General Terms and Conditions of Sale and Use

PREAMBLE
The following General Terms and Conditions of Sale (the "GTCS") apply to any reservation and/or purchase made by a Customer (as defined below) on the website accessible at the address: www.ritzparis.com (the “Website") or directly at the Hotel Ritz Paris, located at 15 place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France.

The Website is published by The Ritz Hotel, Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England & Wales, registered at Companies House under number 00048125, with its registered office at Third Floor, 20 Old Bailey, London (London) EC4M 7AN, United Kingdom and its principal place of business (the ”Ritz Paris Hotel") at 15 place Vendôme 75001 Paris, France, registered at the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 572 219 913 (the "Ritz Paris").

THEREFORE, IT HAS BEEN AGREED AS FOLLOWS:



ARTICLE 1 – DEFINITIONS

The Terms used in the body of the GTCS, including its preamble, and beginning with a capital letter, whether used in the singular or plural, shall have the meaning given to them below.

Accommodation Service: refers to the provision of accommodation (stay) at the Ritz Paris, for the duration and on the dates selected by the Customer and under the conditions set out herein and/or on the Website.

Ancillary Services: refers to additional products and/or services offered to the Customer when booking an Accommodation Service (such as, for example, a bottle of champagne, a bouquet of flowers, etc.).

Confirmation Email: refers to the confirmation email sent by Ritz Paris to the Customer at the email address provided by the Customer at the time of reservation and/or purchase, containing a summary of the Contract and specifying in particular the conditions of the reservation (Services reserved, Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price, prices and any taxes, prices of Ancillary Services, check-in/check-out times, rules applicable to the stay in Ritz Paris, reservation dates, guarantee) and/or the details of the order placed.

Contract: refers to the GTCS as well as the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price or the Cancellation Policy, where applicable, as summarised in the Confirmation Email.

Cancellation Policy: refers to the special conditions applicable to the changes and/or cancellation of a Spa, Restaurant or Accommodation Service.

Customer: refers to the natural person of legal age, having full legal capacity to enter into contracts under the GTCS, and acting for his/her own needs, excluding any intermediation, resale, distribution or similar activity of all or part of the Services and/or Gift Cards.

Parties: collectively refers to the Ritz Paris and the Customer.

Privacy Policy: refers to the personal data protection policy.

Ritz Group: refers to any company owned, controlled, controlling or placed under the same control, within the meaning of Article L. 233-3 of the French Commercial Code, as RH Paris 1 S.à r.l., a company incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with its registered office at 42, rue de la Vallée L-2661 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Companies Register under number B136.967.

Ritz Trademarks: refers to the "Ritz " and/or "Ritz Paris ", as well as "Ritz Escoffier", denominative or semi-figurative trademarks as well as all other distinctive or graphic signs, registered or not registered and used by the Ritz Paris.

Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price: refers to the special terms and conditions of reservation, cancellation, no-show, minimum number of people, guarantee for each Accommodation Service, which vary in particular according to the period of the season, which are available on the Website or communicated within the Hotel Ritz Paris at the time of reservation and which are summarised in the Confirmation Email, where applicable.

RESA: refers to Ritz Enterprise SA, a limited company under Swiss law, with its registered office at Rue du Rhône 42, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland, registered in the Companies Register of the Canton of Geneva under number CHE-100.374.228, a sister company of Ritz Paris and the exclusive owner of the Ritz Trademarks.

Restaurant Service: refers to the catering service (food and beverage) offered in the Ritz Paris’s restaurant points of sale (Bar Vendôme, Salon Proust, Espadon, Ritz Bar, Bar Hemingway, etc.).

Service(s): refers to the Accommodation Services, Spa Services, Restaurant Services and other Ancillary Services offered to Customers by the Ritz Paris on the Website.

Spa Service: refers to any of the services available at the Ritz Club & Spa, including the spa treatment, coaching and hair services offered at the Ritz Paris.

ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE

The Contract governs the contractual relationship between the Customer and the Ritz Paris with which the Customer makes a reservation and/or a purchase. The GTCS are made available to the Customer on the Website, where they can be referred to directly at any time. The Customer has the option of storing and printing the GTCS using the standard functions of their browser and/or computer. The GTCS are also communicated by Ritz Paris to the Customer at the time of reservation or purchase.

The GTCS shall prevail over any other document with regard to their purpose, except for the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Tariff or the Cancellation Policy, which shall prevail over the GTCS in the event of conflict.

The Contract provides all the obligations of the Parties. No general or special condition communicated by the Customer may be incorporated into or added to the Contract.

Prior to any reservation of a Service, the Customer is duly informed of the GTCS and declares (i) that he/she is acting for personal purposes that do not fall within the scope of his/her commercial, industrial, artisanal, independent or agricultural activity and (ii) that he/she has full legal capacity to enter into a contract under these GTCS. Any reservation implies that the Customer accepts these GTCS in full and without reservation.

As a consumer, the Customer has specific rights, which would be called into question, if the Services reserved were to be used in the context of his or her commercial, industrial, artisanal, independent or agricultural activity.

ARTICLE 3 – RESERVATION

3.1. Reservation process and agreement of the Contract

The reservation of a Service may be made, as the case may be, via the Website, by telephone, by email, at the Ritz Paris Hotel or via a third party (i.e. travel agent, company, organisation, etc.).

Any reservation and/or purchase implies the receipt, the acknowledgment, the viewing and the full and unreserved acceptance of the GTCS, by the Customer.

In the event of a reservation and/or purchase on the Website, the Ritz Paris requests the Customer to read carefully the GTCS and the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and/or the Cancellation Policy, as the case may be, and to tick the corresponding box before each reservation and/or purchase.

In the event of a reservation and/or purchase by email, by telephone, at the Ritz Paris Hotel or through a travel agent, the GTCS and the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and/or the Cancellation Policy, as the case may be, are sent to the Customer by email to the email address indicated by the Customer prior to any reservation and/or purchase.

The Customer acknowledges that he/she is aware of the nature, purpose and reservation terms of the Services and/or Gift Cards and that he/she has requested and obtained the necessary and/or additional information in order to make his/her reservation and/or purchase with full knowledge of the facts. Additional checks may be carried out directly with Ritz Paris, if necessary, via the "Contact " tab available on the Website.

It is specified, for all practical purposes, that the Customer is solely responsible for his/her choice of Services and their suitability for his/her needs, such that the Ritz Paris cannot be held liable in this regard.

It is expressly agreed between the Parties that any reservation of a Service is made by name and may under no circumstances be transferred in whole or in part to a third party, whether free of charge, against payment or on a commercial basis.

The Customer may make a reservation at the Hotel Ritz Paris, on the Website, by telephone or by email, on an individual basis, and for his/her personal needs of up to nine (9) rooms or thirty (30) nights or one hundred thousand (100,000) euros per stay.

For reservations exceeding the above limits, as well as for business groups, meetings, seminars, etc., please contact: events@ritzparis.com.

At the time of reservation, the Customer is informed about the maximum occupancy capacity of the category of room or suite booked and may under no circumstances exceed this capacity. Should he/she exceed the capacity, the Customer will have to book an additional room.


3.2. Confirmation of reservation and/or purchase

Once the Customer has made a reservation for a Service under the conditions set out in Article 3.1, the Customer will receive a Confirmation Email at the email address they have provided.

In the case of a reservation for a Service, the reservation will only be considered fully completed once the Customer has paid for the reservation in accordance with the conditions set out in Article 6 of the GTCS, except in the case of a reservation guarantee as set out in Article 6.2.1 (i): in the latter case, the reservation will be considered fully completed once the Customer has received the Confirmation Email.


3.3. Guarantee

The Ritz Paris will request an imprint of the Customer's credit card at the time of booking as a guarantee, via the secure link provided by the Ritz Paris to the email address indicated by the Customer. A pre-authorisation will be made for the full value of the Services booked. 


3.4. Right of withdrawal

No right of withdrawal for Services: It should be noted that, in accordance with Article L. 221-28 12° of the French Consumer Code, the Customer does not have the right of withdrawal provided for in Article L. 221-18 of the French Consumer Code for the Services described herein.


3.5. Cancellation or changes by the Customer

The Services reserved are exclusively subject to the cancellation terms and/or changes to the conditions set out in the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and the Cancellation Policy for the Services and are summarised in the Confirmation Email. Customers are advised to take out travel insurance that meets their needs.

Depending on the Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Tariff or the Cancellation Policy, the Ritz Paris will be entitled to charge a cancellation fee and, where applicable, all or part of the price of the Services reserved, which will be deducted from the amounts paid in advance, where applicable, or which will be deducted from the amount held as guarantee (if the reservation has not been paid for in advance) and which, in addition, will be invoiced to the Customer. The Ritz Paris also reserves the right to put the Service concerned back on sale.

Deposits (sums paid in advance) will not be reimbursed after the deadline of the Cancellation Policy and/or the changes to the reservation, as provided to the Customer in the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price or the Cancellation Policy at the time of reservation and/or confirmation of the reservation.


3.6. Cancellation by the Ritz Paris

If the Ritz Paris refuses to perform the Contract, the Customer-consumer is entitled to receive compensation equal to (i) the amount of the deposit paid by the Customer or (ii) double the deposit paid by the Customer.


3.7.  Accommodation Service: Interruption of the stay

In any event, in the event of the stay being interrupted by the Customer for any reason whatsoever, including in the event of a behaviour contrary to the rules of good conduct as provided under Article 4.6, the Customer will be obliged to pay the Ritz Paris the full price set out in the Confirmation Email, and no refund of any kind whatsoever will be granted as a result. 

In the event of advance payment, the said amount will be deducted from the amounts paid in advance. If the reservation has not been paid for in advance, the Ritz Paris will deduct the amount due from the sums withheld as a guarantee.


3.8. No-show

Depending on the Special Conditions of the Reserved Tariff or the Cancellation Policy, The Ritz Paris will be entitled to charge a cancellation fee and, where applicable, all or part of the price of the Services reserved, which will be deducted from the amounts paid in advance, where applicable, or which will be deducted from the amount held as guarantee (if the reservation has not been paid for in advance). The Ritz Paris also reserves the right to put the Service concerned back on sale.


3.9. Booking irregularities

Any reservation or payment that is irregular, inoperative, incomplete, or fraudulent for any reason imputed to the Customer, will result in the cancellation of the reservation, without prejudice to any civil or criminal action against the Customer.

Depending on the Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Tariff or the Cancellation Policy, the Ritz Paris will be entitled to charge a cancellation fee and, where applicable, all or part of the price of the Services reserved, which will be deducted from the amounts paid in advance, where applicable, or which will be deducted from the amount held as guarantee (if the reservation has not been paid for in advance). The Ritz Paris also reserves the right to put the Service concerned back on sale.


3.10. Complaints – Information

Complaints relating to a purchase and/or the non-performance or poor performance of the Services must, in order to facilitate their processing, be brought to the attention of the Ritz Paris in writing to the contact details indicated in the "Contact " tab on the Site.

ARTICLE 4 - TERMS OF STAY AT THE RITZ PARIS AND OTHER CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO THE SERVICES

4.1. Customer form

In accordance with Article R. 611-42 of the French Code for the entry and residence of foreign nationals and the right of asylum, the Customer authorises the Ritz Paris to pre-fill the individual police form known as the "Customer Form" (Fiche Police) with the information obtained at the time of booking. The Customer shall check the accuracy of the pre-filled information and sign the said form upon his/her check-in.


4.2. Pets

At the discretion of the Ritz Paris, certain animals are welcome under certain conditions and subject to the Ritz Paris’s prior written approval.

For instance, dogs weighing less than six (6) kgs may be accepted, limited to one (1) per room per night and subject to the Ritz Paris’s prior written approval. A fee of fifty (50) euros per night will be charged.

First and second category dogs (in accordance with French legislation) are not allowed on the premises. 

For hygiene reasons, unless otherwise indicated by the Ritz Paris, dogs are not allowed in the restaurant points of sale areas as specified by the Ritz Paris, as well as in the Ritz Club & Spa. The list of these areas may be subject to change at any time.

In any case and unless otherwise stipulated, pets must be kept on a lead in the common areas of the Ritz Paris.

Pets may not be left alone in the room or unattended when their owner is away from the Ritz Paris. It is also necessary to ensure that they do not damage the room or its furnishings, and respect, at all times, the peace and quiet of the establishment. 

The owner of the animal will be held directly liable in the event of damage or inconvenience caused by the animal affecting the Ritz Paris, third parties, employees or other Customers of the Ritz Paris. The cost of any damage caused during the stay may be invoiced to the Customer. 

The rules relating to the tranquillity and safety of Customers are subject to the Ritz Paris’s discretionary power.


4.3. Ritz Club & Spa

The conditions of access to the swimming pool and in particular the internal rules of the Ritz Club & Spa are displayed within the Ritz Club & Spa.

A parent or responsible adult must be present to supervise the children's swimming.


4.4. Children

Children must be supervised by their parents or a responsible adult. The Customer also undertakes to ensure that the children under his/her responsibility respect the peace and quiet of the establishment, at all times.

Subject to availability, the Ritz Paris will provide the Customer (parent or responsible adult) with a connecting room for their children under the age of 14, at the Customer's request, when booking their room and according to the financial terms and conditions communicated to the Customer. In any event, the Customer is informed that children under the age of 14 may not be left unattended in a non-connecting room.


4.5. Vallet service and parking

Depending on the circumstances, Ritz Paris may offer valet parking services or authorise the Customer to park his/her vehicle in the car park of the Hotel Ritz Paris. By entrusting his vehicle, the Customer :

• authorises the staff of Ritz Paris to drive the vehicle and to move it, if necessary; 
• declares that he/she is in possession of up-to-date insurance and roadworthiness tests, as required by law; 
• confirms that the quantity of petrol in the vehicle is sufficient and, for electric vehicles, confirms that he/she has left the appropriate recharging cable and adapter in the vehicle, if applicable; 
• confirms that he/she has emptied the vehicle of all personal belongings and/or valuables not required for parking the vehicle and has deactivated and/or removed the electronic toll collection and/or parking badge.

