Propane in France: providers, tariffs and getting started

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If your current or future home in France can’t be connected to electricity or mains gas, propane offers a practical and reliable alternative. This liquefied gas can be stored in bottles or large tanks, allowing you to meet your energy needs and heat your home efficiently, even in off-grid locations.

Is propane gas right for me?

First things first, you need to determine whether propane is right for you and your home. In most urban areas of France, homes are connected to the natural gas network—commonly referred to as gaz de ville. This gas is distributed by GRDF and can be supplied by major energy providers such as  TotalEnergies, Engie, EDF, and others.

However, in rural or remote regions that are not connected to the natural gas grid, an alternative is needed. In these areas, propane gas is often the best solution. It can be supplied in two forms: bottled gas for smaller needs or a bulk tank installed on your property for more regular use.

The propane providers in France

In France, 4 companies dominate the propane market: Antargaz, Butagaz and Primagaz and Vitogaz. The rest of the market is shared by smaller and more local suppliers.

Main French Propane Providers

Provider	Characteristics
	Antargaz offers some of the cheapest rates on the market. It is well established nationwide and its customer service has overall good reviews.
	Butagaz is well established nationwide, with a speciality in gas cylinders. It also provides a range of tanks for every level of gas consumption.
	Primagaz provides propane gas both in France and 27 other countries. It has offers for private individuals and professionals, but does not publicly disclose its tariffs.
	Vitogaz is an independent gas provider, present on the gas bottle and propane tank markets. The company puts great emphasis on transparency which is one of its values, making its pricing information public on its website.

How much does propane cost in France?

When you opt for propane, you will be paying for the gas itself, but keep in mind that you will also have other costs to cover, which you should be aware of before you sign up.

Prices of propane per tonne in France

In 2025, the price of a tonne of propane in France ranges from €1,700 to €4,400 with tax, with an average of about €2,400.

Below is a quick comparison of the prices applied by the four main LGP providers (graph in French). Just keep in mind that the tariffs presented below don't include any seasonal promotions or discounts given to clients on an individual basis.

Price of a propane tank installation

Getting a propane tank installed often include other fees. Indeed, while some providers will charge you for the procedure as a one-time fee, others will include the price in the subscription, and others still will take care of the cost instead.

Fees for propane tank maintenance

Because of propane's dangerous nature, gas tanks must be well-maintained and checked regularly. This means you will probably find maintenance fees added to your monthly subscription. Thus, be sure to check the price lists from different suppliers to better anticipate these maintenance costs.

The table below shows the annual maintenance subscription prices charged by different suppliers:

Annual Subscription Price for a Propane Tank

Supplier / Offer	Price per year		The subscription includes...
	Underground tank	Above-ground tank
Antargaz Visipack	150 €		Tank provided Maintenance and servicing Connected gauge
Butagaz Optimo	174 €	114 €	Tank provided Maintenance and servicing
Primagaz Prim'Eazy First	144 €		Tank installation Tank rental Periodic inspection and requalification Metered billing
Repsol	--	40.8 €	Maintenance and servicing
Vitogaz Vitozeco	308 €	265.51 €	Tank rental Maintenance: 125.97 € extra

Prices include VAT and are based on supplier pricing as of août 2025.
Suppliers listed in alphabetical order.

Propane delivery fees

When you use propane in a tank for heating or cooking, the gas has to be delivered to your home by truck. Propane delivery fees refer to the extra charges that may apply when the supplier brings the gas to your home, especially if you choose to manage the deliveries yourself.

There are two common delivery options:

• Supplier-managed delivery (automatic delivery): the supplier monitors your tank level and schedules deliveries when needed. This service is usually free of charge.
• Customer-managed delivery (on-demand): You decide when to order gas. This gives you flexibility, but can come with extra fees, especially in the winter months.

