General Terms and Conditions of Sale
Consumer Client
Notice. This English text is a courtesy translation provided for information only. The sole legally binding document is the French version of these General Terms and Conditions of Sale (« Conditions Générales de Vente – Client Consommateur (B2C) »). In the event of any discrepancy or difference of interpretation between the two language versions, the French text shall prevail.
These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (hereinafter the “B2C GTC”) constitute the contractual document applicable to sales made by SARL THF, operating under the brand Cognac Tasting Tour (hereinafter “the Seller”), for the benefit of a Consumer Client. They bring together in a single document the common framework applicable to all of the Seller’s clientele and the specific provisions applicable to consumers.
A Consumer Client is any natural person acting for purposes that fall outside the scope of their commercial, industrial, craft, professional or agricultural activity.
For each sale, these B2C GTC are supplemented by Particular Terms and Conditions of Sale (“PTC”) specific to the type of product purchased by the Client – stay, car excursion, bicycle ride and bicycle rental, or workshop and activity – as well as by the accepted quotation. Particular terms of sale therefore apply according to the products purchased by the Client; depending on the products set out in the quotation, the corresponding product PTC apply and may clarify or supplement these terms.
Where it combines at least two travel services, the service falls under the regime of package travel and linked travel arrangements provided for in Articles L211-1 et seq. of the French Tourism Code (Code du tourisme), transposing Directive (EU) 2015/2302.
Article 1. Identification of the Seller
COGNAC TASTING TOUR is a word mark registered with the French Patent and Trademark Office (INPI) under number 3907526 on 23 March 2012. This mark, operated by SARL THF, is the property of its co-manager, Mr Jean-Luc MONTEMBAULT.
SARL THF – Trade name: Cognac Tasting Tour
Inbound and event travel agency
Registered office: 7 rue Grimard, 17520 Jarnac-Champagne, France
Share capital: €7,500.00 – Saintes Trade and Companies Register (RCS) 480 764 174 – APE code 7911Z
Intra-Community VAT: FR19 480 764 174
Co-management: Jean-Luc Montembault and Christine Montembault
Atout France registration (Register of Travel and Holiday Operators): IM016110010
Financial guarantor: APST – Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme, 15 avenue Carnot, 75017 Paris (apst.travel)
Professional liability insurer: HISCOX SA, 38 avenue de l’Opéra, 75002 Paris
Tel.: +33 (0)5 45 80 80 38 – contact [@] cognac-tasting-tour.fr – www.cognac-tasting-tour.fr
The Seller’s Customer Service can be reached by post (SARL THF, 7 rue Grimard, 17520 Jarnac-Champagne), by telephone at +33 (0)5 45 80 80 38 and by e-mail at contact [@] cognac-tasting-tour.fr.
Article 2. Purpose, scope and definitions
The purpose of these B2C GTC is to define the conditions under which the Seller markets its services to a Consumer Client: stays, tours, excursions, workshops and activities, sold individually or in combination. Any booking implies the Client’s full and unreserved acceptance of these B2C GTC, of the applicable product PTC and of the accepted quotation, to the exclusion of any other document (brochure, commercial document, etc.).
The “Client” is the natural person who orders the service(s). The “Participant” is any natural person actually benefiting from the service. The “Quotation” is the priced and descriptive proposal drawn up by the Seller. The “Service” means all the services described in the quotation. Where the sale relates to a package or a linked travel arrangement, the protective regime of the Tourism Code applies as of right.
Article 3. Contractual documents and hierarchy
The contract is made up of the following indivisible whole: (i) the quotation accepted by the Client, (ii) these B2C GTC, (iii) the PTC applicable to the type of product purchased and, where applicable, (iv) their appendices (scales, safety rules, technical sheets).
Particular Terms and Conditions of Sale apply according to the products purchased by the Client. Depending on whether the quotation relates to a stay, a car excursion, a bicycle ride or bicycle rental, or a workshop, the corresponding product PTC supplement these terms and may specify their arrangements (conduct, safety, equipment, specific scales).
In the event of contradiction between these documents, the decreasing order of priority is as follows: particular provisions set out in the accepted quotation, product PTC, these B2C GTC. The more specific stipulation prevails over the general one.
Article 4. Pre-contractual information and standardised information form
Before the conclusion of the contract, the Seller provides the Client with the information set out in Articles L211-8 and R211-4 of the Tourism Code: main characteristics of the services, total price inclusive of all taxes and any additional charges, payment terms, minimum number of participants where applicable, and conditions for termination and cancellation.
The Seller also provides the Client, on a durable medium, with the standardised information form relating to travellers’ rights, in accordance with the model set by the Order (arrêté) of 1 March 2018. This information forms an integral part of the contract and may only be modified by mutual agreement or under the conditions provided for herein.
Article 5. Quotation, option period and formation of the contract
The quotation is drawn up on the basis of the information provided by the Client. It states an option date beyond which it ceases to bind the Seller. The quotation is not necessarily proportional to the number of Participants, as certain services have a fixed cost.
