France implements drought restrictions and agricultural water funding

In the Côte-d’Or region of France, authorities have maintained a ‘Crisis’ level drought status for Villebichot and surrounding alert zones. Effective from October 22 to November 15, 2026, the measures include new restrictions on vegetable garden watering, which is prohibited between 9:00 and 18:00. Additionally, vehicle washing stations in crisis sectors are closed, subject to strictly regulated exemptions, due to low river flows and drinking water tensions.

In the Occitanie region, the French Ministry of Agriculture has allocated over 14 million euros to fund 17 agricultural hydraulic projects for 2026. This funding, which represents nearly a quarter of the national 60 million euro fund, aims to increase farm resilience against climate change. Key projects include an 8.4 million euro investment in the Agly water supply network in Pyrénées-Orientales and a 1.6 million euro modernization of the Cuelas network between Hautes-Pyrénées and Gers.