Chimney use set to be banned in 690 French communes
Open fires are considered to be some of the worst air polluters
Even some wood-burning stoves will be affected by bans, with more areas concerned in coming years
Korinnna/Shutterstock
Bans on open fireplaces in homes are set to be in place in around 690 communes nationwide by the end of 2026, with some wood-burning stoves also affected in certain areas.
Increasing numbers of municipalities are putting in place fireplace bans, or in some cases have already banned them, due to the air pollution they cause.
They are considered to contribute to climate change as well as to rising levels of fine particle pollution, which can cause health and respiratory problems.
Types of fires banned
The type of ban varies depending on the department and/or commune but in most cases only actual open fireplaces are concerned.
However, some parts of Isère are beginning to ban older wood-burning stoves and fireplace inserts dating from before 2002.
Examples of areas with open fireplace bans include the following:
The department of Haute-Savoie banned “all open wood-burning heating devices, including for back-up heating or for ambiance” in 41 communes in the Vallée de l’Arve, as part of its Plan de protection de l’atmosphère (PPA, see the complete list here)
Lyon initially applied a ban in the 58 municipalities of the métropole and is extending this to the surrounding areas (a total of 166).
Grenoble Alpes. A PPA with here has covered 123 municipalities since October 2024, and was extended to all 297 municipalities in the area from January 1 (see the full list here).
The Saint-Étienne and Forez areas have implemented similar measures for 53 municipalities in the main urban area and five communes in the wider Saint-Etienne basin (see the list here) since April 2025. A further ban is now set to be extended to 140 more municipalities this year.
In the Strasbourg area, a ban has been in place in 33 municipalities since the end of the first quarter of 2025.
In the wider Lille area, restrictions are set to come into force across 95 communes from November 1, 2026.
Paris and the Île-de-France region had intended to ban fireplaces completely from 2015, but just one year later, the decision was reversed.
Bans there now extend only to the use of fireplaces as a property’s main source of heating, in 435 comunes of Ile-de-France (see the full list). Fireplaces used for extra back-up heating or for 'ambiance' are still allowed.
Penalties
Penalties for non-compliance can be strict, with fines of €450 in many municipalities and as high as €1,500 in Lille. Fines can double in the event of a repeat offence.
Open fireplaces are considered to be some of the worst polluters when it comes to air pollution, with fine particle emission up to 10 times’ greater than that from a modern appliance.
In increasing number of bans are expected to come into force by 2030 with regard to wood-burning stoves and other 'closed-hearth' installations dating from before 2002.
How do I know what the rules are in my area?
The best thing to do is to check with your local mairie. Rules tend to be stricter in urban areas but some rural areas also have precise rules if they are close to a dense forest, for example.
Other rules may also apply, particularly when it comes to the maintenance of fireplaces, to ensure safety.
For example, for chimneys, legislation introduced in 2023 requires them to be cleaned at least once per year, more in certain cases if requested by local authorities or your insurance provider.
You can check cleaning rules with local sweeps (ramoneurs), and your insurance company.
There are also different rules for chimeneas (cheminée d'extérieur) or fire pits (brasero) in private gardens. Typically, these are allowed – while open fires are not – because they are considered controlled. However, their use is normally not allowed if placed on a balcony.
It is not permitted to burn rubbish in an open fire in your garden in France.
