Conditions Générales de Vente Template for France

Conditions Générales de Vente (CGV) are mandatory legal documents that govern the sale of goods or services to consumers in France. These terms of sale establish the contractual relationship between you as a business and your customers, defining rights, obligations, and commercial conditions. Under French law, CGV must be clearly presented to consumers before any transaction and form an integral part of the sales contract.

When do you need this document?

You need CGV whenever you sell goods or services to consumers in France, whether through physical stores, online platforms, or direct sales. French law requires all businesses engaged in B2C transactions to have comprehensive terms of sale that comply with the Code de la Consommation. This applies to e-commerce websites, retail stores, service providers, and any business model involving consumer transactions. The document becomes essential when processing orders, managing customer relationships, or handling disputes, as it provides the legal foundation for your commercial operations.

Key legal considerations

Your CGV must include mandatory information specified by French consumer law, including complete business identification, product descriptions, pricing with all taxes, delivery conditions, and payment methods. The right of withdrawal (droit de rétractation) provisions are crucial, granting consumers 14 days to cancel online or distance purchases without justification. You must clearly outline warranty conditions, liability limitations, and dispute resolution procedures. Unfair contract terms are prohibited under French law, and any clauses creating significant imbalance between your rights and consumer rights may be deemed invalid. Ensure your CGV comply with GDPR requirements for data protection and include specific clauses about delivery delays, force majeure events, and contract termination conditions.

Legal requirements in France

The Code de la Consommation mandates that CGV be easily accessible and clearly presented before purchase confirmation. For online sales, terms must be available through a direct link and accepted by the consumer during the ordering process. Article L441-1 of the Code de commerce requires B2B transactions to reference CGV in contracts. The Loi Hamon strengthened consumer protection by extending withdrawal periods and imposing stricter information requirements. Your CGV must be written in French when targeting French consumers and include specific mentions required by law, such as mediation procedures for consumer disputes. European Directive 2011/83/EU provisions, transposed into French law, govern distance and off-premises contracts, requiring additional disclosures about digital content, delivery costs, and automatic subscription renewals.