Drought

Tap water cut for 16 hours a day due to drought in south of France village

Local businesses and holidaymakers say restrictions make it too difficult to stay in area

300 French communes declared disaster zones for floods and drought

The declaration means catastrophe naturelle insurance funds can be unlocked

French Senate rejects drought damage bill

Proposal to ease claims for drought-related property damage thrown out, leaving millions at risk

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First water restrictions of 2024 in two departments of south-west France

High temperatures and a lack of rainfall have caused water levels to drop

Why are water mega-reservoirs the cause of so much tension in France?

Controversy has erupted again ahead of major planned protests this weekend, with 3,000 police on alert

Why have olive oil prices shot up in France? How long will it last?

A supermarket bottle of the ‘liquid gold’ can now cost up to €10 or more

‘Tiny swimming pools’ catch on in France as easier and cheaper option

Smaller pools are not subject to same regulations as larger conventional ones

How do I see if any drought rules are affecting my French home?

Restrictions can greatly impact the use of water

Tap water fees for homes to be seasonal in Toulouse

The ‘innovative’ measure will see prices rise 42% in summer; critics say it is unfair

How to wake up your swimming pool when temperatures get warmer

We look at the different steps you need to take to get your pool ready for the warmer days ahead

Wet winter eases France’s water crisis but south logs record drought

Stark regional differences in rainfall and a leaky pipe network leave some areas at risk of drought this summer

Crisis level for drought already in place in areas of south of France

Restrictions already place limits on filling pools and cleaning cars

Can planning permission be rejected in France due to water shortages?

Some communes have tried to ban new building work to protect supplies

Several villages in south of France without tap water due to drought

40 communes are now under surveillance and could run out of water at any moment. It is the first time this has happened in winter

Record rain refills water table in France but issues remain for 2024

As of December 1, rainfall had refilled almost half to ‘above-average’ levels for the season

More French communes declared as 2022 drought natural disaster zones

People affected now have one month to declare any property damage to their insurer

Court cancels two water ‘megabasin’ projects in western France

The controversial reservoirs were ‘not associated with any real water-saving measures,’ it ruled

More ‘crisis’ level drought alerts in France, water reserves stay low

Residents are asked to check if and what restrictions apply to them

Visit: stunning dry garden in Aude wakes up like spring in Autumn

Two horticulturists experimented with minimal watering and created a beautiful garden packed full of the toughest plants

Part of Brittany put on drought alert, residents asked to save water

It comes after a significant lack of rainfall over the summer

Why peanuts and pistachios are the future of French farming

Farmers must grow completely different crops adapted to extreme weather, says scientist

Eco news: French town paints grass green, €10bn needed for forests

Why parched grass in the south of France has been painted and the Minister of Agriculture has been called ‘stubborn’

France to support industrial sites in bid to hit water saving target

The government hopes to reduce water use by 10% by 2030 and pledges to work with high-use companies

1,000 ‘drought disaster zones’ named in France: what to do if affected

The damage can cover cracks in walls and foundations due to movements in the ground

Drought: French city to give water-saving shower heads to residents

The devices will be distributed for free and can save up to 40% of water, say authorities

Water restrictions not used effectively during France’s drought

The rules were brought in too late and cannot be enforced, say experts

France drought: checks find hundreds breaking water usage rules

6,000 checks have been carried out this year and will continue into autumn. Those breaking rules risk fines of up to €1,500 (€7,500 for businesses)

Eco-protest convoy of tractors and bikes to travel through France

A new protest against the controversial ‘mega-reservoirs’ will set off for Paris this week

Summer rain has not helped France’s low groundwater levels - minister

More than 30 departments are also on crisis alert for drought

Drought: 100 French communes without constant source of drinking water

Almost 30,000 people are affected

French town’s drought ‘solution’: painting its dried-out grass green!

Grass in Mandelieu-la-Napoule near Cannes is being coated with an organic dye that also helps to replenish it with nutrients

Map: Find out the water restrictions in your part of France

From bans on watering your garden to filling your swimming pool, see what rules are in place

Drought damage claims could get easier due to reforms and Météo-France

The weather reporter is changing how it supplies data for ‘natural catastrophe’ declarations

How do French authorities check people are not breaking drought rules?

Learn how authorities enforce water usage restrictions during drought conditions

Drought-damage hotspots, new home nightmare: 5 French property updates

Plus a notaire’s costly mistake in measuring a property and more signs of a property market slowdown

France drought rules: Do they stop me topping up my swimming pool?

With droughts set to hit France hard again this year, we look at what is and is not allowed when it comes to private swimming pools

How bad is the drought in France? See restrictions in your department

See the breakdown of the departments under drought warnings, alerts and crisis-level alerts

Home damage, wildfires: How warmer climate is forecast to alter France

Axa Climate has released predictions of how climate change could change France by 2050

Dordogne’s €50 grant for water butts: What help in my part of France?

