Who's Right?Neighbour plays piano every evening: is that allowed?
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In short
In France, playing the piano at home is allowed, but no noise may disturb the neighbours through its duration, repetition or intensity, day or night. After 10 pm it counts as night-time disturbance; before that, playing every evening too loudly or for too long can still be a problem.
Both sides
I play the piano every evening from 8:30 to 10 pm, never later. I'm preparing for a music school exam, and that's the only time I'm home. I'm not throwing parties, I'm practising. It feels unfair to be asked to stop when I'm respecting the time limit.
I live right next door, and her piano is against our shared wall. I get up at 5 am for work, so I go to bed early. An hour and a half of scales every evening is exhausting, even when it sounds nice. I'm not asking her to stop, just to play earlier or more quietly.
The verdict
Chloé is right about one important thing: playing an instrument at home is part of normal life, and she stops before 10 pm. She isn't trying to annoy anyone, and she's practising seriously.
But her main argument doesn't fully hold up. Stopping before 10 pm doesn't make everything okay. Repetition and duration matter too. An hour and a half every evening, against a shared wall, adds up for a neighbour who goes to bed early.
Karim is handling this well: he isn't asking her to give up the piano, just to adjust. His request is reasonable, which is why the balance tips his way.
The compromise
On weeknights, Chloé finishes by 9 pm, moves the piano away from the shared wall and puts it on a thick rug. Karim texts her when he needs a quiet evening, and they check in again in a month.
What the rules say
In France, the Public Health Code (article R1336-5) states that no particular noise may, through its duration, repetition or intensity, harm the peace of the neighbourhood or people's health. Service-public lists musical instruments among the possible sources of disturbance.
Nationally, there are no set hours when noise is automatically allowed or banned, except night-time disturbance (tapage nocturne) between 10 pm and 7 am. So playing before 10 pm isn't an absolute right: noise can be penalised day or night if it goes beyond the normal inconveniences of living close to others. What matters is intensity, duration, repetition and the local setting.
Mayors can set hours through local by-laws. In a co-owned building, the building regulations may also restrict certain noises, so check with your town hall and read your regulations.
The person making the noise can be fined up to €450. Before going to court, an attempt to settle things amicably is mandatory: a conversation, a simple letter, then a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, and possibly a conciliator or mediator.
Sources:
- Troubles de voisinage : bruits créés par des comportements anormaux (service-public.gouv.fr)
- Article R1336-5 - Code de la santé publique (legifrance.gouv.fr)
- Bruits de voisinage et excès sonores (dordogne.gouv.fr)
General information, not legal advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you safely play the piano until 10 pm?
No, that's a common myth. According to service-public.gouv.fr, noise can be penalised day or night if it's abnormal in intensity, duration or repetition. After 10 pm, it also counts as night-time disturbance.
What if my neighbour keeps playing after I've asked?
Service-public recommends going step by step: talk to your neighbour, then send a simple letter, then a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. You can also go through a conciliator or mediator. This amicable step is mandatory before going to court.
Can my town or building set playing hours?
Yes. Mayors can issue local by-laws, and building regulations in a co-owned property may restrict certain noises. Check with your town hall and read your regulations.
How can you make a piano quieter in a flat?
Move the piano away from the shared wall, put it on a thick rug and add anti-vibration pads under the legs. Use the practice pedal if the piano has one. With a digital piano, headphones solve the problem.
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Written with the help of AI · This is not legal advice. How Who's Right decides
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