Winter Truce 2026-2027: What It Protects (and What It Doesn't) for Tenants

From 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027

Every year, the winter truce (trêve hivernale) starts on 1 November and ends on 31 March of the following year. It is set out in Article L412-6 of the French Code of Civil Enforcement Procedures (code des procédures civiles d'exécution). This year it therefore runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. During these five months, an occupant cannot be evicted from their home, even if a judge has ordered them to leave. The rule is often misunderstood: it protects a lot, but not everything. Here is what you need to know as a tenant in Paris or the Île-de-France region.

What the truce protects

• No forced eviction: the landlord cannot have an eviction order enforced by a bailiff (commissaire de justice) or with police assistance, whatever the reason (unpaid rent, neighbour disturbances, breach of the building rules). The order is not cancelled: its enforcement is postponed until after 31 March.
• No cut-off by the landlord: the landlord is not allowed to cut off electricity, gas or water in the rented home. If this happens, the tenant can file a complaint.
• No cut-off by the supplier: in the event of unpaid bills, energy and water suppliers cannot cut off supply to a main residence. They may, however, reduce the electrical power, except for households receiving the energy voucher (chèque énergie).

A landlord who tries to force a tenant out during the truce commits a criminal offence, punishable by up to three years in prison and a €30,000 fine, as the ANIL (the national housing information agency) points out.

What the truce does not suspend

• Rent is still due: the truce is neither an exemption nor a payment holiday. Rent and service charges keep running as usual.
• Proceedings continue: the landlord can still serve a formal demand for payment (commandement de payer), call on the guarantor or go to court. Only the enforcement of the eviction is postponed.
• Your notice period and the end of your lease do not change: the truce only concerns forced eviction. If you have given notice, your notice period runs as planned and you leave the property on the agreed date. To avoid any mistake on this point, read our article Tenant notice period in Paris: one month, not three.

The exceptions provided by law

According to the ANIL, the truce does not apply in four situations:

• when the people concerned are offered suitable rehousing that meets their needs and family size;
• to squatters who entered someone else's home (main or second residence) by deception, threats, assault or coercion;
• to occupants of student housing who no longer meet the conditions to live there;
• to a spouse or partner who has committed domestic violence and whose eviction has been ordered by the family court judge (juge aux affaires familiales).

The City of Paris also mentions properties subject to a danger order (arrêté de péril), meaning they are no longer habitable as they stand.

Tenants in difficulty: act now

The truce buys time, not a solution. If rent arrears start to build up, the most effective approach is to act before the debt grows:

• inform your landlord or their agency in writing and propose a realistic repayment plan;
• call the free SOS loyers impayés helpline: 0805 16 00 75, set up by the ANIL, or contact a legal adviser at your local ADIL free of charge;
• find out about the housing solidarity fund (fonds de solidarité pour le logement, FSL) and local assistance;
• in Paris, the social services of your district town hall (mairie d'arrondissement) can help you negotiate more time, start mediation or look for another home.

Winter is also when heating costs weigh most. Our article on heating and service charges before winter helps you check what you pay, and our guide to rent reviews with the Q3 2026 rent index (IRL) lets you check any increase.

Frequently asked questions

Can my landlord give me notice during the truce? Yes. The truce does not prevent a notice to quit being sent under the conditions set by law and by the lease. It only prevents the forced eviction of an occupant between 1 November and 31 March.

Can I move during the truce? Of course. The truce places no limit on voluntary departures, lease signings or check-in and check-out inspections.

Can my supplier reduce my electrical power? Yes, in the event of unpaid bills, unless you receive the energy voucher. It cannot, however, cut off supply to your main residence during the truce.

Conclusion

The winter truce offers strong protection against eviction and energy cut-offs, but it suspends neither rent nor legal proceedings. If you are moving this winter, what matters most is signing a clear lease for a home that fits your budget: this is exactly what we check with our clients before every signing. Looking for a home in Paris or Île-de-France? Book an appointment with APPARTE.

This article provides general information that is up to date at the time of publication. For a specific situation, have your rights checked by a professional (ADIL, lawyer or notary).