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Pipes burst, doors and windows warp, and homes are left with large cracks.
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These threats face more than 12 million properties in France as heat-trapping gases continue to bake the planet and accelerate extreme weather events.
Human-induced climate change is exacerbating a phenomenon called clay contraction and expansion, or RGA (Retrait-Gonflement des Argiles), which can cause serious structural problems in single-family homes.
The French government estimates that more than half of the mainland is currently at medium or high risk of RGA, particularly in homes built using concrete blocks since the 1970s.
Why are French houses shrinking and expanding?
During dry periods, clay soil loses moisture and begins to shrink, putting the foundation of your home at risk of collapsing. When heavy rain falls, the clay begins to expand and absorb excess moisture.
This cycle of drying and wetting is repeated over time, gradually weakening the soil and foundation. It can be exacerbated by several factors, including a poor drainage system or tree roots being too close to your home.
“This phenomenon affects 54 percent of single-family homes in France,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment and Transition told Euronews Earth.
“Clay shrinkage and expansion under the Natural Hazards Regime costs an average of €1 billion a year in compensation.”
According to the latest maps published by the French government, the areas most at risk of clay shrinkage are Alliers, Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence, Dordogne, Gers, Indre, Lot-et-Garonne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nord, Puy-de-Dôme, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne. Approximately 3 million homes in these areas are considered ‘high risk’.
Is climate change making the situation worse?
Global warming will further exacerbate this phenomenon, as rising temperatures increase the frequency and severity of heat waves and floods.
For every 1°C increase in temperature, there is approximately 7% more moisture in the atmosphere, potentially leading to heavier rainfall.
Last year, France was hit by a heat wave that left large parts of the department in drought. A severe heatwave in August caused temperatures to soar to 43.4°C, making 2025 the country’s third hottest summer on record.
Researchers from Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that 68% of the estimated 24,400 heat-related deaths in summer 2025 will be due to climate change, with temperatures rising by up to 3.6 degrees Celsius. Of these, 1,444 people died in France.
Earlier this year, France experienced the heaviest continuous rainfall on record from January 14th to February 22nd. The heavy rains caused severe flooding across western France, forcing around 4,000 people to seek refuge in emergency shelters.
By mid-February, hundreds of homes and buildings were reported damaged and evacuations began in several areas.
The Met Office has warned that 2026 is likely to be another year in which average global temperatures rise by 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. As global warming accelerates extreme weather events, France is experiencing repeated periods of intense dry and rainy seasons, threatening to wreak havoc on homes.
To tackle this problem, the government is piloting the Agile Prevention Fund. The fund aims to carry out vulnerability assessments and ensure preventive works are carried out before accidents to clay housing occur.
If you’re concerned about clay shrinkage, you can find out if you’re eligible for financial support here.
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