Writing a Cheque in France

You may be asking yourself, why are the French still using cheques? It’s true that many countries around the world have significantly reduced or phased out the use of cheques as a payment method, France is one of the few countries where cheques continue to be widely used. There are several reasons why this is the case:

1. It’s cultural: There is a long-standing tradition and cultural acceptance of using cheques as a payment method. Cheques have been used in the country for several decades, and many people, particularly older generations, are accustomed to their use.
2. Legal Framework: The French legal framework still supports the use of cheques. French law recognizes the cheque as a valid payment instrument, and it provides legal protection for both issuers and recipients of cheques.
3. Security and Trust: Cheques are believed to be a secure and trustworthy form of payment. In France, there is a system in place called “chèque certifié” (certified cheque), where the bank guarantees the payment by verifying the availability of funds and stamping the cheque. This gives assurance to recipients that the payment will be honored, which is particularly important for larger transactions.
4. Lack of Alternatives: While digital payment methods, such as credit/debit cards and electronic transfers, are widely available in France, some individuals and businesses still prefer using cheques. This preference may be due to factors such as familiarity, the absence of transaction fees associated with cheques, or a lack of access to electronic payment infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
5. Adaptability: France has reduced the use of cheques over time, but the process is relatively slow compared to other countries. The French government has encouraged the shift towards electronic payments and has implemented measures to promote alternatives. However, changing deeply ingrained habits and transitioning an entire country’s payment culture takes time.

Writing a cheque in France is fairly easy.

All cheques are structured the same way. It’s also good to know that cheques are rarely used in France for daily purchases. However, it’s an option when renting an apartment for the security deposit. You may also need one for specific admin processes.

Good to know:

If you need help cashing a cheque, check out our article !

Here are the steps to writing a cheque in France:

1. The amount in letters
2. The name of the person you are paying
3. The amount in figures
4. The location
5. The date
6. Your signature

Tips : Writing numbers on a cheque

100 – CENT :

Cent ends with an “s” when it is preceded by a number that multiplies it, but it remains invariable if it is followed by another number or thousand. Be careful, we write deux cents millions (200 000 000) and deux cents milliard (200 000 000 000) because million and billion are common nouns.

Examples : 

• 110 : cent_ dix
• 200 : deux cents
• 210 : deux cent_ dix
• 100 000 : cent_ mille

1000 – MILLE :

• Mille is always invariable