Contrat CGV Template for France

When conducting business in France, you need a legally compliant Contrat CGV (Conditions Générales de Vente) to establish clear commercial relationships with your customers. This essential document governs the terms of sale between professionals and consumers, ensuring compliance with French commercial law while protecting both parties' interests.

When do you need this document?

You must establish CGV whenever you operate as a professional seller in France, whether through physical stores, e-commerce platforms, or service provision. The Code de commerce mandates that all professional vendors communicate their general terms of sale to buyers upon request. This requirement applies to retail businesses, online merchants, service providers, and B2B transactions. Your CGV becomes particularly crucial when dealing with consumer sales, as the Code de la Consommation provides additional protections that must be clearly outlined in your terms.

Key legal considerations

Your Contrat CGV must include precise identification of both parties, detailed product or service descriptions, and transparent pricing including all taxes and delivery fees. Payment terms and conditions must be clearly specified, along with delivery timeframes and geographical coverage. The right of withdrawal (droit de rétractation) is mandatory for distance and off-premises contracts, giving consumers 14 days to cancel purchases. You must also address liability limitations, dispute resolution procedures, and data protection measures in compliance with RGPD. Force majeure clauses and contract modification terms provide additional legal protection while ensuring fairness to consumers.

Legal requirements in France

French law requires strict compliance with multiple regulations governing CGV. The Code Civil establishes fundamental contractual obligations and good faith principles. The Code de la Consommation mandates specific consumer protections, including clear pre-contractual information, standardized withdrawal forms, and prohibitions on abusive clauses. The Loi Hamon strengthens consumer rights, particularly regarding online purchases and automatic contract renewals. European Directive 2011/83/EU, transposed into French law, harmonizes consumer rights across the EU. For digital services, you must comply with RGPD data protection requirements, clearly stating how personal information is collected, processed, and stored. Your CGV must be easily accessible, written in clear French, and prominently displayed before contract conclusion.