General terms and conditions of sale

The Alliance Française Montpellier is an association (law 1901), a non-profit organisation recognised by the Fondation Alliance Française, whose purpose is "to promote the practice and knowledge of the French language among French and international audiences by all appropriate means, teaching, discovery activities, meetings, exchanges, organisation of events, publications; to bring together all those who wish to contribute to this action; to contribute to the dialogue between cultures and to a better understanding between peoples.

As such, the Alliance Française de Montpellier offers French courses to foreign students and puts them in contact with other service providers, accommodation providers, organisers of cultural and sporting activities, etc.

The General Terms and Conditions of Sale of the Alliance Française de Montpellier are applicable to all courses and services (French courses, accommodation, activities...) of the Alliance Française Montpellier. They are applicable to the student if he/she subscribes directly to the services of the Alliance Française Montpellier or if he/she subscribes to the services through an intermediary or a third party payer (company, agent, etc.).
The Alliance Française Montpellier can be contacted by e-mail at info@af-montpellier.com or by telephone on +33 (0) 9 81 330 103.
By signing the registration form of the Alliance Française Montpellier, the student accepts without reserve the present General Conditions, as well as the special conditions.

By sending the registration form for a student, the intermediary or third party payer accepts without reservation the present General Terms and Conditions of Sale and the special conditions to which they refer.
When the specificities of the service subscribed by the student require it, the General Conditions are completed by Special Conditions which form with the present General Conditions an indissociable whole. In the event of contradiction between the two, the Special Conditions shall prevail over the General Conditions.

1 - CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION
To be admitted to the Alliance Française Montpellier, the student must be at least 18 years old or 16 years old if he/she has parental authorisation. It is the student’s responsibility to proceed with the administrative formalities to obtain a visa or a residence permit.
The Alliance Française Montpellier is not obliged to provide any information about obtaining visas or residence permits.
The Alliance Française Montpellier cannot be held responsible for any difficulties in obtaining a visa or residence permit upon presentation of a certificate of pre-registration or registration in one of its courses or programmes.

2 - FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
Participation in the services provided by the Alliance Française de Montpellier requires the payment of the following fees in Euros:
2.1. Registration fees : which does not count as a membership to the association, it consists of a lump sum due by the student for his/her registration at the Alliance Française Montpellier. The fees are due only once per one (1) year period.
2.2 Tuition fees: the tuition fees correspond to the prices displayed by the Alliance Française Montpellier through the brochures, leaflets, website and are specified for each student in the Special Conditions.
A deposit of 50% of the total amount due is requested at the time of booking by the student.
The student will pay the full amount due to the Alliance Française de Montpellier at least three (3) weeks before the beginning of the course or at least three (3) weeks before the arrival in the accommodation, if applicable.
Public holidays do not give rise to reductions, refunds or postponements.
2.3 Teaching materials: the tuition fee does not include the provision of books and exercise books. Therefore it includes the access to our online platform.
2.4 Cancellation fees: if the student takes the initiative to cancel the services booked after the period allowed for his/her right of withdrawal as provided for in article L. 221-18 of the French Consumer Code, the Alliance Française Montpellier will charge cancellation fees in accordance with the provisions of article 6 of the General Conditions.
2.5 Bank and inter-bank charges: bank and inter-bank charges incurred by the Alliance Française de Montpellier will be charged to the student. They will be invoiced and due by the student to the Alliance Française de Montpellier, when the student is the payer. They will be invoiced and due by the third party payer, in other cases.

2.6 Residence permits: students who apply for a long stay visa to study in France, must pay half of the registration fees for their course at the time of registration and the totality of their registration fees for the total duration of their course before their arrival, at the rate of twenty (20) hours minimum per week, in accordance with the requirements of the Prefecture of Hérault.

3 - PAYMENT
3.1 Payment of tuition fees, application fees and, if applicable, accommodation fees must be made in Euros.
It can be made :
by bank cheque endorsed in France
by bank transfer to the account of the Alliance française de Montpellier (please specify the student’s name on the transfer)
by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Eurocard),
in cash (Euros only)
E-mail address: info@af-montpellier.com.
Postal address: Alliance française de Montpellier - 17, rue Marceau - 34000 Montpellier.
3.2 In case of late payment, the student’s place in the chosen course is not guaranteed.

