Deposits in France: Arrhes or Acompte When Booking a Supplier

When you book a DJ, caterer or photographer in France, the money you pay upfront is usually called either arrhes or an acompte – and the difference matters. Both translate loosely as "deposit", but arrhes let either side back out (you lose the money, or the supplier pays you back double), while an acompte is a firm commitment on both sides. If the contract doesn't say which it is, French law generally treats the payment as arrhes. Here is what that means for deposits in France and how to protect yourself.

This article is general information, not legal advice. If you are in a dispute, contact a consumer association or a legal professional.

Two French words for "deposit"

English uses one word where French uses two, with very different consequences. It's worth learning both before you sign anything.

Arrhes

Arrhes are a booking payment that gives each party the option to change their mind, at a price:

• if you cancel, you lose the arrhes you paid;
• if the supplier cancels, they must pay you back twice the amount.

Acompte

An acompte is a first instalment of the total price. It signals that both sides are firmly committed:

• you can't simply walk away by giving up the acompte – in principle, the supplier can ask you to pay the full price, or claim damages;
• the supplier, for their part, must provide the service, or they may owe you damages too.

The default rule under French consumer law

What if the quote (devis) or contract doesn't use either word? The French Consumer Code (Code de la consommation, articles L214-1 and L214-2) says that, unless the contract states otherwise, sums paid in advance on a contract between a business and a consumer are arrhes.

So a quote that just mentions a "payment on booking" (versement à la réservation) is, in principle, asking for arrhes. If the contract clearly says acompte, the acompte rules apply instead.

The French consumer magazine Que Choisir explains these rules on its page Arrhes, acompte et avoir (in French). The government consumer protection authority, the DGCCRF, also publishes practical fact sheets.

What happens if someone cancels

The table below sums up the general position when the contract has no specific cancellation clause.

Bear in mind that many suppliers set out their own cancellation conditions (conditions d'annulation) in the quote, such as a partial refund depending on how far ahead you cancel. Read those first: they tell you what the contract actually provides.

Reading the wording on a French quote

Before you sign, look through the quote and any terms and conditions (conditions générales de vente, or CGV) for:

• The word used: arrhes, acompte, or something neutral like versement à la réservation. If it's unclear, remember the default rule.
• The amount and timing: what you pay now, and when the balance (solde) is due.
• Cancellation terms: deadlines, the percentage kept, and what counts as force majeure.
• What happens if the supplier drops out: a refund, or a replacement professional.

If anything is ambiguous, ask for clarification in writing before paying – an email is fine. A reputable supplier will be happy to explain. For the other things to check on a quote, see our guide on how to compare event supplier quotes.

Practical tips for booking safely

• Get everything in writing: a signed quote or contract, never just a verbal agreement. If your French is shaky, ask for the key terms in an email you can translate.
• Check the cancellation terms before paying anything, especially if your date or guest numbers aren't final yet.
• Pay by a traceable method: bank transfer, card or online payment. Avoid cash without a receipt.
• Keep every proof: the signed quote, invoices (factures), receipts and messages.
• Talk about changes early: if you know plans might shift, raise it with the supplier from the start.

These habits apply to every type of supplier, and matter most for the big items in a wedding budget in France, such as the venue or caterer.

Booking through Eventéo

On Eventéo you can book in one of two ways. With a direct booking, you pay the supplier yourself as agreed with them and Eventéo simply records the booking: the terms in the supplier's quote apply, so checking whether it says arrhes or acompte matters all the more. Where the supplier offers it, you can instead choose protected payment: you pay a deposit of 20–50% of the price, set in the quote, plus a 5% service fee, and the balance is charged automatically 7 days before the event.

With protected payment, the cancellation conditions are shown before you pay, so you know exactly what you're agreeing to – in clear terms, without having to decode French legal vocabulary. If the supplier cancels or doesn't show up, Eventéo refunds you in full straight away, fee included. Every supplier is checked before their profile goes live, including their SIRET number (French business registration) and RC Pro (professional liability insurance).

The bottom line

Three things to remember: arrhes let either side pull out at a cost, an acompte is a firm commitment, and if the contract is silent, an advance payment is generally treated as arrhes. Whatever the wording, read the cancellation conditions and keep a record of every payment.

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