Key takeaways:
- A good firewood seller is judged on 4 objective criteria: moisture content below 20 percent, certification (NF Bois de Chauffage or France Bois Bûche), transparent delivered price and recent customer reviews.
- The French market is split between online specialists (Simplyfeu, Crépito, Bois de Chauffage.net), energy networks, DIY superstores and certified local producers.
- Local producers are often 10 to 30 percent cheaper per stere than national retailers, provided you order in volume and stay within their delivery radius.
- Ordering in spring saves 10 to 20 percent compared with November and December prices, when demand peaks and stocks tighten.
Firewood: a fragmented and unclear market
Firewood remains the main energy source for more than 7 million French households, according to ADEME. Yet its distribution market is far from clear: wide price disparities, quality differences between suppliers, and stated volumes sometimes lower than what is actually delivered. Identifying the best firewood seller requires checking four objective criteria that apply to every serious player.
This article covers the criteria that define a good supplier, reviews the main players on the French market, then provides the benchmarks for comparing several offers before ordering.
What defines a good firewood seller
A good seller is recognisable through the transparency of the offer, the quality of the fuel delivered and the ability to meet announced deadlines. Several criteria help decide between two competing suppliers.
Product quality
The first criterion is the intrinsic quality of the wood delivered. Four elements should appear on the product sheet:
- Moisture content: wood labelled as “dry” displays less than 20 percent moisture. At 25 percent or more, it burns poorly, clogs the flue and releases less energy.
- Species: oak, beech, hornbeam and ash for hardwoods (best calorific value, around 2000 kWh per stere), birch, poplar and spruce for softwoods (easier to light but faster combustion).
- Seasoning method: natural air drying over 18 to 24 months, kiln drying (oven-dried wood) at 10 to 15 percent moisture, or partial drying (half-dry wood).
- Sizing: log length (25 cm, 33 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm) suited to the hearth. 33 cm is the standard format for most modern inserts and stoves.
Delivery area and terms
A national seller does not necessarily cover the whole of France with the same service quality. Parameters to verify:
- Geographic area served (filtered postcode or nationwide delivery)
- Delivery type (crane truck, electric pallet truck, drop at the gate or up to the storage area)
- Stated and respected lead times
- Delivery fees included or charged extra
- Option to pick up at a depot for customers close to an outlet
For pellets and compressed logs, film-wrapped pallets are now the standard. A pallet of 65 bags weighs about one tonne and requires HGV access or an electric pallet truck to the drop-off point.
Price transparency
A trustworthy seller clearly displays:
- The inclusive price per stere, per tonne or per pallet
- The exact packaging (number of bags, log length, apparent or real volume)
- Additional fees (delivery, pallet return, options)
- Return conditions for non-compliant products
Beware of prices that are too low: a stere of oak delivered below 70 euros in 2026 should raise questions. Either the wood is very wet, or the actual volume is lower than stated, or the species is not what is announced.
Main players on the French market
The French firewood market is shared between four types of players: online specialists, energy networks, DIY superstores and local producers. Each covers different use cases.
Online specialists
Several retailers specialise in remote sales of firewood, pellets and compressed logs:
- Simplyfeu: online supplier with nationwide delivery. Offers firewood in several drying levels (dry, half-dry, kiln-dried), pellets and compressed logs. Features a SimplyMixtes offer combining logs and compressed logs on a single pallet.
- Crépito: mainly focused on pellets and compressed logs, nationwide pallet delivery.
- Bois de Chauffage.net: a long-standing online seller, multi-species and multi-packaging catalogue.
- Bois-Bûche.com: log specialist, kiln-dried and naturally seasoned wood.
Pure players offer broad catalogues, easy comparison, visible customer reviews and transparent delivery. The downside is the lack of direct contact with the producer.
Energy networks and fuel distributors
- TotalEnergies Proxi-Chauffage: historic distribution network, originally oil-focused, now with wood energy offers.
- Combustibles Gruchy: regional player in Normandy and Hauts-de-France.
- Piveteau Bois, Simonin: manufacturers of compressed logs and pellets, sometimes accessible directly through reseller networks.
These players have strong logistics coverage in their historic area and often offer annual delivery contracts.
DIY superstores
Leroy Merlin, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Mr. Bricolage sell firewood, compressed logs and pellets both in store and online. Prices can be competitive on small volumes (bags, nets of 30 to 50 kg). The downside is the lack of large-volume delivery at most outlets, and limited traceability on the wood’s origin.
Local producers and sawmills
Local sawmills and forest operators are often the shortest and most economical channel for large volumes. The France Bois Bûche directory lists certified producers by region.
Advantages: price per stere 10 to 30 percent lower, full traceability, direct contact with the producer, flexibility on seasoning and sizing. Drawbacks: sometimes long drying times, delivery limited to the county or nearby region.
How to compare before buying
Before ordering, it is useful to check five elements across at least two or three suppliers. The table below sums up the points to compare.
