What are the regulations and costs for chimney cleaning in France?
The French term for chimney cleaning is 'ramonage'.
Insurance companies and other vested interests are fond of stating that the law requires a chimney must be cleaned at least twice a year, but this is not a national legal requirement, only a recommendation.
Under Article L2213-26 of the Code général des collectivités territoriales it is the local council who determine the cleaning frequency, which must not be less than once a year, with the clause stating:
'Le maire prescrit que le ramonage des fours, fourneaux et cheminées des maisons, usines, etc., doit être effectué au moins une fois chaque année.'