CGV Particuliers Template for France

CGV Particuliers (Conditions Générales de Vente aux Particuliers) are legally required terms and conditions that govern commercial relationships between professional sellers and individual consumers in France. These documents serve as the contractual foundation for retail transactions, establishing rights and obligations for both parties while ensuring compliance with French consumer protection laws.

When do you need this document?

You need CGV Particuliers whenever you sell goods or services to individual consumers as a professional entity in France. This applies to both online and physical retail operations, including e-commerce websites, boutiques, restaurants, and service providers. The document is mandatory for any business-to-consumer transaction and must be provided before the consumer commits to a purchase. Whether you're launching a new retail business, updating existing terms, or expanding into the French market, properly drafted CGV Particuliers are essential for legal compliance and customer transparency.

Key legal considerations

Your CGV Particuliers must include specific mandatory information under French law, including clear identification of your business, detailed product or service descriptions, and transparent pricing including all taxes and fees. You must specify delivery conditions, payment terms, and customer service contact information. The withdrawal right (droit de rétractation) is particularly crucial, giving consumers 14 days to cancel most purchases without justification. Warranty conditions, liability limitations, and dispute resolution procedures must be clearly stated. The terms must be written in French and use plain language accessible to average consumers. Any unfair contract terms that create significant imbalance between your rights and consumer rights are prohibited under the Code de la Consommation.

Legal requirements in France

French law imposes strict requirements on CGV Particuliers through the Code de la Consommation and implementing regulations. The terms must be communicated to consumers before contract formation and be easily accessible throughout the purchasing process. For online sales, this means displaying terms prominently on your website with a checkbox confirmation during checkout. The Loi Hamon reinforces consumer protection, particularly regarding withdrawal rights and automatic contract renewals. GDPR compliance is mandatory when collecting customer data, requiring clear privacy policies and consent mechanisms. Pricing must be displayed in euros with all taxes included, and any additional fees must be clearly disclosed. The terms must specify dispute resolution options, including access to consumer mediation services as required by French law. Non-compliance can result in administrative fines and nullification of unfavorable clauses.