Supply difficulties are increasing at French gas stations.
According to the government’s official chart, 16 % of stations were out of at least one major type of fuel at 9 a.m. this Monday, September 21, 2026, i.e., nearly one in six stations.
The Economy Minister Roland Lescure, for his part, cited a rate of 17 % in the morning. Importantly, according to him, 91 % of the affected stations belong to the TotalEnergies network.
The Essentials
16 % of stations are officially in difficulty as of 9 a.m. on September 21. This does not mean they are completely “dry”: a station is counted as being in difficulty when it no longer has diesel and/or none of the fuels it distributes.
The government assures that France’s strategic stocks are full and says it has a visibility of six to eight weeks on supplies.
From 11% to almost one in six in a few days
Tensions intensified rapidly. On the morning of September 18, about 11 % of the stations monitored by the state were experiencing supply difficulties. The rate then rose to 17 % on September 20 at 5 p.m., before returning to 16 % on Monday, September 21 at 9 a.m. on the official chart.
The ministry monitors daily around 9,900 service stations distributing gasoline or diesel. The data are based on statements made by the operators themselves.
“In difficulty” does not mean completely out of fuel
That is the essential nuance for correctly interpreting the 16% figure.
For gasoline, a station is considered out of stock only when it no longer has any of the fuels it distributes among the SP95-E10, SP95 and SP98. If even one of these fuels remains available, the station is not classified as being out of gasoline.
A station can also be short on diesel while continuing to sell gasoline, or vice versa. Finally, a station temporarily closed for a reason independent of its supply is not included in the calculation.
91 % of shortages concentrated in TotalEnergies, according to the minister
This is the element that significantly changes how the situation is read. Roland Lescure stated on Monday that 91 % of stations missing at least one fuel belonged to the TotalEnergies network.
The minister attributes this concentration to the group’s pricing policy, which attracts more motorists to its pumps.
Since July 22, TotalEnergies has capped the price per liter of gasoline at 1.99 euros and diesel at 2.25 euros in metropolitan France. By comparison, the national average price of diesel reached about 2.41 euros per liter on Sunday.
The price gap can therefore reach roughly fifteen cents or more per liter for diesel. According to the government’s analysis, the influx of motorists to capped stations speeds up the consumption of their stocks before replenishment.
Pays de la Loire and Grand Est among the hardest hit
Difficulties are very unevenly distributed across the country. At 9 a.m. on Monday, the Pays de la Loire recorded the region’s highest rate, with 20 % of stations affected. The Grand Est followed at 19 %.
| Region | Stations in difficulty |
| Pays de la Loire | 20 % |
| Grand Est | 19 % |
| Centre-Val de Loire | 18 % |
| Île-de-France | 18 % |
| Normandie | 18 % |
| Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | 13 % |
| Corse | 0 % |
Official data as of 9 a.m. on September 21, 2026. Percentages can evolve quickly as replenishments occur and operators’ declarations are updated.
Paris assures there is no national shortage
Despite local shortages, the French government clearly distinguishes the current situation from a nationwide fuel shortage.
Roland Lescure states that France has full strategic stocks and that there is “no supply issue at this stage.” According to him, authorities have a clear visibility over the six to eight weeks.
The minister warns, however, that the situation beyond this period will depend on how the conflict in the Middle East evolves and on tensions affecting global flows of oil and refined products.
Two meetings at Matignon and no general tax cuts
Two meetings are being held this Monday at Matignon. The first focuses on oil and gas supplies. The second is to examine measures to support households facing the surge in pump prices.
The government is working on new targeted aid, particularly for French people who are forced to use their vehicle heavily for work. Conversely, Roland Lescure ruled out a general reduction of fuel taxes.
French in Tunisia and the diaspora: check before hitting the road
For Tunisians residing in France or those who must travel there, the short-term risk is thus less about finding no fuel in a region than encountering a station temporarily out of stock, particularly on certain routes or in the most heavily used networks.
The official site prix-carburants.gouv.fr allows you to verify prices and the declared availability of fuels station by station. As the data are updated by operators, they help avoid unnecessary detours to a station flagged as out of stock.
What to remember
France is indeed experiencing a rapid rise in local shortages: 16 % of stations were officially in difficulty at 9 a.m. on Monday. But this proportion does not mean that one in six stations has no fuel at all. The situation is also heavily concentrated at TotalEnergies, according to the economy minister, while the government says it has sufficient stocks in the short term.
