Digitising old photos in France and Belgium: prices
· 2 min read · The Memory Palace Team
If your family's photos are in France or Belgium, or you live there, this short guide gives the resolution the French culture ministry advises and verified prices from three local services. For the full method comparison, read our guide old photos, slides and negatives: scan, phone or service.
Last checked: 6 October 2026.
The short answer
Scan prints at 600 dpi, keep a TIFF master and a JPEG copy for sharing, and use a service for hundreds of slides or negatives.
Resolution, according to the French culture ministry
The BnF guide on preservation copies, published by the French ministry of culture, advises 300 or 400 dpi for most documents, 600 dpi or more for documents smaller than A6, and up to 800 or 1,200 dpi for very small formats. Most family prints are around A6 or smaller, so 600 dpi is the safe choice.
Three services in France and Belgium
| Service | Prints | 35 mm slides | 35 mm negatives | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOP DISC (Paris) | €0.90 for 2 to 100, €0.50 above 600 | €0.75 for 2 to 100, €0.35 above 600 | €0.75 for 2 to 100, €0.35 above 600 | Slides and negatives at 1,800 dpi by default; minimum invoice €42 |
| France Numérisation (near Bordeaux) | Not stated on this page | From €0.22 | From €0.22 | About 3000 x 2000 pixels at 2,400 dpi, JPEG by default, TIFF optional; minimum €29.99 plus €8 handling |
| DigiDat (Lummen, Belgium) | Not stated on this page | €0.24 at 1,400 dpi, €0.36 at 4,500 dpi (up to 100) | Not stated on this page | JPG; minimum order €25 plus €10 admin fee; postage €10 in Belgium |
Last checked: 6 October 2026. Prices including VAT as shown by each service.
Afterwards
Start file names with the year, write down who is in each photo, keep three copies with one outside the house, and keep the originals. A damaged photo can then be restored free, without an account, with the result clearly labelled as restored with AI.
Sources
- Ministère de la Culture (BnF), La reproduction de sauvegarde des documents patrimoniaux: culture.gouv.fr/Media/medias-creation-rapide/La-reproduction-de-sauvegarde-numerisation.pdf
- TOP DISC, tarifs numérisation de diapos et photos: topdisc.fr/nos-tarifs/tarifs-numerisation-de-diapos-et-photos
- France Numérisation, numériser des diapositives: francenumerisation.com/nos-prestations/numeriser-diapositives
- DigiDat, tarifs diapositives: digidat.be/pmain/diapositives-tarifs.htm
- DigiDat, contact: digidat.be/pmain/contact-fr.htm
- Google PhotoScan, Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos.scanner
Questions people ask
What resolution does the French culture ministry advise?
The BnF guide it publishes advises 300 or 400 dpi for most documents, 600 dpi or more for documents smaller than A6, and names TIFF and JPEG2000 as reference preservation formats.
How much does slide scanning cost in France?
On 6 October 2026, France Numérisation listed slides from €0.22 with a €29.99 minimum plus €8 handling, and TOP DISC in Paris €0.75 for 2 to 100 with a €42 minimum.
Is there a slide scanning service in Belgium?
Yes. DigiDat in Lummen listed €0.24 a slide at 1,400 dpi and €0.36 at 4,500 dpi for up to 100, with a €25 minimum, a €10 admin fee and €10 postage in Belgium.
Should I keep the originals?
Yes. Keep them cool, dry and dark, in album order, which often helps to date the photos.
Can I scan photos with my phone?
For viewing and sharing, yes. Google's free PhotoScan app combines several shots to remove glare. For restoration or enlarging, a scanner is better.
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