What you risk if you make too much noise at your French home

Being classed as the ‘noisy’ neighbour in France can do far more than simply lead you to have a bad reputation with the local community. 

Disputes around heightened noise levels are common in France, both in urban and rural areas and there is dedicated legislation to the matter. 

In particular, article R1334-31 of France’s health code states that “no particular noise must, by its duration, repetition or intensity, be detrimental to the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood,” 

Below, we review the rules. 

What counts as a disturbance?

The above section of the health code relates to all possible sounds, including from children, pets, noise related to works and renovations, and leisure activities. 

There are no limits relating to the actual loudness of the sound (in decibel limits) but rather how much it disturbs the local area and deviates from the norm. 

Sounds such as children playing in a garden, light general DIY work, and other such natural noises are all seen as part and parcel of the landscapes, and themselves alone are not enough for a valid noise complaint to be levelled against you. 

In addition, noises are matched to the local area – for example, noises are generally more tolerated in busy urban areas, and in rural lands, the noise of farm animals is unlikely to be seen as a disturbance.

However, if a noise is unnatural, starts punctually and remains consistently high (such as a party) or is repetitive (a dog barking several times or an electric saw being used throughout the day), these are all grounds for complaint. 

Remember that the allowance times for certain noises (such as mowing lawns, DIY, etc) are shorter during weekends and public holidays. 

Ultimately, it is up to your neighbour to judge, and authorities to agree, if a noise is classed as a disturbance. 

Note that at night (between 22:00 and 07:00) rules are much stricter ad covered by article R-623-2 of the French Penal Code

The mere fact of making loud noises – they do not have to be repetitive, unnatural, or ongoing – between these hours can lead to a fine of €68. 

Common sense is employed however – you are not going to receive a fine for waking up in the middle of the night and accidentally making a loud noise by knocking over a vase, but may if you are having a late-night party. 

Steps your neighbour must follow 

In the event of a disturbance hopefully a neighbour will contact you first, discussing their issue with the noise and asking politely for you to lower / prevent it from happening again. 

They may also send you a registered letter (lettre recommandée avec avis de réception) as proof they asked you to lower the noise.

If you refuse, or if they believe your efforts do not go far enough, they must then try to solve it amicably. 

They can contact a conciliateur de justice, who will try and reach an amicable solution between you, or they can contact the mairie. 

They may also contact local police or gendarmes to help prove evidence of the loud noise, with authorities being able to fine you for the disturbance. A standard fine is €68, but can reach up to €450 in some circumstances.

They may also contact a commissaire de justice (bailiff) to do this.

Your neighbour can only take you to court if these prior steps have been followed, most crucially the attempt to find an amicable solution. If this has not been done a judge is likely to dismiss the case. 

If the court rules against you, you may have to cover court fees as well as damages. 

Read more: How to settle neighbourhood disputes in France