How Long Is the Withdrawal Period in France?

In France the standard withdrawal period is 14 days. This comes from the Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU), which France has transposed into its national Code de la consommation. For most distance contracts — that is, ordinary online sales — a French consumer may change their mind within that window and return the goods for a refund without giving a reason.

When the clock starts

The 14 days do not run from the order date. For a sale of goods, the period generally starts on the day the consumer — or a third party they nominate — takes physical possession of the goods. In other words, delivery is the trigger. This matters at checkout, because a customer who receives their parcel later than expected also gets their withdrawal window later than you might assume.

How the period can stretch to 12 months

The 14-day figure assumes you have properly informed the consumer about the withdrawal right. If you fail to provide that information, the period is extended by up to 12 months. For a French store, this means the safest approach is to present the right, its conditions and the model withdrawal form clearly and in French, before the order is placed and again on a durable medium such as the confirmation email.

• Standard period: 14 days from delivery of the goods.
• If withdrawal information is missing: extended by up to 12 months.
• Enforcement in France is overseen nationally, notably by the DGCCRF.

For the full picture, see our complete withdrawal button guide and the withdrawal-button law page.

This answer is educational and does not constitute legal advice.