4.6. Laundry service

Ritz Paris may, depending on the case, offer its Customers a laundry service for their clothes. A delivery slip is made available to Customers in their room and specifies the price of the services, the conditions for carrying out the services, the quality of the services offered and the conditions for compensating the Customer in the event of loss or deterioration of the items by way of fixed and definitive compensation.

Laundry services are carried out either by Ritz Paris or by an external service provider to whom the linen is entrusted.

You are reminded that Ritz Paris may, at its discretion, refuse an item or make any reservation concerning the cleaning of the said item. Ritz Paris declines all responsibility in the event of alteration of colours or shrinkage. In order to avoid any inconvenience, Ritz Paris does not guarantee articles containing heat-bonded materials or buttons and trimmings that may react to the products used.


4.7. WiFi and network access

WiFi use is free of charge for Customers.

Illegal downloading is strictly prohibited and is the Customer's responsibility. The Customer is obliged to comply with the Ritz Paris’s security policy, including the rules for the use of the security measures implemented to prevent the illicit use of computer resources and to refrain from any act that undermines the effectiveness of these measures.

The Customer undertakes to ensure that the computer resources made available to him/her by the Ritz Paris are not used in any way for the purposes of reproduction, representation, provision or communication to the public of works or any objects protected by an intellectual property right or by a related right without the prior authorisation of the holders of the rights to any content protected under the provisions of the Intellectual Property Code. The Customer will, at his/her own expense, indemnify the Ritz Paris against any action and/or claim by a third-party alleging infringement of an intellectual property right, and will bear all associated costs and damages.

In this respect, the Customer will in particular indemnify the Ritz Paris for all losses, damages or costs (including reasonable legal fees and costs) incurred by the Ritz Paris in connection with an action of this nature, as well as all sums paid by way of settlements and/or damages that the Ritz Paris may be ordered to pay.


4.8. Rules of good conduct

The Customer accepts and undertakes to use the premises of the Ritz Paris in a reasonable manner and with respect to the Ritz Paris’s image. In addition, the Customer undertakes not to disturb the peace and quiet of the Ritz Paris. Any behaviour contrary to standards of public decency, public order, the image and reputation of the Ritz Paris, may authorise the Ritz Paris to ask the Customer to leave the establishment, without delay and without any compensation. The Customer will be obliged to pay the Ritz Paris the full price set out in the Confirmation Email, and no refund or compensation of any kind whatsoever will be granted as a result.

If no payment has yet been made, the Customer must pay the price of the services consumed before leaving the Ritz Paris.


4.9. Loss and damages

During his/her stay, the Customer is responsible for the room and its furnishings.

The Customer undertakes to use the Ritz Paris’s premises made available to him/her in an appropriate manner and not to cause any damage, leaving the premises in the same state of cleanliness as they were in when he/she first entered the premises in question.

In general, the Customer will be liable for the consequences resulting from his/her negligence, faults, errors and, more generally, for any damage, direct or indirect, material or immaterial, caused to third parties or to the Ritz Paris and the occurrence of which is linked to the Services. 

In the event of damage or deterioration not declared before the Customer's check out, the Ritz Paris reserves the right to deduct the sum required for the repair work as well as any additional costs related to the non-use of the room during this period. The Ritz Paris will provide the Customer with an invoice for these costs.

The Customer undertakes not to harm the Ritz Paris in general, to disrupt the operation of the Ritz Paris or to jeopardise the safety of the Ritz Paris or the safety of persons in the Ritz Paris, with Ritz Paris reserving the right to intervene if necessary.


4.10. Safety

Surveillance measures have been put in place by the Ritz Paris. Video surveillance of the reception and public areas of the Ritz Paris has been installed to ensure the safety of people and property. Safes are available in the rooms provided to Customers.

However, Customers are advised to exercise caution, particularly with regard to items of high value. Please note that safes are available in the rooms of the Ritz Paris. In particular, Customers are advised to keep all valuables out of general view (particularly in rooms, common areas or in vehicles parked in the Ritz Paris car park).

The Ritz Paris declines all liability in the event of theft, loss or damage to the Customer's valuables, which are not deposited in the safes provided free of charge to the Customer.

The Customer undertakes to inform the Management of the Ritz Paris before his/her check out if, during his/her stay, he/she was the victim of an accident or if any of his/her valuables are damaged, lost or stolen.


4.11. No-smoking policy

The general ban on smoking has been in force in France since 2nd January 2008, in closed and covered areas. Smoking is therefore prohibited throughout the Ritz Paris Hotel, which is an entirely non-smoking establishment.

As a result, if a persistent smell of smoke is detected in the room, after the Customer’s check-out, an additional night (at the rate for the last night) will automatically be charged at the time of the Customer's check-out to cover the cost of cleaning the room and to compensate the Ritz Paris for its inability to accommodate a new customer in the said room. The Customer is informed that smoking is exceptionally permitted on the Terrasse Vendôme and the Grand Jardin of the Hotel Ritz Paris.


4.12. “Inoperative” customer policy

The Ritz Paris processes personal data, in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Privacy Policy available here, for the purposes of prevention and safety of property and persons and the fight against non-payment. For these purposes, the Ritz Paris may decide to include in the category of "inoperative " customers any customer with an inappropriate behaviour such as: aggression and incivility, failure to comply with the contract, failure to comply with safety rules, theft, damage and vandalism or payment incidents. These details are mandatory. An inoperative status may lead the Ritz Paris, registering the Customer under this status, to refuse the reservation to the Customer, in the future, for a period, depending on the reasons, between 122 days or 450 days (in the event of brutality towards staff and/or customers, fighting on the premises of the Ritz Paris, insults, threats or threatening behaviour towards staff and/or customers, noisy behaviour disturbing customers, putting safety and/or security equipment out of order, improperly activating safety equipment or any other action that poses a safety risk to staff and/or customers).

ARTICLE 5 – DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
The Website allows the Customer to book one or more Services at the Ritz Paris. The essential characteristics of the Services are described on the Website.

The photographs shown on the Service website are for information purposes only. Although every effort is made to ensure that the photographs, graphic representations and texts reproduced to illustrate the Ritz Paris Hotel and/or Services presented give as accurate an idea as possible of the accommodation, etc. offered, variations may occur, particularly due to changes in furniture or possible renovations.

In case of doubt, or to obtain additional information about the Services, it is possible to contact the Ritz Paris by email or by telephone via the "Contact " tab on the Website.

In any event, the Ritz Paris cannot be held liable for any non-substantial errors that may occur in this respect.

The Website also includes the following information:

• the essential characteristics of the Services offered; 
• any Ancillary Services offered; 
• the prices; 
• the payment terms; 
• the GTCS, as well as the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and/or the Cancellation Policies, where applicable.

The Gift Card may be sent to the Beneficiary by the Customer in digital form or by post. The Customer acknowledges that the services of the Gift Card do not include transport to the venue of the Ritz Paris.

If the Gift Card is not used within its validity period, or if it is lost, stolen or destroyed, the Customer will not be entitled to a refund or compensation of any kind whatsoever. However, in the event that the Beneficiary is unable to use the Gift Card within the period specified, the Customer is requested to contact the Ritz Paris, before the end of the validity date of the Gift Card, via the "Contact " tab available on the Website.

ARTICLE 6 – FINANCIAL TERMS

6.1. Prices of Services

For the Accommodation Services, the price of the reservation is indicated before, during and after the reservation and is per room, for the number of person(s), the dates and the Accommodation Services and, where applicable, the Ancillary Services selected by the Customer.

For the Spa Services, the price of the reservation applies to the service chosen by the Customer, on the date and at the time selected by the Customer and in accordance with the conditions set out in the Confirmation Email.

For Restaurant Services, the financial terms are communicated by the restaurant concerned at the time of booking.

Depending on the applicable Cancellation Policy, certain fees may be charged to the Customer in the event of cancellation of the reservation or no-show by the Customer.

The price of the Services is indicated on the Website in euros and is inclusive of all taxes, with the exception of any taxes listed in the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and mentioned in the Confirmation Email, (in particular the Tourist Tax - or equivalent - service charges, etc.) which must be paid directly to the Ritz Paris. From 1st January 2025, the Tourist Tax will be of € 11.38 and a payment adjustment will be requested during your stay.

The price of the Services only includes the services strictly mentioned in the Confirmation Email. Any additional services that may be provided by the Ritz Paris during the Customer's stay and/or Spa Service will be added to the price mentioned in the Confirmation Email.

The Ritz Paris pays the greatest attention to the accuracy of the prices of the Services displayed on its Website. However, in the event of a manifest pricing error, the Ritz Paris reserves the right not to provide the Services for which the price is manifestly incorrect. In this case, the Ritz Paris will inform the Customer and, depending on the case, will send him/her a new Confirmation Email if the Customer wishes to maintain his/her reservation at the price effectively applicable or will cancel the Services concerned and refund any price prepaid by the Customer.

The Ritz Paris may change the prices shown on the Website at any time without notice. However, the modified prices will only be applied to bookings made after the new prices come into force.



6.2. Payment terms

6.2.1. Payment for Accommodation Services, Ancillary Services and Spa Services

Irrespective of the payment instructions, the Customer declares that he/she is personally liable for payment in the event that the person, company or association (indicated at the time of booking and acting as guarantor for payment of the costs of the Services) fails to pay all or part of the cost of the Services on behalf of the Customer.

Reservations of Services are paid for by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) on the Website directly or via the secure payment link provided by the Ritz Paris to the email address indicated by the Customer or by bank transfer only.

The Ritz Paris accepts payment by the following credit cards and debit cards: Visa®, Mastercard®, Maestro®, Diners ® and American Express®. The Ritz Paris does not accept JCB®.

The Ritz Paris may accept different means of payment but the Customer must present to the Ritz Paris the credit or debit card used to guarantee the reservation or to make the prepayment. The Ritz Paris may also ask the Customer to show proof of identity in order to prevent credit or debit card fraud. The Customer may pay the Services in cash (only in case of payment in person at the Hotel Ritz Paris, and within the limit permissible under French legislation).

At the time of reservation of a Service and at the time of the Customer’s check-out, in accordance with the conditions communicated to him/her on the Website, under the GTCS, the Special Terms Conditions of the Reserved Tariff and the Cancellation Policy, the Customer communicates his/her bank details via the secure link provided by the Ritz Paris to the email address indicated by the Customer in order to (i) guarantee his/her reservation of the Services, or to (ii) prepay all or part of the Services before his/her stay or to (iii) finalise the check-out procedure. These payment terms are set out in the Confirmation Email.

(i) Reservation guarantee for Services

If the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price so provide, the Customer does not pay for the Services when making a reservation on the Website butprovides his/her bank details as a guarantee, solely via the secure payment link provided by the Ritz Paris to the email address indicated by the Customer. In this case, the Customer's debit or credit card is not debited when the reservation is made on the Website and the Customer pays for the reservation directly at the Ritz Paris Hotel.

In addition, the Ritz Paris may, in the event of a room reservation, on the day of the Customer's check-in, request an imprint of the Customer's credit card as a guarantee, for the total amount of the services consumed during the stay and/or to cover any damage caused by the Customer. Furthermore, when this imprint is made, a pre-authorisation (of an amount indicated in the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price or in the Cancellation Policy, as the case may be, will be requested, for the purposes of (i) verifying the bank payment card (in this case, the amount will be refunded to you within the period applied by the your bank) and/or (ii) blocking an amount that can be charged by the Ritz Paris in case of late cancellation or “no-show” (depending on the policy set out in the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and/or in the Cancellation Policy). No VAT will be applied to these amounts inasmuch as corresponding to fixed compensation to the Ritz Paris for the loss sustained due to the exercise of the late cancellation option.

The Ritz Paris will request a pre-authorisation on the Customer's bank card on check-in for all the services booked and a deposit on the services consumed.

In case of a no-show by the Customer, the Ritz Paris will be entitled to charge cancellation fees and, where applicable, all or part of the price of the services reserved, which will be deducted from the amount held as a guarantee, under the conditions set out in Article 3.7 hereof.

(ii) Prepayment for Services

According to the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and the Cancellation Policy, payment is made:

• Either in full at the time of the reservation; 
• Or in part, at the time of reservation. This prepayment will be referred to as a deposit. The Customer will be asked to pay the balance of the booking before the cancellation deadline indicated in the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and/or the Cancellation Policy recalled in the Confirmation Email. For payment of the balance of the reservation, payments may be made by debit or credit card, via the secure link provided by the Ritz Paris to the email address indicated by the Customer, or by bank transfer and in Euros only. The Ritz Paris cannot be held liable for any additional fees charged by banks in this respect. In the event of payment by bank transfer, the Customer must ensure that his/her name and dates of stay are specified on the transfer order and send the Ritz Paris a copy of the payment confirmation issued by the Customer's bank. The Ritz Paris reserves the right to cancel the reservation without notice if the required deposit and/or payment of the balance of the reservation is not received by the due date. 

In the event that, for any reason whatsoever (opposition, refusal by the issuing centre, etc.), it proves impossible to debitthe sums due by the Customer, the reservation will be cancelled immediately. The Customer will be informed of this by email to the address provided by the Customer at the time of booking.

It is the Customer's responsibility to save and print their payment confirmation if they wish to keep their bank details relating to their transaction.

A pro-forma invoice will be sent to the Customer in electronic format to the e-mail address provided by the Customer at the time of booking; if the Customer wishes to receive a pro-forma invoice in paper format, he/she must expressly request this from the Ritz Paris.

For the pre-payment of Services as earnest money deposit (arrhes, hereinafter “deposit”) will either be refundable or non-refundable depending on the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price and/or the Cancellation Policy.

If the deposit qualifies as refundable, it will be refunded to the Customer if he/she cancels prior to the cancellation deadline. In the event of cancellation after deadline, no refund of the deposit will be made (without prejudice to the possible charging of/payment of the outstanding amount due in respect of the reserved Services).If the deposit qualifies as non-refundable, it will be kept by the Ritz Paris regardless of the date when you cancel as having been paid in consideration of the cancellation option (without prejudice to the possible charging of/payment of the remaining balance of the amount owed in respect of the booked Services). This deposit will not be subject to VAT inasmuch as corresponding to fixed compensation to the Ritz Paris for the loss sustained due to the exercise of the cancellation option.

