ABSTRACT
Since 1946, prostitution in France has been legal but unregulated; soliciting and procuring (proxénétisme) are, however, illegal. The former can elicit a nominal fine; the latter can be punished with heavy fines and imprisonment, particularly if underage women are involved. The rue St-Denis, in Paris, is certainly France’s most notorious quartier chaud (redlight district). Currently, however, its status as such is threatened by council policy aimed at removing putes from the centre of Paris.
