Natural Gas Providers in France

The structure of the French natural gas market

The French natural gas market was progressively liberalised under European directives. Since 1 July 2007, all residential customers can freely choose their gas supplier, ending the historic monopoly of Gaz de France (now Engie).

This liberalisation was completed in 2023 with the abolition of the regulated gas tariff. Three actors structure today's market: suppliers (who sell the gas), network operators (GRTgaz and Teregaz for transport, GRDF and local distribution companies for distribution), and the regulator, the Energy Regulation Commission (CRE).

According to the CRE, around 11 million French households use natural gas for heating, hot water or cooking. All, without exception, are now on market-priced offers.

The end of the regulated gas tariff on 1 July 2023

The regulated sale tariff for natural gas (TRV gaz) ended on 30 June 2023, and all TRV contracts were automatically converted to a market offer on 1 July 2023. This abolition was scheduled by the Act of 8 November 2019 on energy and climate, transposing European competition law.

In practice, Engie's former TRV customers were transferred to a "Passerelle" market offer with the same supplier, with the freedom to switch at any time. No service interruption occurred and no fee was charged.

To compensate for the absence of an official tariff and ensure transparency, the CRE publishes a monthly "gas reference price" (prix repere). This indicative price is calculated according to a public methodology (supply, transport, marketing costs and taxes). It serves as a benchmark to evaluate the fairness of a commercial offer but is not binding on suppliers.

The market offer landscape

In the absence of a regulated tariff, suppliers propose different types of offers. Three main families structure the market in 2026.

Fixed-price offers

The kWh price is locked for a defined period (1 to 4 years). This formula offers budget visibility and protection against price rises, but does not benefit from possible drops. The fixed price typically only covers the supply portion: transport costs and taxes may still vary.

Offers indexed on the CRE reference price

The price follows, up or down, the CRE's monthly reference price, sometimes with a discount (for example -5% or -10%). More flexibility, less budget predictability.

Offers including biomethane (green gas)

Some suppliers offer a variable share of renewable gas (10%, 50%, 100%) backed by biomethane guarantees of origin. Premium ranges from 0 to 15% depending on the share. France's Multiannual Energy Programme (PPE) targets 20% renewable gas in total consumption by 2030.

Engie, the historic natural gas supplier

Engie is the heir of Gaz de France, a public utility established in 1946. Until 30 June 2023, Engie was the only supplier authorised to commercialise the regulated tariff to residential customers. Today, Engie no longer holds a special status: its offers are market offers, on the same footing as those of its competitors.

The group remains the largest residential gas supplier in France. It is subject to specific CRE supervision regarding the separation between its supply activities and the distribution network operator GRDF, which is its subsidiary.

The role of GRDF and local distribution companies

Regardless of your supplier, gas is delivered through the same distribution network. GRDF (Gaz Reseau Distribution France) operates around 95% of this network, around 200,000 km of pipes serving 9,500 municipalities. The remaining 5% is run by around twenty local distribution companies (ELD) historically (Gaz de Bordeaux, Regaz, Seolis, etc.).

GRDF is responsible for:

• Maintaining and developing the distribution network
• Reading meters (including the Gazpar smart meter)
• Technical interventions (activation, disconnection, repairs)
• Quality and safety of delivery

In case of gas emergency (leak, suspicious smell, hissing sound), call the GRDF emergency number immediately: 0 800 47 33 33 (free call, 24/7). This number applies regardless of your supplier.

Consumer protections and acquired rights

Several mechanisms protect residential gas customers in France, supervised by the CRE, the National Energy Ombudsman and the DGCCRF (consumer protection authority).

• Winter truce: ban on disconnections for unpaid bills from 1 November to 31 March, for the primary residence.
• Energy cheque (cheque energie): national aid automatically granted to modest-income households, usable for gas, electricity bills or energy renovation works.
• Right of withdrawal: 14 days to cancel a contract concluded remotely (French Consumer Code).
• National Energy Ombudsman: free and independent recourse for unresolved disputes, after two months without a satisfactory answer.
• Back-up supplier: if your supplier fails, continuity of supply is guaranteed by the French Energy Code.

In case of abusive commercial canvassing (forced sale, false identity of GRDF or Engie, false promises), report it to the DGCCRF via SignalConso and to the National Energy Ombudsman.

How to switch gas supplier

Switching gas supplier is free, with no interruption and no penalty. You do not need to contact your previous supplier: the new one handles everything, including termination. The steps provided by the French Energy Code are:

1. Identify your PCE (Point de Comptage et d'Estimation), a 14-digit unique identifier on your bills.
2. Compare available offers based on your consumption profile and tariff zone.
3. Subscribe to the new contract (online, by phone or in agency).
4. The new supplier terminates the old contract with the outgoing supplier, without action from your side.
5. The switch takes effect in roughly 21 days, with no interruption and no technician visit in most cases.

For administrative information, the French official portal service-public.fr centralises procedures relating to gas and energy.

Official sources to consult

• Energy Regulation Commission (CRE) — list of suppliers, monthly reference price
• National Energy Ombudsman — dispute resolution
• service-public.fr — gas switching procedures
• Ministry of Ecological Transition — regulatory framework