List: The French communes that now ban wood-fired heating

Open fireplaces are banned in hundreds of French communes, with restrictions also being introduced for older wood-burning stoves and inserts. Lille is the latest major area to introduce a ban.

There is no nationwide ban on wood heating in France. Local rules mainly target open fireplaces and older, more polluting appliances.

Where are open fires banned?

The main areas with restrictions are:

• Lille: open fireplaces will be banned from November 1, 2026 in all 95 communes of the Métropole Européenne de Lille. The ban applies to main and supplementary heating. Modern closed fireplaces, inserts and wood-burning stoves are not affected.

• Lyon: open fireplaces have been banned since April 1, 2026 across the 166 communes covered by the Lyon air protection plan. Wood-burning appliances manufactured before 2002 will be banned from April 2028.

• Isère: open fireplaces are banned across 297 communes, although the rules differ between areas. The latest 174 communes were added from January 1, 2026. Older appliances are also being phased out.

• Saint-Etienne: open fireplaces have been banned since April 1, 2025 in 58 communes: 53 in Saint-Etienne Métropole and five in Loire-Forez.

• Vallée de l'Arve: open wood-burning fireplaces have been banned since January 1, 2022 in 41 communes in Haute-Savoie, including when used for supplementary or decorative heating.

• Strasbourg: restrictions cover open fireplaces and older wood-burning appliances in the 33 communes of the Eurométropole.

• Ile-de-France: open fireplaces cannot be used as a property's main heating source. Supplementary and recreational use remains permitted, subject to pollution-episode restrictions.

Where are wood-burning stoves banned?

Most bans relate to open fireplaces, not modern wood-burning stoves.

However, some areas are also banning older appliances. In parts of Isère, wood-burning stoves and inserts installed before 2002 are already prohibited or are being phased out. Similar restrictions apply in other air-protection areas.

Modern, efficient wood-burning appliances generally remain permitted, although local rules should be checked.

Are there fines?

There is no single national fine for using a prohibited fireplace. Penalties depend on the local order and the legal basis for the restriction.

Homeowners should check with their mairie or prefecture before using an open fireplace.

Isère: 173 communes affected from January 1, 2026