Abstract
The water policy in France is based on the watershed management since 1964. The French government has yet found the limits of regulation and legislation. Therefore, the Ministry of the Environment has developed the river contracts in 1981. The contracts extend the “operations clean rivers” (1970). These are voluntary programs that last from 5 to 7 years. They are made across the watershed. Their main objective is the fight against pollution. They also intended to reduce flooding and improve the management of banks and structures (dams, locks, etc.). In theory, the river contracts are based on public participation and consultation between the various water users. The procedure has evolved significantly since its establishment. Today, local politicians are the real architects of the policies of local water. The river contracts are not conclusive in environmental and they remain legally ambiguous.