The contract sets out all the information referred to in Article R211-6 of the Tourism Code. It is formed when the Client returns the quotation and these conditions, initialled and signed, together with payment of the deposit provided for. The Client receives a copy of the contract. Failing payment of the deposit, the contract is deemed not to have been formed and the booking not made.
Article 6. Booking confirmation and deposit
Confirmation of the booking requires the return of the signed contractual documents and payment of the deposit referred to in the quotation. The deposit constitutes a substantial and decisive condition of the booking. The amount, schedule and number of deposits are set by the quotation. Sums paid in advance do not bear interest.
Article 7. Prices
Prices are expressed in euros, inclusive of all taxes unless otherwise stated. They are firm for the option period indicated in the quotation. Services not used within a package give rise to no reduction or refund and may not be taken away by the Client.
Article 8. Price revision
In accordance with Article L211-12 of the Tourism Code, after the option period, an upward revision of the price is possible only in the event of a variation in the cost of transport linked to fuel or other energy sources, in the level of applicable taxes or charges, or in exchange rates. Any decrease in these costs symmetrically gives rise to a price reduction.
No increase may take place within the 20 days preceding the start of the services. If the increase exceeds 8% of the total price, the Client may accept the proposed modification or terminate the contract free of charge and obtain a refund of the sums paid.
Article 9. Payment terms
Unless otherwise agreed, the services are payable in advance. Payment is made by bank transfer, by payment card via the online payment system of the Seller’s bank, or in cash within the legal limit. Bank charges relating to payment are borne by the Client. Unless otherwise stated in the quotation, the full price inclusive of tax must be received no later than 10 days before the first day of the Service. Early payment does not give rise to any discount.
Article 10. Modification of services requested by the Client
Any request to modify the accepted quotation must be sent in writing (e-mail or post) to the Seller. Modifications take effect only after the Seller’s written agreement. In the absence of written agreement, the contract continues in accordance with the terms of the accepted quotation.
Article 11. Assignment of the contract
In accordance with Article L211-11 of the Tourism Code, the Client may assign the contract to an assignee meeting the same conditions, as long as the contract has not taken effect, by informing the Seller by any means allowing acknowledgement of receipt no later than 7 days before the start of the services. The assignor and the assignee are jointly and severally liable for payment of the price and for the justified costs of the assignment.
Article 12. Modification of the contract by the Seller before the start of the services
The Seller may unilaterally modify ancillary clauses of the contract. If the Seller is compelled to modify an essential characteristic of the services or cannot meet an accepted special requirement, it shall inform the Client, who may, within a reasonable period, accept the modification or terminate the contract without termination fees and be refunded (Article L211-13 of the Tourism Code).
Article 13. Termination of the contract by the Client before the start of the services
The Client may terminate the contract at any time before the start of the services upon payment of appropriate termination fees, in accordance with the scale set out in the appendix hereto.
However, in the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the contract or the carriage of passengers to the destination, the Client has the right to terminate the contract without paying any termination fees and to obtain a full refund of the payments made, without additional compensation (Article L211-14 of the Tourism Code).
Article 14. Termination of the contract by the Seller
The Seller may terminate the contract and refund the Client in full, without additional compensation, if the number of participants is lower than the minimum required stated in the contract and within the legal time limits, or if it is prevented from performing the contract owing to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, the Client being informed before the start of the services (Article L211-14 III of the Tourism Code).
Article 15. Extraordinary circumstances and force majeure
Force majeure means any external, unforeseeable and irresistible event within the meaning of Article 1218 of the Civil Code and the case law of the French courts, such as in particular natural disaster, fire, flood, epidemic or pandemic and associated administrative measures, act of public authority, war, terrorist attack, or general strike.
In the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances preventing, on the date and at the place chosen, the performance of all or part of the services, the parties shall seek in priority a postponement. The service(s) may then be postponed free of charge over a period of 18 months, a duly justified surcharge being applicable in the event of a move to a period of higher demand. The Consumer Client’s rights under Articles 13 and 14 hereof remain reserved. The party invoking force majeure shall notify the other without delay.
Article 16. Strict liability
In accordance with Article L211-16 of the Tourism Code, the Seller is strictly liable for the proper performance of the services provided for in the contract, whether these services are performed by itself or by other providers. It may be released from all or part of its liability by providing proof that the damage is attributable to the Client, to a third party unconnected with the provision of the services and of an unforeseeable or unavoidable nature, or to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.
Article 17. Price reduction and compensation
In the event of a lack of conformity found during performance, the Client is entitled to an appropriate price reduction and, where applicable, to compensation for any damage suffered, unless the lack of conformity falls within an exemption provided for in Article 16 (Articles L211-16 and L211-17 of the Tourism Code). The Client shall report any lack of conformity without delay so as to enable the Seller to remedy it.
Article 18. Duty to provide assistance
The Seller shall provide appropriate assistance without delay to a Client in difficulty, in particular by providing useful information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance, and by helping the Client to make distance communications and to find alternative services (Article L211-17-1 of the Tourism Code).
