Who's Right?Neighbour's party on a weeknight: how late is OK?
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In short
In France, night-time noise rules apply from 10 pm, on weeknights and weekends alike, but noise that is too loud, too long or repeated can be fined even earlier. On a weeknight, turning the music right down at 10 pm is the reasonable limit.
Both sides
I'm a nurse and my Friday shift starts at 6:30 am. On Thursday night, my upstairs neighbour threw a party for his promotion: music, laughter, chairs scraping on the floor. At 10:15 pm I went up and politely asked him to turn it down. He said they'd stop soon, but the noise didn't really drop until after 11:30. I'm not asking him to never have a party, just to remember that other people have work the next day.
I almost never have parties. This was the first one in a year. I put a note up in the hallway three days before to warn everyone. When Aïcha came up, I turned the music down a bit and told my friends to keep their voices down. Noise is part of living in a building, and an extra hour and a half once a year isn't the end of the world.
The verdict
Aïcha is mostly right. From 10 pm, French night-time noise rules apply, and they make no difference between a Thursday and a Saturday. She also handled it well: she went up early, stayed polite and didn't call the police straight away.
Lucas does have real points in his favour. The party was rare, he warned his neighbours in advance, and he made a first effort. But a warning doesn't give you the right to disturb people, and turning it down a bit after being asked to stop isn't enough. Once a neighbour has told you the noise is bothering her, carrying on for more than an hour is exactly what the rules target.
On a weeknight, the good habit is simple: music off or very low at 10 pm, and the evening carries on quietly.
The compromise
Lucas goes to see Aïcha to apologise. Next time, on a weeknight, he switches the music off at 10 pm or saves big parties for Friday or Saturday. In return, Aïcha gives him her number so she can text him if the noise bothers her, instead of having to go upstairs.
What the rules say
In France, noise from people's behaviour (voices, shouting, music, sound systems, etc.) can be penalised whenever it disturbs the neighbours in an abnormal way, day or night. Noise at night, between 10 pm and 7 am, counts as night-time disturbance (tapage nocturne). At night, it can be an offence even if the noise isn't repeated, intense or long-lasting. The person making it must still know they are disturbing others and do nothing about it. During the day, noise becomes an abnormal disturbance when it is repeated, intense or goes on for a long time. So making noise before 10 pm isn't risk-free: you can be penalised for noise that is too frequent, too long or too loud, at a party for example. The French Criminal Code punishes night-time noise that disturbs others as a third-class petty offence. If neighbours file a complaint, the fine can reach €450. A local or regional order (arrêté) can also ban certain noises at certain times, so check with your town hall. In a block of flats, also read the building rules (règlement de copropriété or house rules). Trying to sort it out amicably first is recommended before calling the police or gendarmerie.
Sources:
- Troubles de voisinage : bruits de comportement (service-public.gouv.fr)
- Article R623-2 - Code pénal (legifrance.gouv.fr)
General information, not legal advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you make as much noise as you like until 10 pm?
No, that's a myth. In France, noise that is too loud, too long or repeated can be penalised at any time, even in broad daylight.
Are the hours different at weekends?
No. The night-time period, 10 pm to 7 am, is the same every night. A local or regional order may add extra rules, so ask your town hall.
What should I do if the party goes on after 10 pm?
Start by calmly asking your neighbour to turn it down. If they refuse or nothing changes, you can call the police or gendarmerie, who can come and confirm the noise.
What does a noisy neighbour risk?
In France, night-time noise is a third-class petty offence. If neighbours file a complaint, the fine can reach €450.
Is a note in the hallway enough to be in the clear?
Warning your neighbours is polite and helps avoid tension. But it doesn't give you the right to disturb them, especially after 10 pm.
Guide Disputes between neighbors: the guide
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