4 - REGISTRATION FORMALITIES
4.1 Formalities for adult students
The student can register in one of the following ways
online on the Alliance Française de Montpellier website
by e-mail or post
in person at the registration department, in which case he/she does not benefit from the right of withdrawal of articles L. 221-1 et seq. of the French Consumer Code.
He/she must :
 Choose their courses
 Read and accept the General Terms and Conditions of Sale and the annexes
 Pay 50% of the sums due for the service or the totality of the application fees, the tuition fees and, if applicable, the accommodation fees.
Whatever the chosen method of enrolment, the student must go to the reception desk of the Alliance Française de Montpellier on the first day of the course, with the following documents
 An identity document (identity card, residence permit or passport with a visa covering the duration of the studies);
 A passport photo;
 A parental authorisation for candidates aged 16 to 17;
 If applicable, the receipt of payment of the deposit on the registration fees or the receipt of payment of the full tuition fees or the registration certificate.
4.2 Specific formalities for underage students
Students under eighteen (18) years of age on the first day of the course must provide the registration service of the Alliance Française Montpellier with a parental authorisation and a copy of their parents’ insurance certificate. Failure to do so will result in the registration not being taken into account and the services ordered not being carried out.
4.3 Specific formalities for students who are not nationals of the European Economic Area
In accordance with the provisions of French and European regulations
students who are not nationals of the European Economic Area are subject to special admission conditions when the duration of their stay exceeds three (3) months.
4.3.1 The pre-registration certificate
Students wishing to study at the Alliance Française Montpellier must attach a "pre-registration certificate" to their visa application. This document is only issued to the student if 50% of the tuition fees have been paid. This lump sum, paid by bank transfer, is nominative. The pre-registration certificate is issued intuitu personae and cannot be transferred to another student (in particular in case of visa refusal).
4.3.2 Final registration
Alliance Française Montpellier will proceed with the final registration of the student upon presentation of the visa issued by the consulate of his/her country of origin (covering the whole period of study) and the payment of the balance of the tuition fees.
5 - RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL
When the student registers by correspondence or online, he/she has a right of withdrawal of fourteen (14) clear days without having to justify the reason. This withdrawal period starts from the date of acceptance by the student of these General Conditions. When the fourteen (14) day period expires on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, it is extended until the next working day. The student wishing to make use of his/her right of withdrawal should preferably send his/her intention to withdraw to the following address Alliance Française Montpellier - 17, rue Marceau - 34000 Montpellier.
A withdrawal form is provided at the end of these general conditions of sale.
In accordance with the provisions of article L. 221-28 of the French Consumer Code, "the right of withdrawal cannot be exercised for contracts [...]12° for the provision of accommodation services, other than residential accommodation, goods transport services, car hire, catering or leisure activities which must be provided on a specific date or during a specific period". This right of withdrawal therefore does not apply to accommodation, cultural or sporting activities which remain due, notwithstanding any withdrawal.