When the Customer has not prepaid the full amount of his/her stay prior to his/her check-out, he/she will be charged and/or billed upon his/her check-out, the balance of the total amount of the stay, including taxes.

Under all circumstance, the Customer will be invoiced for any other consumed Services and Ancillary Services, during his/her stay.

For stays of one week or longer, the Services will be billed every seven (7) days at latest. These amounts are subject to VAT.

6.2.2 Charging upon check-out or post check-out

To the extent certain amounts have not been paid in full on the date of departure, the Ritz Paris reserves the right to bill and charge these amounts within a period of ten (10) days following the check-out, using the imprint made at the time of the reservation or else at check-in, corresponding by way of example (on a non-exhaustive basis) to services consumed but not paid for, transfers, use of the mini-bar in the room, damage, breakage, theft, non-payment, returning a forgotten item, your laundry services, loss of keys to the room or of the safe, etc.


6.3. Service Prices - Children

The Service Prices applicable to the Services differ according to the age of the child and the service concerned, as follows:

• for Accommodation Services, the price applicable to children concerns children up to and including the age of seventeen (17);
• for Restaurant Services, the price applicable to children concerns children up to and including the age of twelve (12);
• for Spa Services (e.g. children's swimming coaching), the price applicable to children is the same as for adults.
  
  
  
  ARTICLE 7 – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Ritz Trademarks as well as all figurative or non-figurative trademarks and more generally all other trademarks, illustrations, images and/or logos appearing on the Ritz Paris Hotel, on the products and services sold by the Ritz Paris, their accessories or their packaging, whether registered or not, are and remain the exclusive property of RESA or the Ritz Paris or are licensed to the Ritz Paris by RESA.

The Website and all the graphic, textual, visual and photographic elements appearing on it, in particular all the illustrations, trademarks, logos, images, drawings, photographs, characters, texts, decorations, modes of presentation, graphics or any other element of the Website (hereinafter the "Content") are and remain the exclusive property of the Ritz Paris and/or RESA or are licensed to the Ritz Paris and are protected in particular by intellectual property rights.

The Ritz Trademarks, the Website and/or its Content may not under any circumstances be modified in whole or in part, reproduced, represented, distributed, displayed, marketed, incorporated into a derivative work or otherwise, on any medium whatsoever. In general, the Ritz Trademarks, the Website and its Content may only be used in the context of browsing the Website and, where applicable, to make a reservation or place an order.

The use of all or part of the Ritz Trademarks, the Website and/or its content,in particular by downloading, reproduction, transmission or representation for purposes other than those provided for in these GTCS is strictly prohibited.

ARTICLE 8 – PERSONAL DATA

In the context of the performance of the Services or the processing of an order, the Ritz Group and/or Ritz Paris are required to process the personal data of Customers and users of the Website, under the terms and conditions set out in the Privacy Policy available here.



ARTICLE 9 – FORCE MAJEURE

The Parties agree to apply Article 1218 of the French Civil Code and case law of the French courts.

It should be noted, for all intents and purposes, that reasons of personal convenience are not considered events of force majeure.

ARTICLE 10 – AGREEMENT ON PROOF
In any event, and in particular in the event of a dispute, Ritz Paris may produce electronic proof of the Customer's actions, validations and instructions, and in particular the entry of the required bank payment card information, the electronic records kept in the company's computer systems, as well as the content of the Customer's messages and operations, using the connection logs, which the Customer acknowledges.

ARTICLE 11 – AMENDMENT OF THE GTCS

The Ritz Paris requests the Customer to read the GTCS carefully before each reservation and/or purchase, as they may have been modified.

The GTCS may be amended and/or supplemented at any time by the Ritz Paris. In this case, the new version of the GTCS will be posted on the Website in a readable and accessible format so that the Customer can easily access and read it.

The amended/supplemented GTCS will take effect from the date they are posted online on the Website and will automatically apply only to purchases and/or reservations made after they are posted online. Purchases and/or reservations made prior to the date of publication online will be governed by the previous version of the GTCS.

The Customer may keep these GTCS on a durable medium by printing them. In the event of a reservation and/or purchase made on the Website, the GTCS, the Special Terms and Conditions of the Reserved Price or the Cancellation Policy, where applicable, as well as the Privacy Policy will be included in the Confirmation Email sent to the Customer, enabling the Customer to download and/or print them.

ARTICLE 12 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

In the event that any of the provisions of the Contract should be declared invalid, inapplicable or unenforceable by any competent court, the other provisions shall remain valid, applicable and enforceable unless otherwise provided by the said court.

The fact that one of the Parties does not invoke a right or breach by the other Party shall not constitute a waiver of the right or breach in question for the future. Any waiver will only be enforceable if it has been expressed in writing by the party from whom it emanates to the other party.

In the event of any contradiction between the titles of the provisions of the Contract and their content, the content shall prevail.

The fact that the Ritz Paris does not invoke any of the provisions of the Contract at a given time may not be interpreted as a waiver of the right to avail itself of them at a later date.

For your convenience, we have translated the GTCS into English. However, in the event of a dispute, the French text alone shall prevail.

If the GTCS are translated into another language, the French version will prevail over any other translation in the event of any dispute, litigation, difficulty in interpreting or executing these terms and conditions and more generally concerning relations between the Parties.

ARTICLE 13 – APPLICABLE LAW AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

13.1. The Contract is governed and construed in accordance with French law, in accordance with Regulation No. EC 593/2008 of 17 June 2008, without prejudice to any mandatory protective provisions that may apply in the consumer's country of usual residence.

It is recalled that an amicable settlement of the dispute shall bethe privileged solution.

13.2. Any Customer wishing to exercise his/her right of withdrawal in accordance with Article 3.4.2 or in case of a dispute relating to the performance and/or interpretation of the Contract, the Services, the Customer undertakes to first contact the relevant Guest Relations Department of the Ritz Paris, whose contact details are given below:

Ritz Paris Hotel, Guest Relations Department, Ritz Paris, 15 place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France

Tel. +33 143 16 30 30;

Email: guestrelations@ritzparis.com.

13.3. In the event of a dispute between the Ritz Paris and the Customer, they will endeavour to find an amicable solution. If an amicable agreement cannot be reached, the Customer is informed that he/she may have recourse to a conventional mediation procedure or any other alternative dispute resolution procedure.

In accordance with order no. 2015-1033 of 20 August 2015 and implementing decree no. 2015-1382 of 30 October 2015, any so-called consumer dispute or litigation, subject to article L612-2 of the Consumer Code, the Customer may in particular refer the matter free of charge to the consumer mediator to which Ritz Paris belongs, namely the Association of European Mediators (AME CONSO), within a period of one (1) year from the date of his/her written complaint sent to the Ritz Paris.

Referral to the Consumer Ombudsman should be made:

• either by completing the form on the AME CONSO website: www.mediationconso-ame.com tab « FORMULAIRE DE SAISINE EN LIGNE »;
• or by mail addressed to AME CONSO, 197 Boulevard Saint-Germain - 75007 Paris, France.

AME CONSO will try, independently and impartially, to find an amicable solution to the dispute.

The Customer remains free to decide whether or not to use mediation.

In the event of recourse to mediation by the Ritz Paris, the Customer is also free to accept or refuse recourse to mediation.

Once the mediator's decision has been made, each party is free to accept or reject the solution proposed by the mediator.

In the event of a dispute relating to the execution of an order (Services), if the Customer is a natural person and a final consumer, he/she has the possibility to resort free of charge to a conventional mediation procedure or any other alternative dispute resolution procedure.

13.4. The Customer may, if he/she wishes, use the Online Dispute Resolution Service (ODR) offered by the European Commission in accordance with article 14.1 of Regulation (EU) No. 524/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013.

This platform is available at: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/odr/. Recourse to mediation is an alternative mechanism that is not a prerequisite for taking legal action.

13.5. Any difficulties relating to the interpretation, performance and expiry of the Contract, the General Terms and Conditions of Sale or the services will be subject, in the absence of an amicable agreement under the above conditions, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent Paris Courts, even in the event of summary proceedings, third-party proceedings or multiple defendants.

As an exception to the foregoing, it is specified that, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation No. EC 44/2001 of 22 December 2000:

• the customer-consumer may choose to file a claim either before one of the territorially competent courts under the French Code of Civil Procedure, or before the courts where he/she was domiciled when the contract was concluded, or when the harmful event occurred, in accordance with Article R. 631-3 of the French Consumer Code;
• The Ritz Paris may file a claim before the courts where the customer is domiciled.

The Ritz Paris reserves the right to seek and obtain injunctions or orders to protect its rights hereunder.

13.6. In accordance with article L. 223-1 of the French Consumer Code, consumers who do not wish to be the subject of commercial canvassing by telephone can register free of charge on an opposition list to telephone canvassing. This list is accessible via the following website: www.bloctel.gouv.fr. Subject to the above, the customer however agrees to solicitations required for the performance of the contract in force and related to the scope of the said contract.

These terms and conditions of sale (the “Terms and Conditions of Sale”) apply to all products (the “Products”) sold via the website accessible at www.ritzparis.com/e-boutique (the “E-Boutique”) and specify the particular terms and conditions for orders, payments, deliveries, and returns. 

For any gift card order, the Client (as defined below) is advised to review the General Terms and Conditions of Use of the Ritz Paris gift card beforehand.

The Products are sold directly by Ritz Enterprise S.A., a limited company incorporated under Swiss law, headquartered at rue du Rhône 42, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland, registered in the Trade and Commercial Register of the Canton of Geneva under number CHE-100.374.228, with intra-community VAT number FR89915349385 (the “Seller"). Consequently, the Seller draws the Client’s attention to the fact that certain financial institutions may apply additional bank fees or commissions during the payment process. These fees are the responsibility of the Client and may vary depending on the payment method and the bank used.

The Seller's customer service contact details (the "Customer Service") are as follows: 

• Telephone: + 33 (0)1 43 16 32 22 
• Email: contact@eboutique.ritzparis.com 

ARTICLE 1 - SCOPE OF APPLICATION

The Terms and Conditions of Sale apply to all Product sales made via the E-Boutique for delivery in mainland France (including Corsica), Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Monaco, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden, Greece, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Switzerland, Japan, and the United States of America (the "Destination Country(ies)").

The online sale of products on the E-Boutique is exclusively reserved for consumer customers, as defined by the law and precedents, acting solely on their own account, with the full legal capacity to contract (the "Customer(s)"). 

The Seller has decided to limit each Product order to a maximum of three (3) identical units, with the exception of twelve (12) identical units for the entire tableware and champagne category. Requests to order larger quantities may be sent to the following email address: contact@eboutique.ritzparis.com.

ARTICLE 2 - ENTIRETY

The Terms and Conditions of Sale express the full obligations of the parties. They supersede all other terms and conditions, in particular those applicable to sales made through other distribution channels, including sales made at the Ritz Paris Hotel Concept Store.

ARTICLE 3 - PRE-CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION

The Customer declares that they have read the Terms and Conditions of Sale and all information listed in Article L. 221-5 of the French Consumer Code before placing their order. In this respect, the Customer must confirm that they accept the Terms and Conditions of Sale for each order placed on the E-Boutique by ticking the box "I accept the Ritz Paris Terms and Conditions of Sale and Privacy Policy, which are an integral part thereof". 

This confirmation upon placing the order will imply complete acceptance, without restriction or reservation, of these Terms and Conditions of Sale, which may be saved on a computer and/or printed by the Customer.

The Terms and Conditions of Sale are valid for as long as they appear on the E-Boutique. The Seller may amend and update these Terms and Conditions of Sale at any time; however, the valid Terms and Conditions of Sale are those in effect on the date the order is placed by the Customer and are those formally accepted by the latter.

In accordance with Articles L. 111-1 et seq. of the French Consumer Code, the essential characteristics and prices of Products sold electronically are available on the E-Boutique.

ARTICLE 4 – PRODUCTS

The Customer is required to refer to each Product description in order to know their properties and essential characteristics, as well as to the information relating to the composition of the Products, before placing an order. Choosing and purchasing a Product is the sole responsibility of the Customer.

The Products are described and presented as accurately as possible. However, the Seller will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this presentation. The photographs and illustrations shown on the E-Boutique are not contractual. The Seller will not be held responsible in the event of a discrepancy between these photographs and the Product chosen by the Customer.

The Customer agrees that, in the event of any dispute, the written Product information that appears on the E-Boutique will prevail over any oral statements made by the Seller or by employees or other personnel. 

ARTICLE 5 - SALE OF ALCOHOL AND MINORS

In accordance with Order no. 59-107 of January 7, 1959, Law no. 74-631 of July 5, 1974, and the provisions of Article L3342-1 of the French Public Health Code, amended by Law no. 2009-879 of July 21, 2009, the sale of alcohol to minors under the age of eighteen (18) is prohibited in France. 

Any Customer who orders alcohol confirms that they are of legal age and authorized to consume this type of product in accordance with the current regulations to which they are subject. Any violation of this article is the sole personal responsibility of the Customer.

The Seller specifies that it does not deliver alcohol to Japan or the United States of America.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for the health. Customers must know how to consume in moderation. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy may have serious health consequences for the child.

By placing an order on the E-Boutique, the Customer expressly waives their right to Article 1587 of the French Civil Code, which stipulates that the sale of wine shall become definitive and final only after it has been tasted and approved by the purchaser.

ARTICLE 6 - STOCKS

The Customer may place an order on the E-Boutique for any Product, subject to availability.

If, exceptionally, any of the Products ordered are not available (including in the case of simultaneous orders of the same Product by several Customers), the Seller will inform the Customer by email as soon as possible and will offer either to order another Product available on the E-Boutique as a replacement or to cancel the order. If the Customer chooses to cancel the order, the amount will be refunded by crediting the Customer's bank account within 14 days if the account has already been debited.

