Under what conditions can a fire be made in a fireplace or a stove at home?

Verified 13 May 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The regulations vary according to the characteristics of your fireplace or stove, your region and your type of housing (apartment or house). We're taking stock of the regulations.

General case

You can use for the main heating, extra heating or as approval light (i.e. for your pleasure):

  • An open fireplace
  • A fireplace with closed fireplace
  • A wood stove, pellet or mixed.

However, if you live in a condominium building, you must imperatively check that the condominium rules does not prohibit the use of the fireplace or stove.

Warning  

Some town halls or prefectures prohibit the use of open fireplaces, because burning wood is a source of air pollution. To know the applicable rules, you must contact your town hall or your prefecture or consult its website.

Who shall I contact

Yes, you must blow your fireplace (open or closed fireplace) or stove.

Sweeping must be done by a qualified chimney sweep.

The frequency is at least 1 time per year. However, in the majority of departments, 2 sweeps per year are required, including 1 during the period of use. To find out, you must contact your town hall or your prefecture or consult its website.

At the end of the procedure, the chimney sweep must give you a certificate that you must keep.

Please note

Failure to sweep your chimney or stove may result in a fine of up to €450.

Yes, you may, under certain conditions, benefit from the aid MaPrimeRénov' (MPR) for the replacement of an open fireplace (fireplace) by a closed fireplace (fireplace with insert or stove).

For more information, you can contact an advisor specialized in home renovation works (France Rénov'):

Who shall I contact

  • Allows to be accompanied free of charge in its renovation work by advisors of France Rénov'.

    By phone

    0,808,800,700

    Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. You must have your last tax notice.

    Free service + cost of a call

In Île-de-France

All municipalities located in Île-de-France are subject to an atmospheric protection plan (APP), because the whole region is classified as a sensitive area for air quality. Conditions must therefore be met according to the nature of your equipment:

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Closed fireplace and stove

You can use your fireplace or stove as:

  • Main Heating
  • Extra heating
  • Approval light (i.e. for your pleasure).

However, if you live in a condominium building, you must imperatively check that the condominium rules does not prohibit the use of the fireplace or stove.

Open fireplace

In Paris and in many communes of Île-de-France, the use of open fireplaces is prohibited. Only the approval lights punctual, that is to say for pleasure, can be tolerated.

To find out if this applies to your municipality, you must contact your town hall or prefecture or consult its website.

Who shall I contact

Also, if you live in a condominium building, you must imperatively check that the condominium rules does not prohibit the use of the chimney.

Yes, you must blow your fireplace (open or closed fireplace) or stove.

Sweeping must be done by a qualified chimney sweep.

The frequency is at least 1 time per year. However, in the majority of departments, 2 sweeps per year are required, including 1 during the period of use. To find out, you must contact your town hall or your prefecture or consult its website.

At the end of the procedure, the chimney sweep must give you a certificate that you must keep.

Please note

Failure to sweep your chimney or stove may result in a fine of up to €450.

Yes, you may, under certain conditions, benefit from the aid MaPrimeRénov' (MPR) for the replacement of an open fireplace (fireplace) by a closed fireplace (fireplace with insert or stove).

For more information, you can contact an advisor specialized in home renovation works (France Rénov'):

Who shall I contact

  • Allows to be accompanied free of charge in its renovation work by advisors of France Rénov'.

    By phone

    0,808,800,700

    Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. You must have your last tax notice.

    Free service + cost of a call

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • To know the frequency of sweeping and local restrictions

    Town Hall

  • To know the frequency of sweeping and local restrictions

    Prefecture