Winter TyresWinter Tyres France 2026: 34 Mountain Départements
France's Loi Montagne runs 1 November to 31 March in 34 mountain départements. Only 3PMSF-marked tyres now count, and chains or snow socks for two drive wheels are the alternative.
France’s rule is geographic, not meteorological. From 1 November to 31 March, cars in designated communes of 34 mountain départements must carry 3PMSF winter tyres or chains — whatever the weather that day.
The sign at the roadside is the law
The Loi Montagne II obligation does not follow the forecast and it does not cover France. It covers 34 mountain départements — the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, the Jura, the Vosges and Corsica — and within them only the communes each prefecture has listed. You know you have entered one because a B58 sign stands at the boundary and a B59 releases you at the far end.
That sign is more than a courtesy. Under Code de la route article D. 314-8 the requirement is tied to the signs actually being installed, which is why enforcement has been uneven since the rule started: in stretches where prefectures never put the panels up, there is nothing to enforce. France publishes no fixed tariff for the offence, and in practice the risk that costs money is not the ticket — it is the liability argument after a crash on a pass you were not equipped for.
What Counts as Compliant
You satisfy the rule in one of two ways, and you get to choose:
- Four 3PMSF winter or all-season tyres. Since the 2024-25 season the old M+S stamp on its own no longer qualifies — the three-peak mountain snowflake is now the only accepted marking.
- Chains or snow socks in the boot, enough to fit two drive wheels. You do not have to fit them; you have to have them.
That second option is the one visitors underuse. A set of chains is cheaper than four tyres and legally sufficient, which makes it the sensible answer if your trip touches the mountains once.
Minimum Tread Depth
The legal minimum across France is 1.6 mm all year. For a winter tyre, 3.0 mm is the practical replacement point — below that the snow and slush performance the marking promises has largely gone.
Studded Tyres
Studs are allowed only in a defined winter window and carry their own conditions, including a reduced maximum speed and a compulsory disc on the rear of the vehicle. They are a specialist choice in France, not a default one.
All-Season Tyres
All-season tyres are accepted for the Loi Montagne as long as they carry the 3PMSF snowflake. For a valley road they are fine. For a ski-resort approach in February, a dedicated winter set still stops considerably shorter.
Related Driving Rules
- Alcohol limit: 0.05 BAC
- Motorway speed limit: 130 km/h (110 km/h in rain)
- Rural roads: 80 km/h national default; over 50 départements have restored 90 km/h on selected secondary roads where signposted
- Warning triangle: Required
- Reflective vest: Required
Verify tyre requirements for your destination
Check Tyre RequirementsWhat Most Guides Don’t Tell You
The map, not the thermometer
Drivers arriving from Germany or Austria expect a weather test and get a map instead. A dry, sunny 1 November in a designated commune still requires equipment; a snowy 15 October, 30 km outside one, requires nothing. Check the commune, not the sky.
Where checks actually happen
Gendarmes work the approaches to ski resorts and the mountain passes, especially on changeover Saturdays when the resort traffic is at its heaviest. Border crossings from Switzerland and Italy see checks too. A rental car collected in Lyon or Geneva may or may not be on 3PMSF tyres — the marking is on the sidewall, and thirty seconds in the car park settles it.
Chains are a skill, not just an object
Carrying chains satisfies the law. Fitting them in a layby, in the dark, in snow, with cold hands, is a different matter. Practise once on a dry driveway before the trip — it converts a miserable twenty minutes into a routine five.
Why the marking change matters more than it sounds
M+S is self-declared by the manufacturer; 3PMSF is awarded after a measured snow-traction test. When France closed the M+S door, a large number of perfectly legal-looking tyres stopped qualifying overnight. If your tyres are more than a few years old, read the sidewall rather than trusting the tread pattern.
How France Compares
| Country | Winter Tyres | Period | Studded | Min Tread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | In 34 mountain départements | 1 Nov – 31 Mar | Restricted window | 1.6 mm |
| Germany | Condition-based | No dates — ice, snow, slush or frost | Prohibited | 1.6 mm |
| Spain | Not required | — | Prohibited | 1.6 mm |
| Italy | Situational | 15 Nov – 15 Apr, varies by region and road | Restricted | 1.6 mm |
| Belgium | Not required | — | Prohibited | 1.6 mm |
Key Facts at a Glance
| Country | France |
| Winter tyres mandatory | In designated mountain communes only |
| Mandatory period | 1 Nov – 31 Mar |
| Départements covered | 34 |
| Alternative to tyres | Chains or snow socks for two drive wheels |
| Min tread depth | 1.6 mm |
| Recommended tread | 3.0 mm |
| Studded tyres | Restricted window |
| Required marking | 3PMSF snowflake |
| Emergency number | 17 |
Learn More
Plan your trip with these detailed guides:
Crossing more than one border this winter? See winter tyre rules, dates and legal tread minimums for every country →
Tyre details
- Winter tyre rated below your car's top speed? Read the speed letter — H, V, W and Y decoded, plus the sticker rule for lower-rated winter sets.
- Load index: will the tyre carry a loaded car? — The two- or three-digit number that caps weight per tyre.
- EU tyre label grades for wet grip and fuel use — What each letter and pictogram on the sticker actually measures.
- Tyre noise ratings in decibels — What the dB figure and the A, B or C class on the label mean inside the car.
- Starting tyre pressure for your size and load — A starting figure in bar and psi, then the door placard has the final word.
Full rules, fines & requirements
Winter tyres, tread depth & rules
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Related Questions
Only in the 34 départements listed under the Loi Montagne — the Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central, Jura, Vosges and Corsica — and only in the communes those départements designate. The boundary is marked by a road sign.
Every year from 1 November to 31 March, regardless of the weather on the day. Outside the designated areas there is no requirement at all.
No. Since the 2024-25 season only tyres carrying the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol qualify. Carrying chains or socks for two drive wheels is the accepted alternative.
1.6 mm year-round for cars. For winter use 3.0 mm is the widely recommended replacement point.