of permaculture design. With this they can refer to themselves as Permaculteurs apprentis, lead cours d'initiation, pass on to the Diploma system, attend the in-house parts of the French, European and International Conferences. 

There is a second PDC model which is 6 two day courses, again leading to a Certificate if the required standard is met. 

Eventually these courses will be free with teachers paid through the Université. Initially this will be through funding that is currently being sought but in the longer term through Dana from PmC projects and from the abundance created by the resource infrastructure that will be developed and run by the Université (similar to the Hospice de Beaumes system)