Moving Glossary: French Moving Vocabulary for English Speakers

Moving in France comes with its own vocabulary — much of it specific to French regulations, administrative culture, and the moving industry's professional framework. This glossary covers the 30 essential terms.

A

ASTT — Autorisation de Stationnement Temporaire pour Travaux. A temporary parking permit issued by the local mairie to reserve street space for the moving truck. Mandatory in Paris and most French city centers. Requires 10 business days' notice.

Avis de passage — Notice left when a delivery or pickup couldn't be completed.

B

Bordereau de livraison — Delivery receipt signed by the client confirming goods have been delivered. Triggers the final invoice.

C

Cartons — Moving boxes. French movers commonly offer standard (50L), books (35L), and wardrobe (with hanging rail).

CGV — Conditions Générales de Vente. The mover's terms and conditions, attached to every quote and contract.

Crit'Air — Air quality vehicle classification (1 to 5, plus electric). Determines whether a vehicle can enter a low-emission zone (ZFE).

D

Déménageur — Mover. A déménageur professionnel is a licensed moving company holding a transport licence (domestic or EU Community) and RC pro insurance.

Déménagement — Move/moving. Often used as a noun (un déménagement) referring to the entire relocation.

Devis — Quote. A written, dated, and signed estimate that becomes legally binding once accepted by the client.

E

Échoppes bordelaises — Traditional low-rise Bordeaux houses with a patio, common in central Bordeaux. Often constrain access for large trucks.

F

FAIM / FIDI — International moving quality certifications. FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover) is the global gold standard for international household goods relocation.

Forfait — Fixed-price package. A forfait déménagement is an all-inclusive quote covering labor, truck, fuel, insurance, and specified services.

G

Garde-meubles — Furniture storage warehouse. Can be self-storage or garde-meubles classique (mover-managed, climate-controlled).

H

Haussmannien — Buildings constructed during the Haussmann renovation of Paris (mid-19th century). Typically 5–7 floors with narrow staircases and high ceilings — often requiring a monte-meuble.

I

IBAN / RIB — Bank account details. The IBAN is international format; the RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) is the French document containing your IBAN and BIC.

ICR — Indemnité de Changement de Résidence. A relocation allowance paid by the French State to military personnel, gendarmes, and certain civil servants when transferred.

Inventaire — Inventory list of all items being moved. Required for accurate volume assessment and insurance.

K

Kbis — Official company registration document issued by the Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce. Proves a French company's legal existence. Less than 3 months old required.

L

Lettre de voiture — Bill of lading. The transport document that accompanies the goods during transit, required by transport regulations.

LOTI — Loi d'Orientation des Transports Intérieurs. The 1982 French law that historically established road transport licensing — you will still hear movers talk about a licence LOTI. The framework has since been codified into the Code des transports: the current system distinguishes the domestic transport licence (vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes) from the EU Community licence (heavier vehicles), both issued by the DREAL and recorded in the national register of transport companies.

M

Mairie — Town hall. The administrative unit that issues ASTT permits and many other local authorizations.

Médiation — Consumer mediation. French law requires every mover to offer access to a médiateur de la consommation for dispute resolution.

Monte-meuble — External furniture lift mounted on a truck, used to move large items through windows or balconies when stairs are too narrow.

R

RC pro — Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle. Professional liability insurance, mandatory for licensed movers.

S

SIRET / SIREN — French business identification numbers. SIREN identifies the company (9 digits); SIRET identifies a specific business location (14 digits). Always shown on quotes and invoices.

U

URSSAF — French social security collection agency. An attestation URSSAF à jour confirms the company is up to date on its social contributions.

V

Valeur déclarée — Declared value of the goods being moved. Determines the mover's insurance liability cap. French standard: typically €23/kg or contract-specified amount.

Volumétrie — Volume assessment, expressed in cubic meters (m³). The basis for all moving quotes in France.

Z

ZFE — Zone à Faibles Émissions. Low-emission zone restricting access by vehicle pollution class. Active in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Grenoble, Rouen, Strasbourg, and other large French cities.