ARTICLE 7 - ORDERS

Ordering products from the E-boutique involves several steps: 

1. The Customer selects the Product(s), indicating the quantity required, and clicks on the "Add to cart" button. 
2. The Customer checks their shopping cart by clicking on the basket icon in the E-Boutique site header and corrects any errors.
3. After checking the shopping cart, the Customer proceeds to order their Products by clicking on "Payment", either through their Ritz Paris customer account or as a guest without creating a customer account.
4. To place an order, the Customer first enters their delivery details and billing address. They then choose the delivery method, with the option of adding a personalized message, and select the payment method from the options offered by the Seller.
5. The Customer is then asked to enter their bank details to pay for their order.
6. The Customer checks the order summary and accepts the Terms and Conditions of Sale before clicking on "Confirm your payment".

The sale is considered final once the Seller has sent the Customer a confirmation of order acceptance by email, and once the Seller has received payment in full.

Data recorded by the Seller for delivery and invoicing purposes are proof of all transactions between the Seller and Customer. In the event of a dispute concerning a transaction made on the E-Boutique, data recorded by the Seller will be considered irrefutable proof of the transaction content. Purchase orders and invoices are stored on a reliable, durable medium that can be used as proof.

For any order tracking inquiries, the Customer is invited to contact Customer Service at the above telephone number and email address.

ARTICLE 8 - PRICES AND CUSTOMS DUTIES

The Seller reserves the right to amend its prices at any time but undertakes to apply the prices in effect at the time of the order, subject to availability on that date.

Prices are given in euros. For deliveries to Destination Countries in the European Union, the VAT amount applicable on the order date is included in the price. 

Regarding the gift card, the sale price is understood to be excluding tax (excl. VAT). The VAT is calculated on the product and/or service purchased at the Hôtel Ritz Paris using the gift card, at the standard rate in effect.

Delivery charges are not included in the Product price and are charged separately. They vary according to the delivery address and shipping method chosen by the Customer. They are shown before the order is confirmed. 

Full payment must be made at the time of placing the order. At no time will the sums paid be considered as deposits or advance payments.

Should one or more taxes or contributions, including environmental taxes, be created or adjusted, whether increased or decreased, this change may be reflected in the Product selling prices.

Orders are shipped on a DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) basis, which means that all taxes and customs duties are payable by the Seller and included in the total price at the time of payment. 

ARTICLE 9 - DELIVERY

9.1. Customer deliveries

The delivery time includes the order preparation time, i.e., three (3) working days, plus transit time.

Products are delivered to the postal address given by the Customer at the time of placing the order, which appears on the delivery note. The Customer is responsible for information relating to the name and address of the recipient. This information must be true, accurate, and complete to enable proper delivery. Products ordered by the Customer on the E-Boutique can only be delivered to a Destination Country. 

The Customer can track the progress of their order delivery via their customer account, which they can create at any time from the E-Boutique, or via the link emailed to the Customer directly by the carrier. 

9.2. Delivery charges and times

Standard delivery is free on orders over:

• Two hundred (200) euros for deliveries to European Union member states;
• Two hundred and fifty (250) euros for deliveries to Switzerland;
• Four hundred (400) euros for deliveries to the United States of America.

Country Standard delivery method / Estimated delivery time

FRANCE (MAINLAND) Colissimo signed 1-2 days

MONACO Colissimo signed 1-2 days

Country Express delivery method / Estimated delivery time

FRANCE (MAINLAND) Chrono C13 1 day

MONACO   Chrono C13 1 day

Country Standard delivery method / Estimated delivery time

GERMANY Chrono Classic Europe 2 days

BELGIUM Chrono Classic Europe 2 days

LUXEMBOURG Chrono Classic Europe 2 days

NETHERLANDS Chrono Classic Europe 2 days

SWITZERLAND Colissimo International 3 days

AUSTRIA Chrono Classic Europe 3 days

DENMARK Chrono Classic Europe 3 days

SPAIN Chrono Classic Europe 2 days

PORTUGAL Chrono Classic Europe 4 days

ITALY UPS Standard 2-5 days

FINLAND Chrono Classic Europe 4 days

HUNGARY Chrono Classic Europe 4 days

POLAND Chrono Classic Europe 3 days

CZECH REPUBLIC Chrono Classic Europe 3 days

SLOVAKIA Chrono Classic Europe 3 days

SLOVENIA Chrono Classic Europe 3 days

SWEDEN Chrono Classic Europe 4 days

ANDORRA Chrono Classic Europe 2 days

CROATIA Chrono Classic Europe 3 days

ESTONIA Chrono Classic Europe 4 days

GREECE Chrono Classic Europe 5 days

LATVIA Chrono Classic Europe 4 days

LIECHTENSTEIN Chrono Classic Europe 2 days

LITHUANIA Chrono Classic Europe 4 days

ROMANIA Chrono Classic Europe 5 days

SAN MARINO UPS Standard 2-5 days

USA UPS Saver 1 day

JAPAN UPS Saver 2 days

Delivery will be made within thirty (30) days of the order at the latest unless otherwise stipulated, in which case the Customer will be informed before placing the order and will be given an expected delivery time.

Please note that delivery times may be extended during busy periods, such as holidays. The Seller invites Customers to place their orders in advance of these periods. Furthermore, as the physical gift card is shipped from the United Kingdom, delivery times may be extended in case of customs inspections.

9.3. Late delivery

In the event of a delay or lack of order tracking information from the carrier, the Seller will not be held responsible and will not be in a position to notify the Customer.

Any late deliveries must be reported in writing as soon as possible by the Customer to the Seller, who will make inquiries with the carriers concerned. The Customer may cancel their order if it has not been delivered by the original delivery date provided to the Customer, subject to the delay not being caused by the Customer or by force majeure.

The Seller will refund the amount to the bank account debited upon placing the order within a maximum period of fourteen (14) days from the date the Customer requests to cancel the order, or from the date the Seller concludes the investigation confirming the loss of the parcel, to the exclusion of any other compensation.

In the event of partial delivery of the order, several deliveries may be made, and this right concerns only the undelivered part of the order.

The Seller will not be held responsible for late delivery due to an incorrect address or the inability to deliver to the address provided. If the carrier is unable to contact the Customer, the Customer will not be entitled to a refund of the delivery charge by the Seller.

Please note that delivery times may be extended during busy periods, such as holidays. The Seller invites Customers to place their orders in advance of these periods. 

9.4. Product receipt

Each delivery will be considered complete when the Products are made available to the Customer by the carrier and recorded by the tracking system used by the carrier. No dispute relating to the delivery itself will be possible if the parcel appears to have been delivered according to the carrier's computer system.

In the event of receiving a damaged and/or defective Product, the Customer has seven (7) days in which to contact Customer Services and submit a claim, accompanied by the necessary supporting documents (photographs, etc.). Any complaints made to the Seller's Customer Service Department after this period or sent via any other channel will not be handled. 

ARTICLE 10 – LEGAL RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL

10.1. Principle

In accordance with article L221-18 of the French Consumer Code, the Customer has a period of fourteen (14) working days from the date of delivery of the Customer’s order to return any Product, for any reason, to request an exchange or refund, with having to provide reasons or incur any penalties.

Returns are available on all orders. However, and by way of exception, for orders that are shipped to the United States and Japan, the cost for returning items is fifty (50) euros for the United States and eighty (80) euros for Japan and these costs are deducted from the total amount refunded to the Customer.

10.2. Methods for exercising the right of withdrawal

A Customer wishing to exercise their right of withdrawal should log in to the order history within their customer account. If the Customer has placed their order using a guest account, they must create a customer account beforehand. The option to “Return a product” is available. The Customer must select the items they wish to return and select the reason for the return. 

Once the request has been submitted, the Seller will acknowledge receipt of the request by sending a return email containing a prepaid return label. 

The Customer will upload their purchase receipt to their customer account and then enclose the receipt in their return package. Items must be returned in their original state and must be complete (including packaging, accessories, instructions, etc.). Any damaged, soiled or incomplete Products will not be accepted. In particular, ready-to-wear Products must be returned in their original unworn and unwashed state. 

If these conditions are met, the Seller will refund the Customer for the total amount of the returned Products as well as any initial delivery costs (limited to standard delivery costs), with the refund being deposited in the bank account that was debited when the order was placed, within a maximum of fourteen (14) days starting from when the returned Products were received.

ARTICLE 10B – CONTRACTUAL RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL

Beyond the legal right of withdrawal applicable to consumers mentioned in article 10 above, the Seller also gives the Customer the option to return any Product within thirty (30) days from the date the Customer received the order. 

If Products are returned based on the contractual right of withdrawal, after the legal right of withdrawal period has expired, return costs will be met by the Seller. However, and by way of exception, the cost for returning items is fifty (50) euros for the United States and eighty (80) euros for Japan and these costs are deducted from the total amount refunded to the Customer.

Customers wishing to exercise their contractual right of withdrawal should refer to the procedure described in article 10.2.

ARTICLE 11 – LEGAL GUARANTEE

The Seller guarantees that the Products from the E-Boutique are fit for their intended purpose and do not have any flaws or hidden defects that could make them dangerous or unsuitable for normal usage. All Products for sale in the E-Boutique therefore carry a legal guarantee of conformity (as defined in articles L217-3 et. seq. in the French Consumer Code) and a warranty against hidden defects (as defined in articles 1641 et. seq. of the French Civil Code), giving the Customer the right to return without cost any defective or non-conforming Products delivered to them.

 11.1. Legal guarantee of conformity

Article L. 217-3 of the French Consumer Code states that “The seller shall deliver goods that comply with the contract and with the criteria set out in article L. 217-5. The seller is responsible for defects in conformity existing at the time of delivery of the goods within the meaning of article L. 216-1, which appear within a period of two years from the date of the contract. In the case of a contract for the sale of goods containing digital elements: 

1° Where the contract provides for the continuous supply of digital content or a digital service for a period of two years or less, or where the contract does not specify the duration of the supply, the seller is liable for any lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service that becomes apparent within two years of delivery of the goods;

2° Where the contract provides for the continuous supply of digital content or a digital service for a period of more than two years, the seller is liable for any lack of conformity of the digital content or digital service that becomes apparent during the period in which it is supplied under the contract.

For such goods, the applicable period does not deprive the consumer of his right to updates in accordance with the provisions of article L. 217-19. 

The seller is also liable, for the same period of time, for any lack of conformity resulting from the packaging, assembly instructions or installation when the latter was his responsibility under the contract or was carried out under his responsibility, or when the incorrect installation, carried out by the consumer as provided for in the contract, is due to shortcomings or errors in the installation instructions supplied by the seller. 

This warranty period applies without prejudice to articles 2224 et seq. of the [French] Civil Code. The starting point for the limitation period for the consumer’s action is the day on which the consumer becomes aware of the lack of conformity.”

Article L217-4 of the French Consumer Code states that: “The good conforms to the contract if it meets in particular, where applicable, the following criteria: 

1° It corresponds to the description, type, quantity and quality, in particular as regards functionality, compatibility, interoperability, or any other characteristic provided for in the contract;

2° It is fit for any special purpose intended by the consumer, made known to the seller no later than at the time of conclusion of the contract and accepted by the latter;

3° It is delivered with all the accessories and installation instructions that are to be supplied in accordance with the contract;

4° It is updated in accordance with the contract.

Article L217-5 of the French Consumer Code states that “I.-In addition to the criteria of conformity with the contract, goods are conforming if they meet the following criteria:

1° It is fit for the purpose normally expected of goods of the same type, taking into account, where applicable, any provisions of European Union law and national law as well as any technical standards or, in the absence of such technical standards, specific codes of conduct applicable to the sector concerned;

2° Where applicable, it possesses the qualities that the seller presented to the consumer in the form of a sample or model, prior to the conclusion of the contract;

3° Where applicable, the digital elements it contains are provided in the most recent version available at the time the contract is concluded, unless the parties agree otherwise;

4° Where applicable, it is supplied with all the accessories, including packaging, and installation instructions that the consumer may legitimately expect;

5° Where applicable, it is supplied with the updates that the consumer may legitimately expect, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 217-19;

6° It corresponds to the quantity, quality and other characteristics, including in terms of durability, functionality, compatibility and safety, that the consumer can legitimately expect for goods of the same type, taking into account the nature of the good as well as public statements made by the seller, by any person upstream in the chain of transactions, or by a person acting on their behalf, including in advertising or on labelling.

II.-However, the seller is not bound by any of the public statements mentioned in the previous paragraph if he demonstrates:

1° That he was not aware of them and could not legitimately have been aware of them;

2° That at the time the contract was concluded, the public statements had been corrected under conditions comparable to the initial statements; or

3° That the public statements could not have influenced the decision to purchase.

III.-The consumer may not contest the conformity by invoking a defect relating to one or more particular characteristics of the goods, which he was specifically informed deviated from the criteria of conformity set out in this article, a deviation to which he expressly and separately consented when the contract was concluded.” 

  11.2. Warranty against hidden defects

Article 1641 of the French Civil Code states that “the seller is liable for any hidden defects in the item sold which render it unfit for its intended use, or which impair that use to such an extent that the buyer would not have purchased it, or would only have paid a lower price for it, had he been aware of them.”

Article 1648 of the French Civil Code states that “the action resulting from hidden defects shall be brought by the purchaser within two years of discovery of the defect. In the case provided for by Article 1642-1, the action must be brought, on pain of foreclosure, within one year of the date on which the seller may be relieved of the defects or apparent lack of conformity.”

11.3. Warranty exclusions

Any Products that have been modified, repaired, integrated into other products or added to by the Customer are excluded from warranty. The warranty does not apply to visible defects. The warranty does not take into account any Products damaged during transport or as a result of incorrect usage.

11.4. Methods for exercising legal warranties

When dealing with a legal guarantee of conformity, the Customer:

- has two years to take action, starting from when the item was delivered;

- can choose between repair or replacement of the item, in accordance with article L217-9 of the French Consumer Code;

- is exempt from providing proof of the existence of the item's defect of conformity for six months following the delivery of the item.

The legal guarantee of conformity applies independently of any potential commercial warranty that is agreed.

