A total of 72 teams competed in the league with seven clubs suffering relegation to the fifth division, the Championnat de France amateur 2.
All non-reserve clubs that secured league status for the season were subject to approval by the DNCG before becoming eligible to participate in the competition.
[7] On 24 June 2011, Pacy Vallée-d'Eure officials confirmed in a press conference that it would accept its relegation to the fourth division in an effort to smooth over its €350,000 debt into next year.
[8] Two weeks later, on 4 July, Grenoble confirmed on its website that the Appeals Board of the DNCG had informed club officials that it will be relegated to the fourth division.
[9] Grenoble, subsequently, entered liquidation on 7 July, which made the club unable to participate in the CFA.