Can my neighbour park outside of my house in France?

Problems between neighbours can tarnish a living situation, both at main and secondary residences. 

While there are no shortage of reasons for these disputes, a common issue that arises is related to where vehicles on your street are parked. 

Particularly in areas where there are no garages in homes or driveways are smaller, you may find a neighbour parking in front of your property. 

Below, we look at what you can do to resolve the issue. 

Check your neighbour’s – and your – parking is legal 

The most important step is to check whether your neighbour has the right to park on the road in front of your property, to ensure you are in the right. 

French law is clear – the road outside of your home is public property, and it can be used by anyone. 

If there are no designated parking spaces along the road, drivers are free to park where they wish along the road and they are not limited to parking outside their own house. 

Their parking is of course subject to the usual conditions such as their vehicle not blocking other road users or being parked in a dangerous location, being clearly visible and being parked in the direction of traffic.

The vehicle must be fully on the road, however (see below about parking on pavements).

However, Article R417-10 of the Code de la route (French road safety laws) states that parking directly in front of a driveway (entrée carrossable or entrée charretière) is prohibited. 

Usually denoted by a drop in the curb, your ‘driveway’ can also be the entrance to your garage, the double gate leading into your front garden, or if you live in a complex, the shared entrance to the garage.

Note that this applies to all drivers, including the person who owns the property attached to the driveway. 

Parking in this prohibited area can result in a €35 fine. 

Can vehicles park on pavements?

In general, parking on a pavement anywhere alongside a road is also illegal – as stated in Article R417-11 of the Code de la route – and can result in a €135 fine. 

However, in areas where it is clearly designated by markings on the grounds, vehicles can part-park on a pavement (with two wheels on the pavement and two wheels on the road).

Local authorities can pass decrees allowing vehicles to park on the pavement, however this is uncommon and based on traffic in the area – you can check with your mairie to see if such a decree has been passed in your area.

What to do if your neighbour is parking illegally 

If your neighbour is parking illegally in front of your driveway or property (according to the rules above), the first step is to try and discuss the topic with them. 

Inform them of the issue, and then the law, to see if they will move the vehicle and park in a legal spot. 

If they do not, you can call the local police, who can issue a parking ticket – unlike other neighbourly disputes, you do not need to attempt an amicable solution to the dispute. 

Note that if a car remains parked in public for more than seven days without being moved, it can be impounded.