The Customer can decide to exercise the warranty against hidden defects in the item as defined in article 1641 of the French Civil Code. Under these circumstances, the Customer can choose to return the item for a refund or keep the item and receive a partial refund in accordance with article 1644 of the French Civil Code.

For any questions regarding legal warranties, the Customer should contact the Customer Service team using the above contact details. These provisions are not mutually exclusive of the right of withdrawal defined in article 10 above.

11.5. Consequences when exercising warranties

As part of the legal guarantee of conformity, the Seller agrees to give the Customer the choice:

• either to replace the Product with an identical product, based on available stock;
• or to refund the full price of the Product within a maximum of 30 days, if it is not possible to replace the Product.

As part of the warranty against hidden defects, the Seller agrees, after assessing the hidden defect, to give the Customer the choice:

• either to refund the full price of the returned Product, within a maximum of 30 days;
• or to refund part of the Product price within a maximum of 30 days, if the Customer decides to keep the Product.

ARTICLE 12 – FORCE MAJEURE

Any circumstances outside of the Seller’s control that prevent the Seller from fulfilling its obligations under standard conditions are considered to be causes that exempt the Seller from its obligations and will result in their suspension.

Force majeure circumstances include any unavoidable, unforeseeable, or inevitable circumstances that are external to the parties, outside of their control and cannot be prevented by the parties, despite all reasonable efforts. The following are expressly considered to be force majeure or unforeseeable circumstances, beyond those typically included by French jurisprudence in courts and tribunals: blockage of transport or supply routes, earthquakes, fires, storms, flooding, lightning strikes, telecommunication network outages or telecommunication network difficulties outside of the Customer’s control.

If the Seller wishes to invoke the circumstances mentioned above, they must immediately notify the Customer of this fact.

If the Seller is unable to fulfil their obligations and they are suspended for more than fifteen (15) days, the Customer has the option to cancel their in-progress order and ask the Seller for a refund as soon as possible by crediting the order amount to the Customer’s bank account.

ARTICLE 13 – INTELLECTUAL PPROPERTY

The website content (technical documents, images, photography, etc.) remains the property of the Seller who is the sole Intellectual Property Rights Holder of this content.

Customers must not use this content for any purpose. Any total or partial reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited and could be considered to be copyright infringement.

ARTICLE 14 – PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

In order to sell its Products online, the Seller needs to collect the personal data required to store, process and monitor orders. The personal data collected for each Customer include title, last name, first name, delivery address, billing address, email address, password (if the Customer has a customer account) and telephone number.

The Customer is informed that the data concerning them can only be partly or fully communicated to service providers used by the Seller as part of the order fulfilment process (payments and deliveries in particular). These service providers are also committed to data privacy and security in accordance with current personal data protection legislation.

The Customer’s personal data are collected and processed in accordance with current personal data protection legislation and with the E-Boutique’s Privacy Policy. Link

The Customer has a continuous right of access, right to rectification and right to object with regard to the information concerning them. These rights can be exercised by sending an email to the following email address: dpo@ritzgroupservices.com or by writing a letter to the following address: Ritz Group Services, Equipe en charge de la protection des données, 3 rue La Boétie, 75008 Paris, France.

ARTICLE 15 – PARTIAL INVALIDATION

If one or more stipulations within the Terms and Conditions of Sale are found to be invalid or declared invalid following the application of a legal requirement or regulation, or following a definitive decision by a competent jurisdiction, the other stipulations will still remain fully in force.

ARTICLE 16 – NON-WAIVER

The failure of a party to pursue any breach of any of the provisions of the Terms and Conditions of Sale will not be construed as a waiver of any continuing or future breach of the provision in question.

ARTICLE 17 – LANGUAGE

These Terms and Conditions of Sale were originally written in French. When translated into one or more foreign languages, only the French wording will apply in the event of a legal dispute. The fact that the Seller might habitually communicate with the Customer in a language other than French cannot under any circumstances be considered to be an opt-out in the application of these Terms and Conditions of Sale or any of the stipulations therein.

ARTICLE 18 – MEDIATION

In the event of a dispute between the Customer and the Seller, the two parties will endeavour to reach an amicable solution.

If such a solution cannot be reached, the Customer may refer the case free of charge to the relevant consumer mediator, which in this case is the “Association des Médiateurs Européens” (AME CONSO – Association of European Mediators), within one year of the date of the written claim addressed to the Seller.

Referral to the consumer mediator must be made as follows:

• either by completing the form designed for this purpose on the AME CONSO website: www.mediationconso-ame.com;
• or by sending a letter addressed to AME CONSO, 197 Boulevard Saint Germain, 75007 Paris, France. 

In addition, the European Commission provides an online platform for resolving disputes, available via this link: 

https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/main/index.cfm?event=main.home2.show&lng=FiciR. 

ARTICLE 19 – APPLICABLE LAW

The Terms and Conditions of Sale are executed and interpreted in accordance with French law, subject to mandatory regulations applicable to the Customer’s country of residence.

Any issues or disputes regarding orders and/or Terms and Conditions of Sale that are not resolved by mediation will be handled exclusively by French courts that have territorial jurisdiction based on the French Code of Civil Procedure. 

ARTICLE 1 – SCOPE

These general terms and conditions of sale (the “Terms”) apply to passionate amateurs (hereinafter referred to as the “Client”) participating in courses and workshops (the “Course/Workshop”) delivered by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s team, and carried out at the premises of

The Ritz Hotel, Limited, a company governed by laws of England & Wales, registered under number 00048125, with its registered office located at Third Floor, 20 Old Bailey, EC4M 7AN London (United Kingdom), and its principal establishment (the “Ritz Paris Hotel”) located at 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris (France), registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 572 219 913 (the “Ecole Ritz Escoffier”),

and in particular at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier premises or at external sites (individually a “Party” or collectively the “Parties”).  

These Terms, the booking confirmation and the invoice constitute the contract (the “Contract”) between the Client and the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. Any document other than these Terms, including but not limited to catalogs, brochures, advertisements, and information leaflets, is for informational purposes only and is non-contractual.

In the event of a conflict between the Terms and the booking confirmation, the booking confirmation signed shall prevail. Furthermore, the fact that the Ecole Ritz Escoffier does not invoke any of these Terms at a given time shall not be interpreted as a waiver of its right to invoke any of the provisions at a later date.

ARTICLE 2 – ENFORCEMENT

Any registration for one or more Course(s)/Workshop(s) implies the Client’s full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms. The applicable version of the Terms is the one in effect on the date of the booking confirmation. The Ecole Ritz Escoffier may amend the Terms from time to time by providing written notice to the Client. No conflicting, additional, or modified clause may be invoked or enforced against the Ecole Ritz Escoffier unless expressly accepted in writing by the latter.

ARTICLE 3 – VALIDITY OF OFFER

The validity period of the Course/Workshop offers is thirty (30) days from the date delivery of the brochure with the quotation, unless otherwise stated on the website: (the “Website”), or in the current brochure and/or quotation at the time of the offer.

ARTICLE 4 – BOOKING PROCEDURE

The Client may register directly on the Ecole Ritz Escoffier Website or by email at: ecole@ritzparis.com. Once full payment for the Course/Workshop has been made and validated, the Client will receive a written booking confirmation by email. The Client may also contact the Ecole Ritz Escoffier by phone to make a reservation. The Client acknowledges that their booking for the Courses/Workshops is only considered final upon:

• written booking confirmation by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier Management;
• receipt of full corresponding prepayment.

No booking request can be finalized without proof of bank transfer, the details of which are provided in the quotation, unless specific terms have been expressly accepted by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

ARTICLE 5 – RATES

The applicable rates are those listed in the quotation and/or in the Ecole Ritz Escoffier brochure and/or on its Website at the time of the Client’s booking.

ARTICLE 6 – PAYMENT

All payments shall be made in Euros by bank transfer or with a secure payment link and/or using the Ritz Paris gift card, in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions of Use for the Ritz Paris gift card and will be subject to VAT. In the event that payment is made in another currency, the applicable exchange rate shall be the one applicable to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier on the date of payment.

All bank charges shall be borne exclusively by the Client.           

The Client who wishes to receive the invoice corresponding to their Course/Workshop, whether by email or by post, must submit an express written request to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. For Courses/Workshops sold remotely, a receipt is automatically issued and sent to the Client electronically.

ARTICLE 7 – COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

The Courses/Workshops are provided by highly qualified Chefs selected by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and its experts. The Chefs may be assisted by culinary assistants when deemed necessary by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. Whether practical or theoretical, all Courses/Workshops are provided in French and/or English, depending on the language spoken by the participants. All participants must be fluent in one of these two languages to ensure proper understanding of the Course/Workshop.

The recipes are made available to the Client in digital format, in both French and English, and can be downloaded via a QR code provided at the end of the Course/Workshop.

The content, form, price, and schedule of the Course/Workshop are detailed in the descriptive offer of the said Course/Workshop, available on the Ecole Ritz Escoffier Website.

The Courses/Workshops offered by the École Ritz Escoffier constitute catering services provided on a specific date or at defined periodicity within the meaning of Article L. 221-28 of the French Consumer Code. As a result, the Client does not benefit from the right of withdrawal provided under Article L. 222-7 of the French Consumer Code in the case of an online purchase on the École Ritz Escoffier website.

ARTICLE 8 – PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier has two (2) kitchens and one (1) pastry lab for the Courses/Workshops. Professional utensils and equipment necessary for the execution of the Courses/Workshops are available for the Client during the Course/Workshop.

ARTICLE 9 – CERTIFICATES

The École Ritz Escoffier will give a certificate to Clients who have participated in the Courses/Workshops.

ARTICLE 10 – EARLY TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT

10.1. Rescheduling and cancellation by the Client:

If, for any reason (excluding force majeure), the Client cancels his/her booking, he/she must notify the Ecole Ritz Escoffier by email or by post (postmark serving as proof) at least eight (8) days before the start of the Course/Workshop. Only one postponement will be allowed, and a new date will be set based on availability of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, within one (1) year following the cancellation. In the case of payment by gift card, the new registration date must not exceed the expiration date of the beneficiary’s gift card.

• If the Client provides a medical certificate proving their inability to attend a Course/Workshop at least forty-eight (48) hours before its scheduled start, they may reschedule the Course/Workshop, subject to availability, within one (1) year following the original date.
• If the Client does not attend the Course/Workshop on the scheduled day, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier will not issue any refund.

10.2. Rescheduling and cancellation by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier:

The École Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to cancel or postpone a Course/Workshop within eight (8) days prior to its scheduled start date, either due to an insufficient number of participants or if the Chef assigned to the Course/Workshop is unable to conduct the session.

In such cases, the École Ritz Escoffier will offer the Client either a rescheduling of the Course/Workshop to a new date (within six (6) months following the cancellation) or a full refund of the Course/Workshop fee.

10.3. Rescheduling and cancellation – Force majeure event:

Force majeure refers to any event beyond the control of the affected Party that prevents the proper execution of the Contract, due to unforeseeable, irresistible, and external circumstances as defined by French law (Article 1218 of the Civil Code) and French case law. This includes, but is not limited to, strikes, natural disasters, riots, wars, epidemics or other damages, acts or actions of government authorities, fires, and any other circumstance with a similar effect.

In the event of force majeure:

a) The Party invoking force majeure must inform the other Party as soon as possible by email with delivery notice and acknowledgment of receipt;

b) If such circumstances occur, the execution of the Contract shall be suspended for the period of said circumstances and their consequences.

The Parties shall then meet to discuss the consequences of such a situation and seek mutually acceptable solutions to either continue or terminate the Contract.

If no agreement is reached within two (2) months from the date of the force majeure event, and if the event persists, either Party may terminate the Contract by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, with immediate effect, without judicial intervention and without any compensation being due.

If one of the Parties is prevented from fulfilling any of its obligations under the Contract due to a force majeure event, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall refund all amounts paid by the Client.

However, if the force majeure event occurs less than nine (9) days before the event date and cancellation is notified by either Party, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier will retain thirty percent (30%) of the amount paid by the Client and refund the remaining amounts.

For the avoidance of doubt, no compensation may be claimed by either Party.

It is specified that in the event of cancellation due to force majeure, the Client remains obligated to pay any amounts due, in accordance with the provisions of the Contract.

ARTICLE 11 – OBSERVANCE OF INSTRUCTIONS

The Client is required to comply with all instructions and guidelines provided by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier staff throughout the duration of the Course/Workshop.

In the event of a dispute between the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and the Client due to non-compliance with these instructions, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to suspend the Course/Workshop and/or exclude the Client from the Class/Workshop and/or retain the full amount paid by the Client for the Course/Workshop.

ARTICLE 12 – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

RITZ ENTERPRISE SA, a public limited company governed by law of Switzerland, with its registered office at Rue du Rhône 42, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland, registered with the Geneva Commercial Register under number CHE-100.374.228 (“RESA”), is the exclusive owner of the trademarks “Ritz” and/or “Ritz Paris,” as well as “Ritz Escoffier,” whether word marks or semi-figurative marks, and all other distinctive or graphic signs, registered or unregistered, used by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier (the “Trademarks”).

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier holds all intellectual property rights and copyrights related to the content of its Courses/Workshops, including all materials and documents provided to Clients during the Courses/Workshops.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier also holds all intellectual property rights and copyrights to its database, as well as to all materials and documents published online.

Any reproduction, modification, or disclosure by third parties of part or all of the content of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s Courses/Workshops, including all materials and documents, in any form whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior written authorization of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

The Client is expressly prohibited from recording all or a substantial part of the Courses/Workshops at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and/or distributing these recordings, whether video or audio, made during a Course/Workshop without the prior written authorization of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

However, occasional social media posts (such as stories, photos, or short videos), made with respect for the image of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and its participants, are accepted unless otherwise instructed by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

The Client acknowledges that the Trademarks, including “Ritz Paris” and “Ritz Escoffier,” are registered trademarks owned by RESA and protected worldwide. No use of the Trademarks or any similar sign is permitted except to inform third parties that the Client has attended a Course/Workshop at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, subject to the conditions below.

