When and at what times can you mow your lawn in France?

Reader Question: Are there any days or times when you are not allowed to mow your lawn in France, such as early on Sunday morning?

In France, carrying out garden work such as mowing a lawn is subject to various rules, and ignoring them could, in theory, result in a fine.

You are allowed to cut the grass in your garden from Monday to Friday between:

• 08:30 and 12:00
• 14:00 and 19:30

and on Saturday from:

• 09:00 to 12:00
• 15:00 to 19:00

You are also allowed to mow your lawn on Sundays and public holidays but only between 10:00 and 12:00.

These times were decided by a 1992 law and are designed to avoid unnecessary noise pollution.

“For daytime and nighttime noise alike, the authorities can sanction people with a fine of €68,” the law states.

However, this fine can be increased to €450 if the matter reaches the courts.

It may also be useful to check if there are any local rules in place regarding mowing your lawn.

French mayors can issue municipal decrees banning such operations at certain times to avoid neighbourhood disturbances.

If you live in a copropriété, you should ask your syndic for the building rules. If there are restrictions in place and you ignore them, your neighbours can demand action from the syndic.

France’s rules on cutting grass and other such noisy operations are stricter than in the UK, for example, where it is generally accepted that you should not mow your lawn at night, but can do so at any time of the day or evening.

You can read more about the bans in our other article on the matter, including the rules on public holidays, here.

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