Some parts of France are offering financial help to buy rainwater collectors to ease the pressure on water supplies

Jardins Ouverts: Visit a Dordogne chateau and an English-style garden

Green-fingered enthusiasts are spoilt for choice this summer the Open Gardens scheme gives access to stunning gardens and their creators

Leaks mean one-in-five litres of water in France is wasted, says study

The amount lost is the equivalent of one billion m3 of water per year, the equivalent of the consumption of Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Nice

Eco activists write on French golf course to denounce ‘water hoarding’

The golf course said it was following drought restrictions ‘to the letter’

Two-thirds of French groundwater is still below normal levels

Recent rain has been absorbed by the soil and not had an impact on groundwater levels, a government minister explained

It was not all bad: French news that may bring a smile to your face

Our weekly feel-good round-up includes more poppies in French fields and outside terraces staying open for three months longer each year

This is how the French government plans to deal with future heatwaves

From heat alerts via text message alerts to help for vulnerable people, France has issued a 15-step plan to cope with scorching temperatures

French mayor increases summer tariffs to make people use less water

‘It’s about sending an urgent message to change how people use water,’ said Grasse mayor Jérôme Viaud, introducing the measure

This is how the government wants you to save water this summer

From taking shorter showers to collecting rainwater, France has issued advice on how people should reduce their water consumption

Water crisis declared in south of France as spring rain comes too late

Growing vegetation took recent rainfall leaving groundwater tables unreplenished

Legal bid to overturn ban on above-ground pools in southern France

Restrictions to tackle drought conditions in Pyrénées-Orientales stigmatise swimming pools, says the federation bringing the legal challenge

Key questions answered on France’s new drought risk map

Drought is ‘very probable’ in nearly 30 French departments this summer, according to a new government map

Map: The 28 French departments at high risk of drought this summer

Official guidelines on how water restrictions should be applied have also been updated

Forest fire risk in parts of southern France raised to ‘very severe’

The combination of strong winds and drought conditions has heightened the likelihood of wildfires

How to keep your swimming pool open despite drought in France

With more than three million private pools in France, but increased water restrictions across the country, we share professional tips on how to keep your pool safe and useable

Practical tips for buying rainwater collector as sales surge in France

DIY stores say there are now waiting lists for rainwater collectors as people look to overcome drought restrictions

What impact will May rain have on France’s water deficit?

Around three-quarters of France’s water tables were at below-normal levels in April

Firefighters forced to get water from sea in drought-hit south France

They would normally get water from fire hydrants, but the drought has seen them look to the sea, lakes and rivers instead

France drought: sales of above ground pools banned in parts of south

The aim is to limit the temptation to use water for pools as departments prepare for local population numbers to quadruple as tourists arrive

Support for French drought damage bill ‘a good start’

An association representing homeowners whose properties were damaged by drought has welcomed a bill which would reform the insurance system

Church in drought-hit southern France organises a ‘make it rain’ march

The procession on Sunday will ‘ask God for his intervention’ amid an ongoing rain deficit

Is your French property in newly declared drought ‘disaster’ zones?

If so, you can claim compensation for any damage. We explain how and what to do if you are out of the country

Maximum alert: Drought crisis declared in parts of southern France

Parts of Occitanie were put on the highest drought alert level on Friday as politicians warn of a ‘human and ecological catastrophe’

Drought-hit French department in plea to prevent ‘human catastrophe’

The president of Pyrénées-Orientales says the southern department has not had any major rain for more than a year

Neighbours tell on each other as drought rules bite in southern France

Pyrénées-Orientales has been on a ‘reinforced drought alert’ since February, meaning severe restrictions on water use

French region offers €20,000 for rain collectors as popularity surges

The aid comes as more than a dozen French departments are on drought alert for all or part of their territory

Rules on using well water during a drought in France

Partner article: We look at what water restrictions are applied to private wells during droughts

France’s first big wildfire of the year hits in drought-hit south

The fire destroyed 900 hectares and the local mayor called it an ‘apocalyptic day’

Tap water ban in four villages in southern France as shortages bite

Tap water consumption has been banned in four communes in the south of France.

Go-ahead for controversial ‘mega reservoirs’ in west France

Critics of the basins say they will worsen water shortages and that farmers are ‘hoarding’ a scarce resource

MPs back compensating homeowners in France for drought damage

Over ten million homes are sited in at-risk zones

March rain not enough to make up for France’s record winter drought

Rainfall is around 10% below the September-March average, said Météo France

Drought-hit French commune gives locals free water-saving devices

With river levels extremely low, a mayor in southern France has moved to protect precious water supplies

Project to make wastewater fit for drinking in France

The Jourdain project in western France is the first of its kind in Europe, and could provide a solution to future droughts

French minister wants eco group disbanded over reservoir violence

Interior minister Gérald Darmanin accused Les Soulèvements de la Terre of being the origins of the unrest at Sainte-Soline

France drought: Macron wants water prices that punish those who waste

France’s president insisted it was not about raising water prices but instead rewarding those who use it responsibly

Homeowners in France urged to help ease drought and forest fires

We explain the yellow, orange and red drought warnings and what action to take to prepare for restrictions