The Client is generally prohibited from reproducing, directly or indirectly, modifying, translating, representing, marketing, or distributing the name “Ecole Ritz Escoffier” without the prior, express, and written authorization of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

In all cases, any communication by either Party regarding the Course/Workshop that includes the names and/or logos of the other Party must be subject to the prior written approval of the other Party.

ARTICLE 13 – LIABILITY AND INSURANCE

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier holds civil liability insurance. However, the Client is required to have their own insurance in case of an accident.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not be held liable for any physical injury resulting from negligence or willful misconduct by the Client or from improper application of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s instructions during practical exercises conducted as part of the Courses/Workshops.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not be liable for any damage or loss of personal belongings brought by Clients to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. Each Client is responsible for safeguarding their personal items.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from the consumption of dishes prepared during the Courses/Workshops if such consumption does not comply with the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s instructions and/or if the dishes are taken away by the Client outside the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s premises.

ARTICLE 14 – CONFIDENTIALITY

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall keep strictly private and confidential all information and documents disclosed by the Client that relate to the Client’s trade secrets and/or business operations, including but not limited to the terms of the Contract, any information regarding the Client’s activities or operating methods (“Confidential Information”).

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not use, copy, or disclose such Confidential Information on behalf of or to any third party. This does not prevent disclosure required by law and does not apply to information and documents that are or become publicly available without breach of confidentiality.

Throughout the duration of the Contract and for a period of ten (10) years following its termination or expiration, regardless of the reason, the Parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of all information, of any nature, obtained during or in connection with the negotiation, preparation, and/or execution of the Contract, which was not or is not publicly accessible. This includes, but is not limited to, any document containing or reflecting information related to the Contract, as well as the existence and signing of the Contract.

Each Party agrees to take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with the confidentiality obligations set forth in this Article 14, for the Client – as a legal entity - including by its agents, employees, and contractors. Each Party shall be liable for any breach of this obligation by its agents, employees, affiliates, partners, or subcontractors.

ARTICLE 15 – PERSONAL DATA

As part of the delivery of its Courses/Workshops, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier may collect personal data as defined in Article 4.1 of the European Regulation 2016/679 of April 27, 2016, provided by the Client during registration, document submission, occasional audiovisual recordings, or photographs taken at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier (hereinafter referred to as “Data”). The Ecole Ritz Escoffier undertakes to process this data in accordance with European Regulation 2016/679 of April 27, 2016, and French Law No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978, as amended, known as the “Data Protection Act” (hereinafter referred to as the “Applicable Provisions”).

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier commits to using the Data lawfully and solely for the purposes of the Contract and for internal and external communication (social media, website, newsletter, etc.). The Client guarantees the origin and compliance of the Data they may provide to the École Ritz Escoffier with applicable regulations, particularly regarding the purposes for which the Data was collected, and its duration and location of storage. As the data controller, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier also undertakes to:

• maintain records of Data processing activities ;
• Implement necessary security and confidentiality measures for the Data;
• Enable Data Subjects to exercise their rights regarding their Data;
• Use only secure channels for the transmission of Data to the École Ritz Escoffier;
• Document in writing any instructions when providing Data to the École Ritz Escoffier.

It is reminded that Data Subjects have the right to access, modify, rectify, delete, restrict, port, and object to the processing of their Data, and may revoke their consent at any time.

Data Subjects may exercise their rights directly with the École Ritz Escoffier, which undertakes to respond within the regulatory timeframes, and to inform the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, in writing to : DPO, Ecole Ritz Escoffier, 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France ; or by email to dpo@ritzparis.com.

Data is retained only for the time strictly necessary to fulfill the intended purposes, and in particular, for a period of five (5) years to comply with legal obligations, resolve potential disputes, and enforce contractual commitments.

ARTICLE 16 – DISPUTE RESOLUTION

These Terms are governed by French law.

In the event of a dispute between the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and the Client – if the Client is a natural person – both parties shall endeavor to reach an amicable resolution.

If no amicable agreement is reached, the Client may refer the matter free of charge to the consumer mediator to which the professional belongs, namely the Association des Médiateurs Européens (AME CONSO), within one (1) year from the date of the written complaint submitted to the professional.

The referral to the consumer mediator may be made:

• by completing the form available on the AME CONSO website: www.mediationconso-ame.com ;
• or by mail addressed to AME CONSO, 197 Boulevard Saint Germain – 75007 PARIS.

Additionally, at the European level, the European Commission provides an online dispute resolution platform accessible at the following link :

https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/main/index.cfm?event=main.home2.show&lng=FiciR.

Any difficulty or dispute concerning the Courses/Workshops and/or these Terms that is not resolved through mediation shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the French courts, either those territorially competent under the French Code of Civil Procedure, or the court of the Client’s place of residence at the time of registration for the Course/Workshop, or the court where the harmful event occurred.

Any dispute relating to the Courses/Workshops and/or these Terms will fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the French courts, either those territorially competent under the French Code of Civil Procedure, or the court of the Client’s place of residence at the time of registration, or the place where the damage occurred.

Any dispute between the École Ritz Escoffier and the Client – as a legal entity – regarding the interpretation or application of these Terms shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Paris.

ARTICLE 17 – GOVERNING LANGUAGE

The Terms are drafted in French, which shall be the sole language of interpretation. Any translation (including into English) is provided for informational purposes only and shall have no legal effect.

ARTICLE 1 – SCOPE

These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (hereinafter referred to as the “Terms”) apply to cooking enthusiasts or persons seeking to become professionals in the Hospitality and Catering industries (hereinafter referred to as the “Trainee(s)” or the “Beneficiary(ies)”) by participating in professional training courses (hereinafter referred to as the “Training”) carried out at the premises of

The Ritz Hotel, Limited, a company governed by laws of England & Wales, registered under number 00048125, with its registered office located at Third Floor, 20 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7AN, United Kingdom ) and its principal place of business at (the “Ritz Paris Hotel”) located at 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris (France), registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 572 219 913,

and in particular at the École Ritz Escoffier or at external sites (hereinafter referred to as the “École Ritz Escoffier”).

These Terms, the signed training agreement or contract, and the invoice(s) constitute the entire agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Training Contract or Agreement”) between the Trainee or the Beneficiary, respectively, and the École Ritz Escoffier. Any document other than these Terms, including but not limited to catalogs, brochures, advertisements, and information leaflets, is provided for informational purposes only and is non-contractual.

These Terms, the signed Training Contract or Agreement and the corresponding invoice shall constitute the entire agreement between the Trainee or the Beneficiary, respectively, and the Ecole Ritz Escoffier (referred to as "the Training Contract or Training Agreement").

In the event of any conflict between the Terms and the Training Contract or Agreement, it is specified that the Training Contract or Agreement shall prevail over the Terms. Finally, the fact that the École Ritz Escoffier does not invoke any of the provisions of these Terms at a given time shall not be interpreted as a waiver of its right to invoke any of said provisions at a later date.

ARTICLE 2 – ENFORCEMENT

Any registration for one or more Training courses implies full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms by the Trainee or the Beneficiary. The applicable version of the Terms is the one in force on the date of signature of the Training Contract or Agreement. No contrary, additional, or modifying clause may be invoked or enforced against the École Ritz Escoffier unless it has been expressly accepted in writing by the École Ritz Escoffier.

ARTICLE 3 – VALIDITY OF OFFER

The validity period of the École Ritz Escoffier’s Training course offers is thirty (30) days from the date of delivery of the brochure with the quotation, unless otherwise stated on the website: (hereinafter referred to as the “Website”) in force at the time of the offer.

ARTICLE 4 – REGISTRATION AND ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

Validation by the École Ritz Escoffier of any registration is subject to the following conditions.

The registration of the applicant (hereinafter referred to as the “Applicant”) for the desired Training course using the registration form (hereinafter referred to as the “Form”) is available upon written request sent to the following email address: ecole@ritzparis.com, no later than two (2) weeks before the start date of the Training. It is specified that any Form submitted by the Applicant within two (2) weeks prior to the start of the Training does not exclude the possibility of admission to said Training, subject to availability and the conditions specified below.

The École Ritz Escoffier undertakes to respond to the Applicant within seven (7) days.

As part of the admission process and prior to the Applicant’s registration, the École Ritz Escoffier will offer the Applicant an interview, either in person or remotely (via videoconference). Following acceptance of the registration request by the Management of the École Ritz Escoffier and upon receipt of the documents listed in the Form, a professional Training Contract or Agreement will be sent to the Applicant.

It is specified that the Applicant will have a withdrawal period, in accordance with the terms of the professional Training Contract or Agreement and as detailed in Article 8 of these Terms below. Upon expiration of said withdrawal period, the Applicant agrees to pay an initial deposit of thirty percent (30%) of the total cost of the Training, and seventy percent (70%) during the course of the Training, according to the payment schedule set out in the professional Training Contract or Agreement.

The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that acceptance of his/her application for the Training course(s) is subject to a preliminaryinterview with the École Ritz Escoffier. The Applicant shall submit, via email all documents listed in the Form to the École Ritz Escoffier and shall pay the aforementioned first installment. Failing this, the application shall not be deemedconfirmed..

The Applicant is informed that the École Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to refuse any registration.

ARTICLE 5 – RATES

The applicable rates are those listed in the École Ritz Escoffier brochure and/or on its current Website at the time of the Applicant’s registration.

ARTICLE 6 – PAYMENT

There is no discount for early payment.

All payments must be made in euros and are subject to the applicable VAT (20%).

If payments are made in a foreign currency, the applicable exchange rate will be the one in effect at the Ritz Paris Hotel on the day of payment. All bank charges are the sole responsibility of the Trainee or the Beneficiary.

Payment for the Training must be made by:

• cheque made payable to "THE RITZ HOTEL, LIMITED",
• bank transfer, specifying the name of the Trainee or Beneficiary, the title and the dates of the Training, or
• credit card (via a secure payment link).

In particular, the payment of the initial deposit for the Training (as per Article 4) must be made at the end of the withdrawal period and before the start of the Training, for the Candidate’s admission to be confirmed.

The École Ritz Escoffier may occasionally grant special payment terms to Trainees or Beneficiaries, as specified in the Training Contract or Agreement.

The École Ritz Escoffier may send invoices related to deposit payments to the Trainee by email following acceptance.

For organisations covering the Beneficiary’s costs, the invoicing and payment terms will be specified in the Training Contract or Agreement. Any company based within the European Union (excluding France) must indicate its intra-community VAT number on the Form for invoicing purposes.

In the case of potential funding by a sponsoring organisation (OPCA, OPCO, etc.), it is the Beneficiary’s responsibility to:

• submit the funding request before the start of the Training and ensure that the designated organisation accepts the request;
• explicitly indicate on the Form and in the Training Contract or Agreement which organisation is to be invoiced and for what amount, including its contact details. If the funding file from the third-party organisation is not received by the École Ritz Escoffier before the first day of the Training, the full cost of the Training will be invoiced to the Beneficiary.

If the third-party organisation refuses to pay the agreed amount due to the Beneficiary’s absence, withdrawal, or for any other reason, the Beneficiary will be liable for the full cost of the Training, which will then be invoiced to them.

In the case of partial coverage by the third-party organisation or any other third party, the remaining balance will be invoiced directly to the Trainee or Beneficiary.

ARTICLE 7 – LATE PAYMENT PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS IN THE EVENT OF NON-PAYMENT

In the event of total or partial non-payment of an amount due by its due date, and following two (2) written reminders, the Trainee or the Beneficiary will be informed in writing (by email and/or formal notice letter) of the situation and invited to settle the payment within five (5) days from receipt of said notification.

If payment is not settled within this period, late payment penalties may be applied, calculated at the legal interest rate in effect, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 441-10 of the French Commercial Code. These penalties shall only become payable after a formal notice remains unanswered, and without the need for any further reminder.

No fixed compensation for recovery costs will be applied to the Trainee or Beneficiary, except in the case of legal proceedings initiated to recover the amounts due.

However, a fixed compensation of forty (40) euros for recovery costs shall be charged to the Organisation, in accordance with Article L. 441-10 of the French Commercial Code. If the actual recovery costs exceed this amount, additional compensation may be claimed upon justification.

Finally, in the event of non-payment (partial or full), following a formal notice that remains unanswered within five (5) business days, the École Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to:

• suspend access to the ongoing training;
• deny access to any future training;
• terminate the Training Contract or Agreement, after prior notification.

The Trainee or Beneficiary retains the right to dispute the amounts claimed and to request a payment schedule, subject to acceptance by the École Ritz Escoffier.

ARTICLE 8 – COURSES

The Training courses are delivered by highly qualified Chef instructors from the École Ritz Escoffier. Chefs may be assisted from time to time when deemed necessary by the École Ritz Escoffier.

Generally, all Training courses are conducted in French and consecutively translated into English for non-French-speaking Trainees or Beneficiaries. All Trainees or Beneficiaries must demonstrate a level of French and/or English sufficient to read, understand, and communicate fluently in French and/or English to ensure proper comprehension of the Training. The École Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to reject a registration request if the Candidate’s language level is deemed insufficient by the School’s Management.

To guarantee the effectiveness and interactivity of the Training, the number of Trainees or Beneficiaries per session will be limited. A copy of the recipes will be provided in the language of the Trainee’s or Beneficiary’s choice (French or English).

The content, format, and schedule of the Training course(s) are detailed in the Training Contract or Agreement and on the École Ritz Escoffier’s Website, except in the case of special offers.

The Trainee or Beneficiary unconditionally agrees to comply with the internal rules of the École Ritz Escoffier, provided at the time of signing the Training Contract or Agreement or sent by email.

The Training courses provided by the École Ritz Escoffier constitute a training service delivered on a specific date or at a defined frequency, within the meaning of Articles L. 6353-1 et seq. and R. 6313-1 of the French Labour Code.

The Trainee or Beneficiary has a ten (10) day withdrawal period from the date of signing the Training Contract or Agreement, in accordance with Article L. 6353-5 of the French Labour Code.

