The decision, which could cause concern to inattentive spouses across France, was accompanied by a payment of €10,000 ($14,000) in damages from the man to his former wife, according to newspaper Aujourd’hui.

The 51-year-old man, only known as Jean-Louis G., claimed that sex “simply became less frequent over time”. He said he had health problems and was tired by his job.

The court of appeal in the southern town of Aix-en-Provence was not convinced by the man’s excuses.

“Jean-Louis G. could not offer any justification for the health problems that made it impossible for him to have sexual relations with his wife,” the court said.

The court went on to say that there are certain “marriage requirements” and that “sexual relations between spouses are the expression of affection that they have for each other.”

After a lengthy legal battle that began in 2009, the case has finally come to a conclusion and Jean-Louis G. will be required to pay the compensation to his sex-starved former wife, Monique.

Aujourd’hui reports that the court did not give any guidance on what level of sexual relations are deemed sufficient and whether the reported French average of twice a week is enough to prevent future spouses from falling foul of the law.

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