French authorities have passed new legislation which is being labelled 'anti-rave'. 

The Senate gave approval to the new regulations late last night, Tuesday 22nd October. The aim is to "strengthen the supervision of rave parties and sanctions against their organisers". 

From here, the National Assembly will make the final decision as to whether the proposals should be enshrined in French law. 

Trax Magazine reports the rules would include a requirement for any gatherings of 500 or less people to be 'declared' to the local mayor's office no later than one month in advance. Noise levels and administrative deadlines will also be tightened, with equipment seizure and up to $3,750 in fines handed out to promoters who do not comply. 

Many see this hardline approach as the latest development in France's increasingly hostile attitude towards party culture, in part catalysed by overdoses and one death relating to drugs GBL and GHB in Paris, which police issued warnings about last year. More recently authorities in the capital forced the closure of Dehors Brut, the venue that sprang from the ashes of Concrete, although this has subsequently re-opened. 

Critics have understandably referenced the introduction of the Criminal Justice Act in the UK during the 1990s, which succeeded criminalising similar activities for which licensing has not been secured.

Read our feature on the relationship between politics and dance music or dive into the techno scene in France's third city, Lyon.