Subsection 1: Application for authorisation

Articles in this section · 4

Article A752-4

French Commercial codeIn force

Updated 3 Nov 2023

I. - The summary table of the characteristics of the project, referred to in articles R. 752-16, R. 752-38 and R. 752-44, a model of which is shown in Appendix 7-9 to this book, is completed by the commercial development commission that issued the favourable opinion or the commercial development authorisation decision to which or to which it is attached.


It contains all the characteristic elements of the authorised commercial development project to enable the conformity of the project with the authorisation issued to be assessed.


I. It contains all the characteristic elements of the authorised retail development project to enable an assessment to be made of the project's compliance with the authorisation granted.


II. - The table comprises three parts, to be completed by the commercial development commission:


1° Characteristic features common to all retail facilities, presenting the current and post-project conditions: surface area and cadastral references of the site; access and egress points to and from the site; green spaces and permeable surfaces; renewable energy; other features intrinsic or related to the project specifically mentioned by the commission in its opinion or decision;



2° Character-defining features specific to shops and commercial complexes, presenting the current and post-project conditions: sales area and sectors of activity; parking capacity;



3° The specific characteristics of permanent points for the collection by customers of retail purchases ordered by telematic means, organised for access by car, presenting the current and post-project conditions: number of refuelling lanes and floor space allocated to the collection of goods. In the case of a retail complex comprising more than five retail units, each with a sales area of at least 300 square metres, the information required is provided on a separate sheet of paper, attached to the table, giving the full details of the committee that issued the opinion or decision, and the number and date of the favourable opinion or the decision granting permission to operate the retail unit.

Mariela Petrova

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Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

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Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

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