Determination of French Property Boundaries

1. 1. What is 'Bornage'?
2. 2. Determination by Agreement
3. 3. Determination by Court Order

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1. What is "Bornage" in France

Bornage is a process that consists of determining, by the use of boundary markers, the boundary line between two properties in France.

One or more bornes (boundary markers) are put in place, which define the limits of the properties.

A borne has historically been a stone or concrete marker placed on the ground, but nowadays it is a plastic marker embedded in the ground.

Bornes have a protected legal status and their destruction or unauthorised relocation is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment and a very heavy fine.

The process of bornage can be carried out either by agreement between two or more neighbours, or following intervention of a court of law. The process of both approaches are considered in the following pages.

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Next: Determination by Agreement

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