Article 19. Insurance, financial guarantee and professional liability
The Seller holds a financial guarantee intended for the refund of payments made and the repatriation of the Client, taken out with APST – Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme (15 avenue Carnot, 75017 Paris), and professional liability insurance taken out with HISCOX SA, in accordance with Articles L211-18 et seq. of the Tourism Code.
Except where the law places cover on the Seller, the Client is responsible for taking out such insurance (cancellation, assistance, repatriation, damage, Participants’ civil liability) as it deems necessary. The Seller may offer to arrange such cover; its nature and extent are then set out in the quotation.
Article 20. No right of withdrawal
In accordance with point 12° of Article L221-28 of the Consumer Code (Code de la consommation), services relating to accommodation other than residential accommodation, the transport of goods, car rental, catering or leisure activities provided on a specific date or during a specific period do not benefit from the 14-day right of withdrawal applicable to distance and off-premises contracts. Consequently, bookings of the Seller’s stays, excursions, workshops and activities are not subject to a right of withdrawal, without prejudice to the termination rights provided for in Article 13.
Article 21. Damage, breakage, theft
The Client is responsible for the safekeeping of goods and equipment brought by itself or the Participants. The Seller cannot be held liable for damage, loss, theft or breakage affecting such goods, in particular valuables or large equipment.
The Client is liable for damage caused by itself, the Participants or their guests to the goods, equipment, vehicles or premises made available, and undertakes to bear the cost of repair, including any deductible. The compensation scales applicable to rented or provided equipment are set out in the corresponding product PTC.
Article 22. Conduct of Participants, consumption of alcohol
As the services may include tastings of wines, cognacs and other spirits, each Participant who chooses to take part undertakes to consume in moderation. The Client reminds the Participants that they must remain able to comply with the Highway Code and safety instructions, and that they must not be under the influence of alcohol or narcotics during the activities.
The Seller may refuse access to or continuation of an activity to any Participant whose behaviour compromises the safety, order or smooth running of the service, without this giving rise to any refund or compensation. The sale and service of alcohol to a minor is prohibited.
Article 23. Image rights and recording
The Seller may photograph or film the services, directly or through its providers. The Client and the Participants accept that images in which they appear may be used on the communication media and social media accounts of the Seller or its partners, for promotional purposes.
The Client ensures, before the service, the consent of the Participants. Any Participant may object to the publication of their image before the service, or subsequently by e-mail to [email protected]. The Seller retains all intellectual property rights in the images produced.
Article 24. Personal data (GDPR)
The Seller processes the personal data of the Client and the Participants for the performance of the contract, the management of the customer relationship, invoicing and, with the consent of the persons concerned, commercial prospecting. The data controller is SARL THF.
The data is kept for the period necessary for the purposes pursued and for legal obligations. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the French Data Protection Act (loi Informatique et Libertés), data subjects have a right of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection and portability, as well as the right to lodge a complaint with the CNIL. These rights are exercised at [email protected]. The Client undertakes to inform the Participants of this processing.
Article 25. Intellectual property
The Cognac Tasting Tour brand, the content, itineraries, programmes, technical sheets and materials provided to the Client remain the exclusive property of the Seller. Any reproduction, distribution or reuse, in whole or in part, without prior written authorisation, is prohibited.
Article 26. Complaints and consumer mediation
Any complaint must be sent in writing to the Seller’s Customer Service (contact [@] cognac-tasting-tour.fr) as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than 8 days after the end of the service, stating its grounds and amount.
Failing a satisfactory response within 60 days, the Consumer Client may refer the matter free of charge, in accordance with Article L612-1 of the Consumer Code, to the consumer ombudsman to which the Seller belongs:
• Médiation Tourisme et Voyage (MTV), BP 80 303, 75823 Paris Cedex 17 – www.mediateur-tourisme-voyages.fr
A Client residing in another Member State of the European Union may, for a cross-border dispute, contact the European Consumer Centre France (www.europe-consommateurs.eu). Recourse to mediation does not deprive the Client of the right to bring proceedings before the courts.
Article 27. Governing law, language and jurisdiction
These B2C GTC and all the contractual documents are governed by, interpreted and applied in accordance with French law. This English text is a courtesy translation; only the French version is legally binding, and the French language is the language of interpretation in the event of any dispute over the meaning of a term or provision.
In the absence of an amicable settlement, the dispute falls within the jurisdiction of the competent courts according to the ordinary rules of law applicable to consumers. The Client may in particular bring the matter before the court of the place where it resided at the time the contract was concluded or the harmful event occurred.
Article 28. Miscellaneous provisions
If any of these provisions is declared void or unenforceable, the other provisions retain their full force. The Seller’s failure to invoke a breach does not constitute a waiver of the right to invoke it subsequently. These B2C GTC and their supplements express the entire agreement of the parties in relation to their subject matter.
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Update: June 25, 2026