Cakedesk

Write invoices in French

When billing French-speaking clients, invoices written in French help avoid confusion and make payment smoother.

Cakedesk lets you write invoices in French using correct wording, familiar structure, and local formatting, without having to translate or adapt documents manually.

#Who typically accepts French invoices?

French invoices (factures) are commonly expected by clients in French-speaking countries such as France, Belgium, Switzerland, and parts of Canada.

Typical recipients include:

  • Small and mid-sized businesses in francophone regions
  • Corporate clients that require invoices in the local language
  • Public sector organizations and regulated industries
  • Established companies with internal accounting in French

For EU- or US-based businesses, issuing invoices in French often reduces back-and-forth with accounting teams and helps ensure faster approval and payment, even when communication happens in English.

#Common invoice terminology in French

French invoices use well-established terminology. Common terms include:

  • Invoice → Facture
  • Invoice number → Numéro de facture
  • Invoice date → Date de facturation
  • Due date → Date d’échéance
  • Net amount → Montant hors taxes (HT)
  • VAT → TVA
  • Gross amount → Montant toutes taxes comprises (TTC)
  • Total due → Total à payer

Using these terms helps invoices feel familiar and compliant to French-speaking clients.

#Formatting conventions in French invoices

French invoices follow clear formatting rules:

  • Date format: DD/MM/YYYY
  • Decimal separator: comma
  • Thousands separator: space
  • Currency: € after the amount
  • Paper size: A4

These conventions are widely expected and help avoid misunderstandings in accounting.

#Structure of a typical French invoice

A French invoice usually includes:

  • Clear identification as a facture
  • Unique invoice number
  • Invoice and due dates
  • Line items with prices
  • Totals shown as HT, TVA, and TTC

A clear structure makes invoices easier to process and approve.

#Example invoice wording in French

Typical wording you might see on a French invoice:

  • Facture n° 2025-014 ("Invoice No. 2025-014")
  • Date de facturation : 12/03/2025 ("Invoice date: 12/03/2025")
  • Date d’échéance : 26/03/2025 ("Due date: 26/03/2025")
  • Montant total à payer : 1 200,00 € TTC ("Total due: €1,200.00 incl. tax")
  • Paiement sous 14 jours ("Payment due within 14 days")

#Writing French invoices with Cakedesk

Cakedesk helps you write invoices in French by:

  • Providing French invoice templates
  • Using correct terminology and formatting
  • Calculating totals automatically
  • Letting you issue invoices in French per client

Create invoices that look right to French-speaking clients, without extra work.