French Civil Code
In forceUnless the deceased wishes otherwise in accordance with article
971, the successor spouse who actually occupied, at the time of death, as his or her principal dwelling, a dwelling belonging to the spouses or wholly dependent on the succession, has over this dwelling, until his or her death, a right of dwelling and a right of use over the furniture, included in the succession, furnishing it.
The deprivation of these rights of habitation and use expressed by the deceased under the conditions mentioned in the first paragraph has no effect on the rights of usufruct that the spouse receives by virtue of the law or a gift, which continue to obey their own rules.
These rights of habitation and use are exercised under the conditions set out in articles
627,
631,
634and
635.
The spouse, the other heirs or one of them may demand that an inventory of the furniture and a statement of the property subject to the rights of use and habitation be drawn up.
By way of derogation from articles 631 and 634, where the spouse's situation means that the dwelling subject to the right of habitation is no longer suitable for his or her needs, the spouse or his or her representative may rent it out for a use other than commercial or agricultural in order to release the resources necessary for new accommodation.
