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Most French homes run on single-phase (monophasé) electricity — ideal for normal household use.
However, larger rural properties, old farmhouses, or homes with heavy equipment (like workshops, heat pumps or large water heaters) might have three-phase (triphasé) supply.
In France, the standard electrical system follows the European harmonised voltage and frequency:
⚡ Three-phase voltage: 400 V (line-to-line)
⚡ Single-phase voltage: 230 V (line-to-neutral)
🔁 Frequency: 50 Hz
👉 If you don’t need three-phase, it can sometimes cause issues with uneven power distribution — but it’s useful if you plan to install high-load equipment or expand the property in future.
All homes in France are connected to the national grid via an EDF-supplied meter, which may be one of two main types:
Older analogue meter (compteur électromécanique), which uses a spinning disc to measure consumption.
New “Linky” smart meter, now installed in most areas, which allows automatic readings and remote management by Enedis/EDF.
Next to the meter, you’ll find the EDF main supply switch, officially called the disjoncteur de branchement (sometimes referred to as the conjoncteur).
This device acts as the interface between the national grid and your home’s electrical system, and it serves three critical functions:
It protects the property against overloads.
It allows the entire house to be safely isolated from the grid.
It provides EDF with a secure point of connection for servicing or upgrades.
⚠️ Important: The disjoncteur de branchement and EDF meter are property of the electricity provider and must only ever be accessed or modified by an authorised EDF or Enedis technician. Homeowners or electricians can work from the consumer unit onwards — but the EDF supply equipment itself is sealed for safety and compliance reasons.
Modern French homes use a differential switch and circuit breaker system, often far more modular than older fuse boxes.
Make sure it’s clearly labelled and fitted with disjoncteurs (circuit breakers) rather than the old-style fuses.
A modern board should have 40 mA differential protection and individual breakers for each circuit — essential for safety and resale.
When renovating, you’ll find wiring runs through conduits (gaines) inside the walls — often red for power, blue for neutral, and green/yellow for earth. These colours are the modern standard, though older houses may use different or faded colour codes, so take care when identifying circuits.
In France, different appliances and circuits require specific cable sizes (section des câbles) depending on their load:
1.5 mm² wire – for lighting circuits (max 8 lights per circuit)
2.5 mm² wire – for socket outlets (max 8 sockets per circuit)
4 mm² or 6 mm² wire – for high-demand appliances such as ovens, water heaters, or electric radiators
If your French home uses fixed electric heaters (radiateurs électriques), they must never be plugged into a wall socket.
Each heater should be wired directly to its own breaker in the consumer unit, often controlled via a wall-mounted thermostat or central pilot wire system (fil pilote).
Improperly connected heaters are a common issue in older or “partially modernised” systems — and can pose a serious fire risk.
Many character homes still have wiring from the 1960s or 70s — or even earlier. Look for fabric-covered cables, lack of earth wiring, no differential protection, or even aluminium conductors, sometimes used in older rural properties. These can loosen, overheat, and are potentially dangerous.
If you see any of these, the safest option is a complete rewire. It’s a worthwhile investment that brings peace of mind and ensures your property meets modern standards while preserving its French charm.
It’s common to see homes described as having partially modernised electrics.
In reality, this often means a few new sockets or a modern fuse board have been patched onto old wiring — a risky mix that can lead to hidden faults or even fire hazards.
If you spot a shiny new consumer unit connected to older cable runs, assume you’ll need a complete rewire to make it genuinely safe and compliant.
In rural Mayenne, many properties include barns, garages, workshops, or well pumps connected to the main house supply.
Always check that these outbuildings have:
• Properly rated wiring and breakers, with suitable weather and moisture protection
• Working earth connections and differential safety switches
• Cables in protective conduit, especially where rodents or animals might chew or damage them
• Switches or isolators that allow lights, pumps, and heaters to be safely turned off when not in use
Outbuilding electrics are often forgotten — but they’re just as important for safety as the main house. A quick inspection can save you future headaches (and surprises on your electricity bill).
Before any sale, the seller must provide an electrical inspection report (diagnostic électricité) for systems over 15 years old.
It won’t necessarily stop the sale, but it gives you a clear idea of what needs updating — perfect for budgeting your renovation or negotiating the purchase price.