Before buying an "étang"

The law is different according to the type of « étang » bought.

There are 4 types of étang :

•  « étang fondé en titre » ie which have a deed and including those created before April 15, 1829 ( mentionned on the Cassini map or atlas Dieu préfet)
•  « enclos piscicoles or piscicultures à valorisation touristique » where there is fish for touristic purpose ie authorised by  an « arrêté prefectoral » valid for 30 years 
• « eaux closes » ie closed water which means no permanent communication with a river, the fish cannot go to or from the étang to a river( small or big)
•  « eau libre » free water , permanent communication between river and étang

It is not useless to make a survey for an etang before the sale. The laws are very strict.