Comparison criteria summary
| Criterion | What to check | Quality benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture content | Percentage, ideally certified | Below 20 percent for dry wood, 10 to 15 percent for kiln-dried |
| Certification | NF Bois de Chauffage, France Bois Bûche, DINplus for pellets | Verifiable logo on product sheet or invoice |
| Volume and sizing | Stere, apparent cubic metre, log length | 33 cm standard, 50 cm for older hearths |
| Delivered price (incl. VAT) | Price per stere or tonne, with or without delivery | Stere of dry oak delivered between 80 and 130 euros depending on region in 2026 |
| Customer reviews | Average rating and volume over 12 months | Over 100 recent reviews, rating above 4 out of 5 |
Certifications to know
Certifications are a minimum guarantee of quality. The three main ones in France:
- NF Bois de Chauffage: AFNOR standard regulating moisture content, authorised species, stated volume and commercial presentation.
- France Bois Bûche: collective mark of the French wood industry, guaranteeing origin and traceability.
- DINplus and ENplus: European certifications for wood pellets. A1 is the highest quality grade (ash content below 0.7 percent, moisture below 10 percent).
A direct impact on efficiency
“Firewood burned with a moisture content above 25 percent releases 30 to 40 percent less energy and emits up to twice as many fine particles as dry wood at 15 percent moisture.” — ADEME, Practical Guide Heating with Wood, 2024 edition
Fuel quality has a direct impact on the annual bill. A household burning 10 steres of dry wood at 15 percent moisture would need 13 to 14 steres of wood at 25 percent moisture for the same thermal comfort: the so-called bargain often becomes an overspend.
Practical tips for buying at the right time
Order off-season
Firewood prices vary strongly by season. Ordering between April and July allows paying 10 to 20 percent less per stere than in November and December, when stocks tighten.
For pellets, the rule is the same: prices rise in October with demand and stabilise around March. Ordering a pallet in May or June saves an average of 50 to 80 euros per tonne.
Anticipate drying
Wood bought half-dry or green must be stored outdoors, under a ventilated shelter, for one to two years before use. This option is cheaper at purchase but requires sufficient storage space and patience.
Conversely, kiln-dried wood is ready to burn on delivery. The 30 to 50 percent surcharge is justified if the need is immediate or storage space is limited.
Pool orders
On large volumes (over 10 steres or several tonnes of pellets), a preferential rate can often be negotiated or delivery pooled with neighbours to share costs. Many local producers accept grouped orders on the same round.
Check on delivery
On delivery day, a few simple checks avoid unpleasant surprises:
- Measure the apparent volume: the stack should match the stated volume with a 5 percent tolerance
- Check moisture content on several logs: a pin-type moisture meter costs less than 30 euros
- Verify the species delivered: a good seller delivers what was ordered, without opportunistic substitution
- Keep the invoice and product sheet for any claim
In case of non-compliance, the customer has 14 days to exercise the right of withdrawal on an online order, and can refuse delivery on site if the product is clearly different from the description.
Going further
Fuel choice is only one lever among others. Good home thermal insulation reduces by 25 to 40 percent the amount of wood needed to heat the same area. Guides in the Renovation category complement the analysis on the building envelope, while the Heating category gathers analyses dedicated to each fuel (firewood, compressed logs, pellets).
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best firewood seller?
There is no single best seller. The right choice depends on the volume ordered, the region, the type of fuel required and the delivery deadlines. Online specialists such as Simplyfeu, Crépito or Bois de Chauffage.net cover the whole of France with a broad catalogue. Local producers certified France Bois Bûche often remain the most competitive on large volumes (over 10 steres). DIY superstores are useful for small quantities. In every case, the objective criteria are moisture content (below 20 percent for dry wood), certification, transparent delivered price and recent customer reviews.
How to recognise high quality firewood?
Quality firewood has a moisture content below 20 percent, ideally 15 to 18 percent for naturally seasoned wood and 10 to 15 percent for kiln-dried wood. It comes from a high calorific species such as oak, beech, hornbeam or ash, is consistently sized (33 cm being the standard length) and ideally carries an NF Bois de Chauffage or France Bois Bûche certification. Visually, dry wood shows star-shaped cracks at the ends of logs and produces a clear sound when two pieces are struck together.
Should I buy firewood online or from a local producer?
Both channels are complementary. The local producer offers a better price to quality ratio on large volumes (over 10 steres) and strong traceability, provided they operate within a reasonable delivery radius. Online sales are better suited to standardised orders, remote deliveries or purchases of wood pellets and compressed logs. The France Bois Bûche directory helps locate certified producers in each region.
When should I order firewood to pay less?
Prices are at their lowest between April and July, a low-demand period when producers seek to clear stock. Savings reach 10 to 20 percent compared with November and December prices. For wood pellets, the lowest price window is from March to June. Ordering early also allows time for additional seasoning if the wood is delivered half-dry.
Which certifications guarantee good firewood?
Three certifications are recognised in France. NF Bois de Chauffage (AFNOR standard) regulates moisture content, species and volume. France Bois Bûche is the collective mark of the French wood industry, guaranteeing origin and traceability. For wood pellets, DINplus and ENplus are the European standards, with A1 being the highest quality grade. The presence of one of these logos on the product sheet or invoice commits the seller to precise thresholds.