In the case of a Training Contract or Agreement concluded remotely following a telephone solicitation or outside the premises, the Trainee or Beneficiary benefits from a fourteen (14) day withdrawal period, as provided by Article L. 222-7 of the French Consumer Code.

The Trainee or Beneficiary wishing to withdraw from the Training Contract or Agreement must inform the École Ritz Escoffier by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. In such cases, no payment may be required from the Trainee or Beneficiary before the expiration of the applicable withdrawal period.

ARTICLE 9 – TRAINING DOCUMENTS

All teaching materials, as well as the Ecole Ritz Escoffier rules and regulations, will be given to the Trainee or Beneficiary, in a single copy and in a single language, upon signature of the Contract or Training Agreement at the time of effective enrolment and at the latest at the beginning of Training. These documents will not be replaced by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier in the event of loss or theft.

All educational materials, as well as the internal regulations of the École Ritz Escoffier, will be provided for signature at the time of signing the Training Contract or Agreement, either upon official registration or, at the latest, at the beginning of the training. These documents will be given to the Trainee or Beneficiary in a single copy and in one language only (French or English), subject to the provisions of Article 24 of the Terms. The École Ritz Escoffier will not replace these documents in case of loss or theft.

ARTICLE 10 – DATES AND TIMES

The Training schedules shall be communicated to the Trainee or the Beneficiary no later than eight (8) days prior to the commencement of the Training. Training sessions may be held in the morning, afternoon, and/or evening. The Ecole Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to amend the schedules and times of the Training sessions up to forty-eight (48) hours before the start of each session

ARTICLE 11 – PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier is equipped with two (2) kitchens and one (1) pastry laboratory. All professional equipment and utensils required for the execution of the Training are made available to the Trainees or Beneficiaries.

ARTICLE 12 – CHEF UNIFORMS

Wearing professional uniforms is mandatory. To this end, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall provide the Trainee or the Beneficiary with one (1) complete uniform (jacket, trousers, apron, and toque), which will be cleaned daily by the Ritz Paris Hotel’s laundry service. The Trainee or the Beneficiary shall have access to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier changing rooms. A charge of one hundred and fifty euros (€150) shall apply for any uniform that is damaged or not returned at the end of the Training. The Trainee or the Beneficiary is required to wear their own safety shoes at all times during the Training; the cost of such footwear shall be borne by the Trainee or the Beneficiary. No footwear will be provided or loaned by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier on site.

ARTICLE 13 – HANDS-ON-TRAINING AT THE ECOLE RITZ ESCOFFIER KITCHENS AND PASTRY LAB

Access to this practical immersion is subject to approval by the Management of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and is dependent on availability.

Upon completion of the “Ecole Ritz Escoffier Cuisine Diploma” Training, and provided the Trainee or Beneficiary successfully passes the practical examinations and continuous assessments of the three (3) levels (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), they may participate in a four (4)-week professional immersion within the kitchens of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

Upon completion of the “Ritz Escoffier Pastry Diploma” Training, and provided the Trainee or Beneficiary successfully passes the practical examinations and continuous assessments of the three (3) levels (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), they may participate in a four (4)-week professional immersion in the Pastry section of the Ritz Paris kitchens.

Upon completion of the “Ecole Ritz Escoffier Culinary Arts Diploma” Training, and provided the Trainee or Beneficiary successfully passes the practical examinations and continuous assessments of the six (6) levels (including all levels of the above-mentioned programs), they may participate in an eight (8)-week professional immersion within the kitchens of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

These practical immersion periods within the kitchens and/or pastry section of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier are non-renewable, unpaid, and do not require an internship agreement. The duration of the Training may be extended, subject to the prior written consent of the Parties and within a maximum limit of eight (8) additional weeks, as well as the signing of an amendment freely negotiated in good faith between the Parties.

ARTICLE 14 – CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS

For long-term Training programs (exceeding one week), the Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall issue a certificate or diploma of successful completion and skills validation to Trainees or Beneficiaries who have passed the practical examination or continuous assessment, serving as a certificate of professional qualification.

For short-term Training programs (one week or less), a certificate of attendance will be issued to the Trainees or Beneficiaries

ARTICLE 15 – EARLY TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

15.1 RESCHEDULING OR CANCELLATION BY TRAINEE OF BENEFICIARY :

• If, for any reason, the Trainee or the Beneficiary cancels their Training, he/she must notify the Ecole Ritz Escoffier in writing as soon as possible, either by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt or by email to ecole@ritzparis.com (with proof of receipt being the responsibility of the Trainee or Beneficiary):
• If the cancellation occurs sixty (60) days or more before the scheduled start date of the Training, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier will fully refund any deposits paid or, at the request of the Trainee or Beneficiary, reschedule the Training within six (6) months following the cancellation.
• If the cancellation occurs between the 59th and the 30th day before the scheduled start date of the Training, fifty percent (50%) of the total deposit amount will be retained by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. The Trainee or Beneficiary will also have the option to apply fifty percent (50%) of the amount already paid toward a future Training session within six (6) months of the originally scheduled start date. No further deferrals will be accepted by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.
• If the Trainee or Beneficiary is unable to attend the Training due to a duly recognized force majeure event, as defined under applicable French law and jurisprudence, the training contract or agreement shall be terminated. In such cases, only the services actually provided shall be payable, on a pro rata basis, according to the value stipulated in this Contract or Training Agreement."

15.2 RESCHEDULING OR CANCELLATION BY RITZ PARIS :

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to cancel or postpone any Training session within fifteen (15) days prior to its scheduled start date. In such cases, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall offer the Trainee or Beneficiary the option either to reschedule the Training to a later date (within six (6) months following the cancellation) or to receive a full refund of the Training fee.

In the event of a force majeure, duly recognised under applicable French law and jurisprudence, affecting the facilities of the Ritz Paris Hotel, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier may be released from its obligations or suspend the execution of the Contract or Training Agreement if it becomes impossible to fulfill them.

15.3 TERMINATION OF TRAINING FOR NON-ACQUIRED LEVELS :

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to cancel the Trainee’s or the Beneficiary’s participation in the Training if they have not achieved the required results in the examinations to progress to the next level. In such cases, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier undertakes to reimburse the Trainee or the Beneficiary on a pro rata basis for the training hours not delivered.

ARTICLE 16 – OBSERVANCE OF INSTRUCTIONS

The Trainee or the Beneficiary is required to comply, throughout the duration of the Training, with the instructions and guidelines provided by the staff of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

In the event of a dispute between the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and the Trainee or the Beneficiary due to non-compliance with these rules and serious misconduct (e.g., frequent lateness exceeding three instances per level and more than 15 minutes, repeated refusal or failure to follow the instructions of the Teaching Chef and/or administrative staff, etc.), and after two (2) written warnings following prior meetings, which may disrupt the proper conduct of the Training for the Teaching Chef and/or other trainees, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to suspend and/or terminate the Training. In such a case, as the fault lies with the Trainee or the Beneficiary, they are hereby informed that the Ecole Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to retain the deposits already paid for the Training, meaning that the current level will not be refunded.

ARTICLE 17 – VISA

Trainees or Beneficiaries who are not nationals of the European Union must inquire with the French Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence about the conditions for entry and stay in France for the entire duration of the Training, and this must be done prior to registering with the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

The Trainee or Beneficiary undertakes to be in possession of all necessary authorisations for the entire duration of the Training upon arrival in France.

In the event that a non-EU Trainee or Beneficiary is required to obtain a visa to participate in a Training, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier may issue an enrollment certificate , subject to the completion of the registration process and the payment of the first installment. to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

ARTICLE 18 – ACCOMODATION

Accommodation is not provided by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. However, the School provides the Trainee or the Beneficiary with a list of hotels, organizations, and websites to help them find accommodation in Paris. It is specified that the Ritz Paris School shall not be held responsible for any dispute, incident, unavailability, etc., related to the complimentary provision of this list.

For a stay at the Ritz Paris Hotel, the Trainee or the Beneficiary may contact the Guest Service Department, specifying their enrollment in a Training at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier: reservations@ritzparis.com.

ARTICLE 19 – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier holds all intellectual property rights and copyrights associated with the content of its Training programs, including all materials and documents provided to the Trainee or the Beneficiary during the Training.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier also holds all intellectual property rights and copyrights to its database, as well as to all materials and documents published online.

Any reproduction, modification, or disclosure by third parties of any part or all of the content of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s Training programs, including all materials and documents, in any form whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior written authorization of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

The Trainee or the Beneficiary is expressly prohibited from recording the Training sessions of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and/or from distributing any recordings, whether video or audio, made during a Training session without the prior written authorization of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

The Trainee or the Beneficiary acknowledges the following: RITZ ENTERPRISE SA, a Swiss public limited company with its registered office at Rue du Rhône 42, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland, registered with the Geneva Commercial Register under number CHE-100.374.228 (hereinafter referred to as “RESA”), is the exclusive owner of the trademarks “Ritz” and/or “Ritz Paris,” as well as “Ritz Escoffier,” whether word marks or semi-figurative marks, and of all other distinctive or graphic signs, whether registered or not, used by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

RESA has authorised the Ecole Ritz Escoffier to use the Trademarks in connection with the operation of the Ritz Paris Hotel and its Ecole Ritz Escoffier and to offer related services.

No use of the aforementioned trademarks or any similar sign is permitted without the prior written consent of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. Any communication (press release, interviews, social media comments, etc.) referring to the relationship between the Trainee or the Beneficiary and the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, or relating to elements covered by the Contract or the Training Agreement, must be submitted to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier for prior approval before any publication.

ARTICLE 20 – LIABILITY AND INSURANCE

Any enrollment in one or more Training sessions held on the premises of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier implies the Trainee’s or the Beneficiary’s acceptance of and compliance with the internal regulations of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, which are made available to them.

Compliance with hygiene rules is an essential condition for maintaining the contractual relationship and for the use of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s premises by the Trainee or the Beneficiary.

The Trainee or the Beneficiary agrees to use the workspace provided by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier reasonably and carefully, to take care of the equipment and utensils made available, to use them appropriately, and to return them in good condition at the end of each class.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier holds civil liability insurance. However, the Trainee or the Beneficiary is required to have their own personal and professional insurance in case of an accident and must provide a copy to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier upon registration.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall in no event be held liable for any bodily injury occurring during practical exercises carried out as part of the Training and suffered by a Trainee or Beneficiary.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not be held responsible for any damage to or loss of personal belongings brought by Trainees or Beneficiaries to the School.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall in no event be held liable for any damage resulting from the consumption of dishes prepared and/or taken away by the Trainee or the Beneficiary outside the School’s premises.

In the context of culinary preparations during practical work, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier declines all responsibility for the presence of allergens in foodstuffs due to cross-contamination.

ARTICLE 21 – CONFIDENTIALITY

Except for any information that has already been made publicly available, the Trainee or the Beneficiary agrees to keep confidential all information related to the activities of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier —regardless of its nature, whether economic, technical, or commercial—that they may have access to during the execution of the Training service or during exchanges that took place prior to the conclusion of the Contract or the Training Agreement.

ARTICLE 22 – PERSONAL DATA

As part of the Training programs, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier may collect personal data as defined in Article 4.1 of the European Regulation 2016/679 of April 27, 2016, provided by the Trainee or Beneficiary during registration and document submission, during occasional audiovisual recordings, or during photography sessions at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier (hereinafter referred to as the “Data”). The Ecole Ritz Escoffier undertakes to process this Data in accordance with the European Regulation 2016/679 of April 27, 2016, and French Law No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978, as amended, known as the “Data Protection Act” (hereinafter referred to as the “Applicable Provisions”).

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier commits to using the Data fairly and solely for the purposes of the training contract or agreement (registration, admission, organisation of the Training, issuance of certificates, etc.) and for the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s internal and external communication (social media, website, newsletter, etc.). The Candidate, Trainee, Beneficiary, or training organization (hereinafter referred to as the “Data Subjects”) guarantee the origin and compliance of the Data they may provide to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, particularly with respect to the purposes for which they were collected, and their duration and place of storage. As the data controller, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier also undertakes to:

• maintain records of Data processing;
• implement necessary measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of the Data;
• enable Data Subjects to exercise their rights regarding Data processing;
• use only secure channels for the provision of Data to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier;
• document its instructions in writing when providing Data to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

It is reminded that Data Subjects have the right to access, modify, rectify, delete, restrict, port, and object to the processing of their Data, and may revoke their consent at any time.

Data Subjects may exercise their rights directly with the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, which undertakes to comply within the regulatory timeframes, by writing to : Data Protection Officer (DPO), Ecole Ritz Escoffier, 15 place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France, or by email at dpo@ritzparis.com

The Data is retained for the time strictly necessary to fulfill the purposes, and in particular for five (5) years, to comply with legal obligations, resolve potential disputes, and enforce contractual commitments.

As part of the delivery of its Training programs, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier may collect personal data

ARTICLE 23 – GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

These Terms and all relations between the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and the Trainee or Beneficiary are governed by French law.

Any dispute relating to the interpretation or application of the Terms and/or the Contract or Training Agreement that is not resolved amicably shall be submitted to the competent French court.

ARTICLE 24 – GOVERNING LANGUAGE

This Contract or Agreement is drafted in French, which shall be the sole language of

interpretation. Any translation (including into English) is provided for informational purposes only and shall have no legal effect.

Training organisation registered under the activity declaration number 11755566775 and holder of the AFNOR " Qualiopi ". This registration does not imply government approval.

ARTICLE 1 – SCOPE

These general terms and conditions of sale (the “Terms”) apply to all clients (whether individuals or legal entities acting professionally) wishing to organize a course or workshop (the “Course/Workshop”), in a group and within the scope and for the needs of their profession, (the “Client”) provided by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s team, and carried out at the premises of

The Ritz Hotel, Limited, a company governed by laws of England & Wales, registered under number 00048125, with its registered office located at Third Floor, 20 Old Bailey, EC4M 7AN London (United Kingdom), and its principal establishment (the “Ritz Paris Hotel”) located at 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris (France), registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 572 219 913 (the “Ecole Ritz Escoffier”), and in particular at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier premises or at external sites (individually a “Party” or collectively the “Parties”).  

