Article R733-4 of the French Code governing the entry and residence of foreign nationals and the right of asylum
The administrative authority competent to have the foreign national taken to the consular authorities pursuant to article L. 733-6 and to refer the matter to the juge des libertés et de la détention for the purpose of requesting police services or gendarmerie units pursuant to article L. 733-7 is the préfet de département and, in Paris, the préfet de police.