Clay-related cracks in French homes: Readers share their experiences

Cracks appearing in walls, shifting foundations and costly repairs are becoming a growing concern for homeowners in France as prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall cause clay soils to shrink and swell.

The phenomenon, known as retrait-gonflement des argiles (RGA), can cause serious structural damage, but obtaining insurance compensation is not always straightforward.

Connexion readers share their experiences, from six-figure insurance settlements to rejected claims, lengthy delays and uncertainty over whether their homes are still moving.

‘Serious consequences’

James Fonseca bought his maison de maître in north-east Gers in 2002, unaware that the department was one of the areas most severely affected by clay shrinkage.

“After the canicule in 2003, there was significant movement in the east wall and internal south wall of the rear building. My commune was declared a disaster area and I contacted my insurer, but two years later an expert told me each crack would be treated separately and subject to an excess, making a claim uneconomic.

“I therefore paid a mason to reinforce the east wall with steel braces. This dealt with the immediate problem, but did not address the underlying movement of the building.

“There has been further movement over the winter of 2025-26. My mayor advised me to contact ADIL du Gers about a pilot scheme offering up to €15,000, depending on income, towards an expert assessment and repairs. I called the number provided, left a message and sent emails, but received no response.

“Given the scale of the problem and the cost of stabilising buildings, I believe the continuation of current weather patterns will have serious consequences for homeowners in the department.”

‘Insurer paid out €150,000’

There was better news for Keith Allen, from Aude.

When fine cracks appeared on the exterior walls of his home (pictured) and inside his bedroom in August 2022, his mairie successfully lobbied for the commune to be recognised as having suffered a natural disaster following the very dry summer.

“Our insurer sent experts during 2023 and 2024 to survey the damage and test our drains and the subsoil beneath the foundations. They found that our house was built on clay, which expands and contracts according to groundwater levels and was causing the cracks.

“The insurer eventually agreed to pay nearly €150,000 for remedial work. This included clearing the basement, injecting resin beneath the load-bearing walls, installing concrete areas around three sides of the house to prevent rainwater reaching the soil around the foundations, and inserting metal staples into the cracks to monitor further movement (pictured).

“The exterior work was completed in August 2025. If there is no further movement, the façades and affected bedroom will be re-rendered and redecorated. It has been a lengthy process, but the eventual settlement has allowed the necessary structural work to be carried out.”

‘The house has no foundations’

Lindsay Phillips has lived in an 18th-Century bastide in Lorgues, Var, since buying it in 1994. About three years ago, she noticed a large crack running from a window to the top corner of a wall.

“After Lorgues was declared a natural disaster zone, my insurer arranged several inspections, including drilling to establish the ground structure. This found rock beneath the north-east corner but more than 10 metres of clay beneath the south side.

“My house has no foundations of any kind. The exterior and internal load-bearing walls are about one metre thick, so the discovery of such a deep layer of clay beneath part of the property helped explain the movement.

“My insurer, Abeille, has agreed to a series of remedial works, which are due to begin this autumn.

“I am hoping these will stabilise the building and prevent the cracks from getting worse.”

‘C’est normal’

Last year, after his maire in Dordogne declared a catastrophe naturelle, Tony Benstead contacted his insurer about a crack that appeared inside and outside his thick stone wall.

“An expert came to assess it. Having looked at the cracks, he said ‘c’est normal’ and left. I was surprised that the assessment was so brief, particularly as the crack could be seen on both sides of the wall.

“I have no idea how bad cracks have to be before they can be repaired.”

‘I can’t tell if they’re getting worse’

Charlotte Sitterly moved to France only nine months ago but has already started seeing cracks (pictured) in her Pas-de-Calais home.

“I have not paid for an official diagnostic yet, as the cost seems too high. But you can see the problem in the ground. I am a gardener and this is the worst soil I have ever seen: pure clay.

“I accept that some cracks are normal, as the main part of the house is 126 years old. However, the worst ones are where the original building joins the newer parts, and I can see daylight through some. It is hard to tell if they are getting worse. But the weather has been extreme this year, and I am sure that has not helped.”

Have you been affected by clay soil cracks? Let us know at news@connexionfrance.com