Cows can keep mooing at night, French parliament rules

New law says people who decide to live next to an existing farm, shop, bar or restaurant cannot complain about noise

Anyone thinking of moving to the French countryside who objects to being woken by crowing cockerels, mooing cows, the sound of tractors or the smell of manure will be sent packing from the courts from now on.

The French parliament has adopted a law in an effort to put an end to hundreds of noise compliant court cases brought by disgruntled neighbours every year, mostly new arrivals from towns seeking rural peace and quiet.