Some suppliers also apply minimum order requirements or higher rates per tonne for small deliveries. So while propane itself may seem affordable, it’s important to check the delivery terms and conditions, as fees can vary significantly depending on the supplier and your delivery method.

Comparison of Propane Delivery Fees by Supplier

Propane Supplier	Supplier-managed delivery	Customer-managed delivery
	Free	May 1 to Sept 30: Free Oct 1 to April 30: 30 € by phone or 10 € online
	Free	151–450 kg: 50 € 451–650 kg: 30 € Over 651 kg: 10 € – 10 € if ordered online
	Free	Over 501 kg: Free 301–500 kg: 45 € 201–300 kg: 72 € (online)
	Free	Free from April 1 to Sept 30 Up to 150 € the rest of the year (depending on delivery time and quantity)
	Free
	Free	Up to 231.6 € depending on quantity ordered

Prices include VAT, based on supplier pricing as of août 2025.
Suppliers listed in alphabetical order.
Free listing of suppliers.

Termination Fees for Propane Contracts

Contrary to an electricity or gas contract, ending a propane tank contract in France may involve several charges, depending on your supplier and situation. These fees are important to consider before switching or stopping your service.

The common costs are:

• the tank removal fee;
• a fee for pumping out leftover gas;
• eventually an early termination penalty.

The table below compares tank removal costs across different suppliers for both underground and above-ground tanks.

Prices of propane: bottles

As for propane bottles, you will be paying not only for the bottles of gas, but also for their initial deposit and the refills that ensue.

Fees for gas bottle deposits

When you buy a gas bottle in France (or many other countries), you're not just paying for the gas inside — you're also paying a deposit for the bottle itself, called a consigne in French.

This deposit is a one-time fee charged the first time you purchase a bottle. It allows you to use the supplier’s gas cylinder, which remains their property. You pay the deposit when buying your first bottle (usually between €1 and €50, depending on the size and brand). The next time you need gas, you simply exchange your empty bottle for a full one and pay only for the gas refill.

Fees for gas bottle refills

For gas bottle refills, prices vary significantly, depending on the size of the bottle and the propane supplier.

Billing methods for paying for propane

If you go for propane bottles, you will pay per bottle at the store. But if you sign up to a propane gas tank contract, you can opt for 2 kinds of methods to pay your supplier:

1. You can pay per amount of gas delivered. In this case, you will pay for every delivery of gas made to your home. This case works well for customer-initiated deliveries.
2. You can pay per consumption. Here, your provider might install a meter on your tank, so as to monitor the gas used. The provider will then typically charge you on a monthly basis. This system is most appropriate for automatic deliveries.

Choosing the propane contract right for you

Below are a few guidelines to help you choose the propane contract which will suit your needs.

Choosing a method of propane delivery in France

There are two options for propane gas delivery you can opt for:

1. Automatic delivery, on your supplier’s initiative. They will calculate delivery frequency based on your consumption history and the weather forecast. This is usually the cheapest option, and is probably the safest as this way you are sure that you will never run out.
2. Requested delivery, on your own initiative. This can work out cheaper if you only need propane gas sporadically over the year, but you do need to pay attention to your levels of gas or else you run the risk of running out of supply. A good rule of thumb is to contact your supplier when your propane gas tank goes down to 20% of its capacity. You will be charged per each delivery you initiate.

Important questions to ask before subscribing to a propane offer

Below are a few essential questions you should get answers to before you sign any propane contract:

• What is the supplier's propane price list (gas, refills and deposit)? Can I get a discount?
• Are prices likely to evolve? And if so, am I protected against increases?
• For tanks: how much does the tank installation cost?
• If you opt for propane bottles: what does the deposit cost? How about the gas bottle refills?
• How much would an early contract cancellation cost (termination, repackaging of the gas, removal of the tank)?
• Are tank maintenance and control costs included in the monthly prices?
• How can I pay my bills?
• Does the contract bind me to the supplier for a minimum time period? If so, for how long?