6 - POSTPONEMENT/CANCELLATION
Any request for postponement or cancellation or for reimbursement of the sums advanced must be made in writing to the Alliance Française Montpellier (by post or e-mail). Cancellation and reimbursement procedures depend on certain criteria detailed below
6.1 Postponement and cancellation for covid19 reasons
If the student is unable to travel to France due to intergovernmental measures related to the health situation and the COVID-19 crisis, affected by confinement measures, an administrative travel limit or affected by the COVID-19 disease, he/she will be offered until D-2 before the date of arrival, with proof or attestation, 3 solutions detailed below:
Intergovernmental measures concerned: confinement in France or closure of French borders, or closure of the borders of the country of departure to France)
Excluding the period mentioned above, in case of cancellation of your booking, the general terms and conditions of sale apply.
All requests for cancellations and changes to bookings should be sent by email to the customer service department at: info@af-montpellier.com
If you have subscribed to the Serenity option as part of the Multirisk insurance, you can benefit from cancellation and reimbursement WITHOUT a justified reason. See details of the conditions on the insurance page
6.1.1 Postponement of the course or stay to a later date without charge
The student may exceptionally postpone his or her course or stay free of charge up to 12 months after the start date of the course initially booked. The enrolment fee remains valid for 12 months from the date of the originally booked stay.
6.1.2. 12-month credit note valid for the purchase of all courses and packages
The student will be able to use the money paid for the course, accommodation and activities for any other course or package (course + accommodation, course + accommodation + activities) of the Alliance Française de Montpellier for a period of 12 months after the start date of the course initially booked. The registration fee remains valid for one year from the initial course start date.
6.1.3. Refunds
The student may, if he/she so wishes, request a refund of his/her tuition fees and the amounts paid for accommodation and activities to the Alliance Française Montpellier, less administrative fees.
In addition, bank and inter-bank charges incurred by the Alliance Française Montpellier are to be paid by the student. A fixed amount of 40€ will be charged and due by the student to the Alliance Française de Montpellier for interbank transfers and 25€ for credit card payments.
6.2 Postponement for any other period or reason
Any deferral granted is non-refundable and non-transferable to other students’ accounts.
6.2.1 Before the start of the course
The student will be entitled to defer enrolment in the course for a maximum of six (6) months. Except in cases of force majeure, only one postponement is authorised, subject to receipt by the Alliance Française de Montpellier of a written request at least fifteen (15) working days before the date initially planned for the start of the course.
6.2.2 After the start of the course
Once the course has started, and in the event of absence from one or more courses, no postponement will be accepted for any reason whatsoever, except for reasons of force majeure or serious illness and/or incapacity duly justified by a medical certificate, preventing the student from attending the course for a period of more than four (4) consecutive weeks. The postponement will take place within a period limited to six (6) months after the date of interruption of the course. An administrative fee of €40 will be charged to the student for each request for deferral.
6.3 Cancellation at the student’s initiative
6.3.1 Cancellation before the start of the course
The following stipulations apply except in the event of application of the provisions of article L. 221-18 of the Consumer Code relating to the right of withdrawal.
In the event of cancellation by the student before the start of the course, the Alliance Française Montpellier will reimburse the full amount paid by the student, less a lump sum covering the various costs incurred by the Alliance Française Montpellier for this cancellation, including when the cancellation is based on a visa refusal.
In addition, bank and inter-bank charges incurred by the Alliance Française de Montpellier are to be paid by the student. A fixed amount of 40€ will be charged and paid by the student to the Alliance Française Montpellier for interbank transfers and 25€ for credit card payments.
6.3.1.1 The student buys language courses to the exclusion of any other service
If the cancellation request is made more than three weeks, i.e. twenty-one (21) working days, before the start of the course, the cancellation fee is one hundred and fifty (150) Euros.
If the cancellation request is made less than three weeks, i.e. twenty-one (21) working days, before the start of the course, the cancellation fee is two hundred and fifty (250) Euros.
6.3.1.2 The student buys several services
If the cancellation request is received by the Alliance française Montpellier more than 3 weeks before the planned start date of the course or the start date of the service (or before the date of arrival in the accommodation if the student has booked accommodation), the cancellation fee is two hundred (200) Euros.
If the cancellation request is received by the Alliance française Montpellier less than 3 weeks before the planned start date of the course (or before the arrival date in the accommodation if the student has booked accommodation), the cancellation fee is two hundred and fifty (250) Euros.
If the cancellation request is received by the Alliance française Montpellier less than eight (8) days before the planned start of the course (or before the date of arrival in the accommodation if the student has booked accommodation), the cancellation fee is two hundred and fifty (250) Euros plus the amount paid for the first week of accommodation.
6.3.1.3 Refusal of visa
The refusal to issue a visa must be justified by the student.
The cancellation fee of 250€ will be deducted from the refund amount.
6.3.2 Cancellation or modification of a course after the start of the course
No postponement or reimbursement will be accepted from the date on which the services (course and/or accommodation) have begun to be provided, and in the event of absence from one or more courses.
However, in the event of force majeure, serious illness and/or incapacity duly justified by a medical certificate, preventing the student from attending the course for more than four (4) consecutive weeks, the student may request
either the reimbursement of the tuition and accommodation fees prorata temporis, excluding the application fees which remain the property of the Alliance Française de Montpellier:
or the postponement of these courses for a period limited to six (6) months after the date of interruption of the courses.
6.3.4 Modification of the type of course
The student may not change his/her course or accommodation arrangements once the course has started. If the Alliance Française accepts this change, it will not give rise to a refund if the second service is less expensive than the first. A change of course type made for convenience and not for pedagogical needs will be charged at 40€ to the student.
6.4 Cancellation at the initiative of Alliance Française Montpellier
Alliance Française Montpellier reserves the right to cancel a course if there are not enough students. However, Alliance Française Montpellier commits itself to offering the student another course of equivalent level.
In the event that another course of equivalent level cannot be offered, the totality of the corresponding tuition fees will be refunded to the student. If the cancellation affects all the courses chosen by the student, the application fee will also be refunded.
6.5. Modification of the course calendar by Alliance française Montpellier
In any case, Alliance Française de Montpellier reserves the right to modify, if necessary, the timetable and the course calendar, provided that the student is informed in advance, up to the day before the day of the course for which the timetable is modified.

7 - INSURANCE
Students are responsible for their own health, accident and civil liability insurance.
The Alliance Française declines all responsibility in case of loss, theft or damage to the student’s personal belongings occurring on the Alliance premises or at the student’s accommodation or in the framework of cultural or sports activities organised by the Alliance Française de Montpellier for which the fault of the Alliance Française would not be established.
Health, accident and civil liability insurance as well as cancellation insurance (such as "Student Travel Insurance") must be taken out by the student him/herself.
Students who are minors must present a copy of their insurance certificate at the time of registration.
In accordance with article R. 111-2 of the French Consumer Code, the Alliance française de Montpellier informs the student that it is insured by :
Generali Iard -Cabinet Schneider
16 COURS GAMBETTA
34000 MONTPELLIER

8 - ACCOMMODATION
The conditions of the offer relating to the accommodation formulas are transmitted on request and can be consulted on the website of the Alliance française de Montpellier.

9 - EXCLUSION
In case of breach of the Alliance Française de Montpellier’s internal rules by the student, the Alliance Française de Montpellier reserves the right to interrupt the student’s training. No refund will be due.

ANNEX 1

MODEL WITHDRAWAL FORM
(Please complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
For the attention of Alliance Française Montpellier, 17 rue Marceau, 34000 Montpellier :
I/We hereby notify you of my/our withdrawal from the contract for the sale of the following goods/services:
Ordered on / received on :
Name of consumer(s) :
Address of consumer(s) :
Signature of the consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper) :
Date :

Version of 14 May 2021