Why are porn sites no longer accessible in France?

This is a news item that has raised quite a few questions in recent months: the main pornographic websites are no longer freely accessible in France. The 17 largest distributors of adult content have seen their access restricted, or even completely prohibited, since June 2025, following a ministerial decree.

Among those who dare to speak out on the subject, different opinions are heard: "It's about time!" or "Has masturbation become illegal?" or "Is porn really the problem?". In short, the subject is a subject of debate.

Why are adult websites no longer accessible in France? What to make of this rather radical measure? What are the alternatives for enjoying oneself legally ?
We help you see a little more clearly through all this media chaos.

France and pornography in figures

We won't keep you in suspense any longer: the French are very heavy consumers of pornography. In its annual report published in 2024, a giant in the adult industry ranked France second in the world for the number of monthly connections . The French are quite efficient; each connection lasts less than 10 minutes (a far cry from slow sex and Sensate Focus , but still).

The French's favorite day to masturbate? Monday, between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. And women are no exception! They represent 38% of pornography consumers worldwide. (The public authority regulating audiovisual communication enacted a law on July 30, 2020 , formally prohibiting minors from accessing adult websites .)

This decision is part of the government's ongoing fight against domestic violence . The link? Adult websites offer a very wide range of content, some of which is particularly violent. Sexuality is often portrayed in a caricatured way: exacerbated power dynamics, questionable or even nonexistent consent, and an escalation of extreme practices.

All of this is causing serious damage to our teenage girls and boys, at a time when they are still asking themselves a thousand and one questions about their bodies, their sexuality, their gender, their relationships with others… And despite the abundance of problematic videos, the number of minors who visit porn sites has increased by 36% in the last 5 years.

Adult websites: why are they no longer accessible in France?

What are the dangers of pornography for our teenagers?

If you've ever visited an adult website , you know how easy it is to access, regardless of your age. All you have to do is click the "I'm over 18" button to find a wide range of content, from the most explicit to the most exotic, even downright disturbing.

Please note, once again, we are not blaming porn! It's a great medium to stimulate your libido and explore your fantasies… as long as you are of legal age and use a little critical thinking.

The problem is that over 2 million minors visit these sites in France every month. Not only are they not necessarily ready to be confronted with extreme content, but some teenagers use porn as a learning tool . And that causes serious damage to their privacy and to society.

Several levers could be used to protect them: putting in place a REAL sex education program in schools , and of course, restricting their access to the most explicit sites.

Pornography: A long legal battle to protect minors

After several months of a legal and administrative battle, the details of which we will spare you, the government offered two choices to adult websites:

• Add strict security and verification measures in France to block access for minors (identity card verification for example).

• In case of refusal, completely suspend the distribution of their content in France.

You can guess what happened next. In an official press release dated July 15, 2025, Clara Chappaz, the Minister Delegate for AI and Digital Affairs, welcomed this measure: “ protecting our children cannot wait .”

Today, the government expects concrete measures to verify age and restrict access to pornographic websites for minors . Without these measures, these platforms will not be reinstated in the country and will also be subject to financial penalties from Arcom.

The United States, the largest consumer of pornography, also adopted a similar law in the wake of this to impose additional control measures.

What other measures are there to protect children from adult content?

You know our young people: some are real tech whizzes and have already found a way (more or less legal) to circumvent government restrictions. If you want to protect a minor you know , here are some solutions:

• Good old parental control which you can of course customize according to the child's age (filtered sites, connection times, limited applications, etc.).

• From the teen's phone, you can also filter the sites he or she is allowed to access (a kind of parental control built into the device).

• Use secure browsers that automatically restrict access to certain sites (and as a bonus, are also more environmentally friendly)

• Communication is key: there's nothing better than a good conversation about consent to raise awareness about the porn industry. Admittedly, it's not necessarily the easiest discussion to start, but it's essential for educating teens. They also need to understand why you restrict their access to adult content: a teen who doesn't understand the purpose of a rule won't follow it.

Limiting access to porn sites is not a punitive restriction: it is a protective and educational measure.

Is it possible to feel good without porn sites?

Does ethical porn exist?

Yes! If you (and/or your partner) still want to consume pornographic content , turn to feminist and ethical productions .

What's the difference between this and regular porn?

• Consent is respected and validated for each scene.

• We move away from the male gaze to allow more space for female pleasure .

• We are also breaking free from all the standards associated with mainstream porn (hairless women, overacted scenes, violent relationships) to offer content that is more faithful to reality.

• Actors and service providers are better paid, which creates a virtuous circle.

Producers of feminist porn often surround themselves with one or more intimacy coordinators . They are present on the set to ensure that no scene or practice is carried out without the explicit consent of all the actors.

“ The intimacy coordinator is a multidisciplinary professional who supports the director and performers in the creation of intimate scenes (such as nudity, simulated sexuality, sexual violence, or more broadly, anything involving explicit or intimate content). Their role is not to censor or act as a morality police, but to ensure that performers feel safe by having been able to express their boundaries and clearly give their consent throughout the creative process. ” Monia Aït El, Intimacy Coordinator

If you know where to find ethical content, check out the work of two personalities we love at Puissante:

1. Ovidie : Author, writer, director, journalist, and committed actress, she has directed some very beautiful feminist porn and documentaries on the subject. She describes herself as a "pro-sex" feminist: we love it.

2. Ben Névert : A podcaster and outspoken influencer, he is known for his feminist stances and authenticity. In collaboration with Dorcel, he produced his first ethical porn film in 2023, which is still available online.

Erotic audio is in vogue

Have you ever considered erotic audio ? If you think the sounds aren't powerful enough to stimulate you, think again. Erotic audio activates your imagination and gives full rein to your sensations and feelings.

Since sight isn't stimulated, your other senses are fully engaged and dedicated to your pleasure . Try erotic audio once and you'll be hooked.

There are already about ten platforms that offer great content for all tastes: Voxx , Femtasy and Colette se Confesse , among others!

Erotic novels: where to begin?

Don't underestimate the power of erotic novels . A good book creates the perfect encounter between your fantasies, your libido, and a steamy scenario.

To start gently, you can read the famous Bridgerton series ; some passages are quite spicy! You can then venture into the timeless 50 Shades of Grey and finish with 21 Days a Week , a much more explicit novel that explores sexuality through the lens of polyamory.

Turn on a dim light, equip yourself with your best vibrator And let yourself be surprised by the power of your imagination. We promise you'll have a memorable evening.

You're up-to-date on the latest porn news in France!

Adult films remain an excellent resource for exploring your fantasies and stimulating your libido. If you're a fan, don't neglect your critical thinking. Are you considering incorporating this content into your relationship?

We're far from demonizing porn. We often say it here at Puissante: there's nothing wrong with feeling good. The problem is that when you look a little closer at the profiles of consumers, you realize that a good number of them are minors.
From the age of 12, nearly one in two boys visits these sites at least once a month. This figure rises to two-thirds of boys from the age of 16. And that's not legal. Arcom