Consumer: templates and forms

For a passenger whose flight departing from the EU, or arriving in the EU on an EU airline, arrived three hours or more late, was cancelled less than fourteen days before departure, or who was denied boarding. You ask the airline for the flat-rate compensation of €250, €400 or €600 per passenger under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, and for your expenses. Without a satisfactory answer, mediation has been compulsory before going to a French court since 7 February 2026. The airline's online form works too. In French.

For a traveller whose package holiday (flight and hotel, tour, resort) bought in France did not go as planned: a different hotel, missing services, cancelled transfers. The organiser and the retailer are strictly liable for performance of the package (Article L. 211-16 of the French Tourism Code); you ask for a price reduction for the period of non-conformity and damages (Article L. 211-17). The letter states whether you reported the problems on the spot. In French, to send by registered post with proof of receipt after your return.

For a subscriber to a gym, magazine, streaming service or club in France who wants to stop. As you choose: cancellation at the end of the term with the contract's notice; free cancellation at any time when the business did not remind you, one to three months before the end of the term, of your right not to renew (the loi Chatel, Article L. 215-1 of the French Consumer Code); or cancellation for a legitimate reason the contract provides for. For a subscription taken out online, the 'cancel' button is often quicker. In French, to send by registered post with proof of receipt.

For a private policyholder in France who wants to leave an insurer or mutual insurer. After a year, car insurance and a tenant's home insurance are cancelled by the new insurer, and a policy taken out online can also be cancelled online. This letter offers, as you choose: cancellation at any time, after a year, of another policy, such as supplementary health cover, effective one month after receipt (Article L. 113-15-2 of the French Insurance Code; Article L. 221-10-2 of the Mutual Insurance Code); cancellation at the annual renewal date; or cancellation of loan insurance at any time, with the lender's approval of the new policy (loi Lemoine). In French.

For a broadband, landline or mobile customer in France who wants to complain about a failing service or a bill, or to end the contract. As you choose: a complaint, a termination, which takes effect at the latest ten days after receipt (Article L. 224-39 of the French Consumer Code), or a termination without penalty after a change to the contract, within four months (Article L. 224-33). If you switch operator and keep your number, the new operator ends the old contract for you. In French, to send by registered post with proof of receipt.

For a consumer in France whose order never arrived, arrived late or shows as 'delivered' without being received. The letter goes to the seller, not the carrier: the seller answers for the goods until you receive them. You choose either to give the seller formal notice to deliver within an extra period or, once that period has passed, to notify the end of the contract; the seller must then refund everything paid within 14 days (Articles L. 216-6 and L. 216-7 of the French Consumer Code). In French, to send by registered post with proof of receipt.

For a consumer in France whose faulty item was not repaired or replaced: the seller refused, did nothing within thirty days, the defect persists after repair, or it is too serious to wait. You choose between ending the sale, with the price refunded against return of the item, and a price reduction while keeping it (Article L. 217-14 of the French Consumer Code). In French, to send by registered post with proof of receipt, with the proof of purchase and your first request.

For a consumer in France who bought online, by phone, from a catalogue or from a doorstep seller and has changed their mind: you withdraw within 14 days without giving reasons under Article L. 221-18 of the French Consumer Code, and ask for everything you paid back within 14 days. The model withdrawal form, which the seller must give you free, works too, and since 19 June 2026 online shops must offer a withdrawal function. A letter in French, to send by registered post with proof of receipt or by e-mail so that you keep proof.