Cakedesk

Write proposals in French

When working with French-speaking clients, proposals written in French help set clear expectations and build trust before any work begins.

Cakedesk lets you write proposals in French using natural phrasing, correct structure, and consistent formatting.

#Who typically accepts French proposals?

French proposals ("devis") are commonly accepted 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 formal documentation in French
  • Public sector organizations and regulated industries
  • Established companies that expect proposals to follow local conventions

For EU- or US-based businesses, providing a proposal in French often makes collaboration smoother and increases trust, even when day-to-day communication happens in English.

#Common proposal terminology in French

In French, proposals are typically called devis. Common terms include:

  • Proposal / Quote → Devis
  • Proposal date → Date du devis
  • Valid until → Valable jusqu’au
  • Scope of work → Description des prestations
  • Total price → Montant total
  • Acceptance → Bon pour accord

A devis is often formally accepted and sometimes signed before work starts.

#Formatting conventions in French proposals

Proposals usually follow the same formatting rules as invoices:

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

Consistency with invoices is generally expected.

#Structure of a typical French proposal

A French proposal often includes:

  • Clear identification as a devis
  • Description of services or deliverables
  • Pricing breakdown (often HT and TTC)
  • Validity period
  • Acceptance section (Bon pour accord)

This structure helps avoid misunderstandings later on.

#Example proposal wording in French

Typical wording you might see in a French proposal:

  • Devis n° 2025-008 ("Proposal No. 2025-008")
  • Devis valable jusqu’au 30/03/2025 ("Proposal valid until 30/03/2025")
  • Description des prestations ("Description of services")
  • Montant total : 2 500,00 € HT ("Total amount: €2,500.00 excl. tax")
  • Bon pour accord, date et signature ("Accepted, date and signature")

#Writing French proposals with Cakedesk

Cakedesk helps you write proposals in French by:

  • Providing French proposal templates
  • Using correct terminology and structure
  • Handling pricing and totals automatically
  • Keeping proposals easy to edit and reuse

Create clear, professional proposals without overthinking the wording.