Five things they don't tell you about wood fires in France
There are various types of logs you can purchase, but you must be careful about sourcing your own from woodlands
Get permission before you gather kindling for your camp fire
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La cheminée
The romance of sitting round an open fire is rarely found these days. A wood/pellet burning stove is so much cleaner and more efficient.
But you can Google 'restaurants au feu du cheminée' for special occasions when you want to 'rester au coin du feu'. Comme au bon vieux temps!
Couper du bois
It is generally considered that wood warms you twice; once when you cut it and once when you burn it.
In early autumn shops are packed with new gizmos and gadgets designed to take the sweat out of the process, but you may still have to stack it depending on what kind you buy. Bon courage!
Le petit bois
It is illegal to gather kindling in the woods, whether they are privately or publicly owned. It is considered as theft because dead twigs are part of a healthy bio-diverse ecosystem. On the other hand, if the landowner gives you permission to gather kindling, fill your boots. Allez-y!
Read more: Can firewood be gathered in forests to heat French homes?
Le stère
In theory firewood is sold in stères, which officially means a cubic metre of logs all exactly one metre long, neatly stacked all in the same direction. In practice, many suppliers just dump an untidy pile of firewood in your drive for you to stack as and when. Chouette!
Les bûches compressées
Compressed logs, made from off-cuts and sawdust left over from commercial manufacturing, are sold by the pallet and are often very cost-effective. Uniform, they give off a steady heat and are sold dry and ready to burn, making them a convenient option. No splitting, no stacking. Très commode!
Read more: What are the rules for wood-burning stoves in France?
