PARIS: From crowing roosters to the whiff of barnyard animals, the “sensory heritage” of France’s countryside will now be protected by law from attempts to stifle the everyday aspects of rural life from newcomers looking for peace and quiet.
French senators gave final approval on Thursday to a law proposed in the wake of several high-profile conflicts by village residents and vacationers, or recent arrivals derided as “neo-rurals”.
A rowdy rooster named Maurice made headlines in 2019 after a court in western France rejected a bid to have him silenced by neighbours who had purchased a holiday home nearby.
“Living in the countryside implies accepting some nuisances,” Joel Giraud, the minister in charge of rural life, told lawmakers.
From crowing roosters to the whiff of barnyard animals, the sensory heritage of France s countryside will now be protected by law.
Senators on Thursday gave final approval to a bill desgined to defend aspects of country life against complains by visitors or new arrivals - dubbed neo-rurals .
It comes after several high-profile court cases, including in 2019 when a court in western France rejected a bid to have a noisy rooster named Maurice silenced by neighbours who had purchased a holiday home.
French senators on Thursday gave final approval to the new laws, sparked by high-profile lawsuits including against the owner of a noisy rooster named Maurice (pictured)
Farmer working the land, France (Walt Girdner photo)
PARIS (AFP) From crowing roosters to the whiff of barnyard animals, the “sensory heritage” of France’s countryside will now be protected by law from attempts to stifle the everyday aspects of rural life from newcomers looking for peace and quiet.
French senators on Thursday gave final approval to a law proposed in the wake of several high-profile conflicts by village residents and vacationers, or recent arrivals derided as “neo-rurals.”
A rowdy rooster named Maurice in particular made headlines in 2019 after a court in western France rejected a bid to have him silenced by neighbors who had purchased a holiday home nearby.