These Terms, the signed and the invoice constitute the contract (the “Contract”) between the Client and the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. Any document other than these Terms, including but not limited to catalogs, brochures, advertisements, and information leaflets, is for informational purposes only and is non-contractual.

In the event of a conflict between the signed quotation and these Terms, the signed quotation shall prevail. Furthermore, the fact that the Ecole Ritz Escoffier does not invoke any of these Terms at a given time shall not be interpreted as a waiver of its right to invoke any of the conditions mentioned, later.

ARTICLE 2 – ENFORCEMENT

Any registration for one or more Course/Workshop implies the Client’s full and unreserved acceptance of these Terms. The applicable version of the Terms is the one in effect on the date the quotation is signed. The Ecole Ritz Escoffier may modify the Terms from time to time by providing written notice to the Client. No conflicting, additional, or modified clause may be invoked or enforced against the Ecole ritz Escoffier unless expressly accepted in writing by the latter.

ARTICLE 3 – VALIDITY OF OFFER

The validity period of the Course/Workshop offers is thirty (30) days from the date the quotation is sent, unless otherwise stated on the website : (the “Website”), or in the current brochure and/or quotation at the time of the offer.

ARTICLE 4 – BOOKING PROCEDURE

The Client may book a Course/Workshop via the Website, by email, phone or post.

To confirm the booking, the quotation and the Terms must be signed with the mention “signed and agreed” and sent to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier either by email to : ecole@ritzparis.com or by post for the attention of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier (Ritz Paris), 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, along with the corresponding deposits.

The Client acknowledges that the booking for the Course/Workshop is only considered final upon:

• written confirmation by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier Management;
• receipt of the corresponding deposits, as specified in the quotation or, if not specified, in the Terms.

No booking request can be finalized without proof of bank transfer, the details of which are provided in the quotation, unless specific terms have been expressly accepted by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

If the Client uses a digital invoicing platform or wishes to include an internal reference on the invoice, he/she must inform the Ecole Ritz Escoffier at the time of booking the Course/Workshop. The provisions of Article 26 of French Law n° 2022-1157 of August 16, 2022, on the Amending Finance Act for 2022 shall apply.

ARTICLE 5 – RATES

The applicable rates are those listed in the quotation and/or in the Ecole Ritz Escoffier brochure and/or on its Website at the time of the Client’s booking.

ARTICLE 6 – PAYMENT

All payments shall be made by bank transfer, or with a secure payment link, in Euros and are subject to VAT. In the event that payment is made in another currency, the applicable exchange rate shall be the one applicable to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier on the date of payment.

All bank charges shall be borne exclusively by the Client.           

The Client shall make the payments of the following deposits in strict compliance with the following schedule:

• Eighty percent (80 %) of the total amount upon booking and, in particular, upon signing the Contract ;
• Remaining twenty percent (20 %) fifteen (15) days before the Course/Workshop start date.

If the Contract is signed less than fifteen (15) days before the Course/Workshop, a deposit of one hundred percent (100 %) of the total amount shall be paid by the Client.

Likewise, for any service amounting to less than three thousand (3 000) euros including VAT, a deposit of one hundred percent (100 %) of the total amount shall be paid by the Client upon signing the Contract.

Non-compliance with the above schedule, shall entitle The Ecole Ritz Escoffier to cancel the Client’s booking and to keep the deposits already paid.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier may, at its discretion, grant special terms of payment to the Client.

In case of additional invoicing following the Course/Workshop, the remaining balance shall be settled upon invoice receipt.

In compliance with the NRE Law and article 441-10 of the French code of commerce, late payment penalties shall be applicable to the Client – if a legal entity - as soon as the payment deadline is exceeded, without the Ecole Ritz Escoffier having to send any reminder.

Late payment penalties shall be applicable from the thirty-first (31st) day following the Course/Workshop start date.

A penalty rate equal to three (3) times the legal interest rate on the total invoice amount including VAT shall be shall be applied for each month of delay.

In addition to the late payment penalties, the Client shall also be liable for a fixed recovery fee forty (40) euros (Decree n° 2012-1115 of October 2, 2012).

ARTICLE 7 – INVOICING

Client committed by signing the contract of a minimum attending participant number on the day of the event. The Client shall confirm by writing to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier Management:

• At least eight (8) working days before the event, the selected menu and;
• Four (4) working days before the event, the final number of participants, along with the dietary preferences, including allergens and food intolerances.

After these deadlines, the Client is informed and accepts that the menu will be selected by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, and that no adjustments will be possible on the day of the event.

The invoice amount from the Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not, under any circumstances, be less than the amount corresponding to the guaranteed minimum number of participants committed to by the Client upon signing the Contract, in accordance with the cancellation terms set out in Article 10 of these Terms – “Early Termination of the Contract.”

If the actual number of participants exceeds the guaranteed minimum, the invoice will be increased proportionally to the excess number of participants.

The Client (acting for professional purposes) agrees to receive the invoice for the Course/Workshop by email after the Course/Workshop. If the Client wishes to receive the invoice by post, a written request must be submitted to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

The Client (acting for personal purposes) who wishes to receive the invoice corresponding to their Course/Workshop, whether by email or by post, must submit an express written request to the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. For Courses/Workshops sold remotely, a receipt is automatically issued and sent electronically to the Client (acting for personal purposes).

ARTICLE 8 – COURSES/WORKSHOPS

The Courses/Workshops are provided by highly qualified Chefs selected by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and its experts. The Chefs may be assisted by culinary assistants when deemed necessary by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier. Whether practical or theoretical, all Courses/Workshops are provided in French and/or English, depending on the language spoken by the participants. All participants must be fluent in one of these two languages to ensure proper understanding of the Course/Workshop.

The recipes are made available to the Client in digital format, in both French and English, and can be downloaded via a QR code provided at the end of the Course/Workshop.

The content, form, price, and schedule of the Course/Workshop are detailed in the quotation and the descriptive offer of the said Course/Workshop.

ARTICLE 9 – PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier has two (2) kitchens and one (1) pastry lab on its premises for the Courses/Workshops. Professional utensils and equipment necessary for the execution of the Courses/Workshops are available for the Client during the Course/Workshop.

ARTICLE 10 – EARLY TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT

10.1. Rescheduling or cancellation by the Client:

If, for any reason (excluding force majeure), the client cancels their booking, they must notify the Ecole Ritz Escoffier by email or by post (postmark serving as proof) as soon as possible:

-        If the cancellation occurs thirty (30) days or more before the Course/Workshop, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier will retain fifty percent (50 %) of the total amount of the cancelled service;

-        If the cancellation occurs between the twenty-ninth (29th) and the tenth (10th) day before the start date of the Course/Workshop, eighty percent (80 %) of the total price will be retained;

-        If the cancellation occurs between the ninth (9th) day and the start date of the Course/Workshop, the full amount will be retained by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

10.2. Rescheduling or cancellation – Force majeure event:

Force majeure refers to any event beyond the control of the affected Party that prevents the proper execution of the Contract, due to unforeseeable, irresistible, and external circumstances as defined by French law (Article 1218 of the Civil Code) and French case law. This includes, but is not limited to, strikes, natural disasters, riots, wars, epidemics or other damages, acts or actions of government authorities, fires, and any other circumstance with a similar effect.

In the event of force majeure :

a) The Party invoking force majeure must inform the other Party as soon as possible by email with delivery notice and acknowledgment of receipt ;

b) If such circumstances occur, the execution of the Contract shall be suspended for the period of said circumstances and their consequences.

The Parties shall then meet to discuss the consequences of such a situation and seek mutually acceptable solutions to either continue or terminate the Contract.

If no agreement is reached within two (2) months from the date of the force majeure event, and if the event persists, either Party may terminate the Contract by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, with immediate effect, without judicial intervention and without any compensation being due.

If one of the Parties is prevented from fulfilling any of its obligations under the Contract due to a force majeure event, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall refund all deposits paid by the Client.

However, if the force majeure event occurs less than nine (9) days before the event date and cancellation is notified by either Party, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier will retain thirty percent (30%) of the deposits paid by the Client and refund the remaining amounts.

For the avoidance of doubt, no compensation may be claimed by either Party.

It is specified that in the event of cancellation due to force majeure, the Client remains obligated to pay the deposits due, in accordance with the provisions of the Contract.

ARTICLE 11 – OBSERVANCE OF INSTRUCTIONS

The Client is required to comply with all instructions and guidelines provided by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier staff throughout the duration of the Course/Workshop.

In the event of a dispute between the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and the Client due to non-compliance with these instructions, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier reserves the right to suspend the Course/Workshop and/or partially or fully exclude the Client from the Class/Workshop and/or retain all amounts paid by the Client for the Course/Workshop.

ARTICLE 12 – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

RITZ ENTERPRISE SA, a public limited company governed by law of Switzerland, with its registered office at Rue du Rhône 42, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland, registered with the Geneva Commercial Register under number CHE-100.374.228 (“RESA”), is the exclusive owner of the trademarks “Ritz” and/or “Ritz Paris,” as well as “Ritz Escoffier,” whether word marks or semi-figurative marks, and all other distinctive or graphic signs, registered or unregistered, used by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier (the “Trademarks”).

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier holds all intellectual property rights and copyrights related to the content of its Courses/Workshops, including all materials and documents provided to Clients during the Courses/Workshops.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier also holds all intellectual property rights and copyrights to its database, as well as to all materials and documents published online.

Any reproduction, modification, or disclosure by third parties of part or all of the content of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s Courses/Workshops, including all materials and documents, in any form whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior written authorization of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

 The Client is expressly prohibited from recording all or a substantial part of the Courses/Workshops at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and/or distributing these recordings, whether video or audio, made during a Course/Workshop without the prior written authorization of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

However, occasional social media posts (such as stories, photos, or short videos), made with respect for the image of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and its participants, are accepted unless otherwise instructed by the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

The Client acknowledges that the Trademarks, including “Ritz Paris” and “Ritz Escoffier,” are registered trademarks owned by RESA and protected worldwide. No use of the Trademarks or any similar sign is permitted except to inform third parties that the Client has attended a Course/Workshop at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, subject to the conditions below.

The Client is generally prohibited from reproducing, directly or indirectly, modifying, translating, representing, marketing, or distributing the name “Ecole Ritz Escoffier” without the prior, express, and written authorization of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier.

In all cases, any communication by either Party regarding the Course/Workshop that includes the names and/or logos of the other Party must be subject to the prior written approval of the other Party.

ARTICLE 13 – LIABILITY AND INSURANCE

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier holds civil liability insurance. However, the Client is required to have their own insurance in case of an accident.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not be held liable for any physical injury resulting from negligence or willful misconduct by the Client or from improper application of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s instructions during practical exercises conducted as part of the Courses/Workshops.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not be liable for any damage or loss of personal belongings brought by the Client’s participants. Each participant is responsible for safeguarding their personal items.

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from the consumption of dishes prepared during the Courses/Workshops if such consumption does not comply with the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s instructions and/or if the dishes are taken away by Clients outside the Ecole Ritz Escoffier’s premises.

ARTICLE 14 – CONFIDENTIALITY

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall keep strictly private and confidential all information and documents disclosed by the Client that relate to the Client’s trade secrets and/or business operations, including but not limited to the terms of the Contract, any information regarding the Client’s activities or operating methods (“Confidential Information”).

The Ecole Ritz Escoffier shall not use, copy, or disclose such Confidential Information on behalf of or to any third party. This does not prevent disclosure required by law and does not apply to information and documents that are or become publicly available without breach of confidentiality.

Throughout the duration of the Contract and for a period of ten (10) years following its termination or expiration, regardless of the reason, the Parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of all information, of any nature, obtained during or in connection with the negotiation, preparation, and/or execution of the Contract, which was not or is not publicly accessible. This includes, but is not limited to, any document containing or reflecting information related to the Contract, as well as the existence and signing of the Contract.

Each Party undertakes to ensure that its agents, employees, and contractors comply with the confidentiality obligations set out in this Article 14. In particular, each Party shall be liable for any breach of this obligation by its agents, employees, affiliates, partners, or subcontractors.

ARTICLE 15 – PERSONAL DATA

For the purposes of this article, “Personal Data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, i.e., one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier, including but not limited to a name, identification number, location data, online identifier, or one or more elements specific to their identity.

In the context of this Contract, personal data relating to participants may be collected, processed, stored, and used by the Parties, including identification data, personal contact details, and information regarding food allergies, under the conditions set out in the Ritz Paris Hotel Privacy Policy. This data collection is necessary for managing the contractual relationship and ensuring the proper execution of the Contract. The data collected will be retained in the active database only for the period of the contractual relationship.

In accordance with applicable data protection laws, the Client may at any time request access to, rectification, erasure, or portability of their personal data, or request restriction of processing or object to it. A summary of these rights is outlined in the Ritz Paris Hotel Privacy Policy.

Each Party (as a legal entity) is solely responsible for its own processing of Personal Data, which it undertakes to collect, process, and use in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory provisions, particularly Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of April 27, 2016 (the “General Data Protection Regulation” or “GDPR”) and French Law n° 78-17 of January 6, 1978 as amended (the “Loi Informatique et Libertés”), and to guarantee the rights of data subjects, particularly regarding information, access, security, and the exercise of their rights.

Each Party (as a legal entity) undertakes to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, damage, alteration, or disclosure.

ARTICLE 16 – GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

These Terms are governed by French law.

In the event of a dispute between the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and the Client – if the Client is a natural person – both parties shall endeavor to reach an amicable resolution.

If no amicable agreement is reached, the Client may refer the matter free of charge to the consumer mediator to which the professional belongs, namely the Association des Médiateurs Européens (AME CONSO), within one (1) year from the date of the written complaint submitted to the professional.

The referral to the consumer mediator may be made:

• by completing the form available on the AME CONSO website : www.mediationconso-ame.com ;
• or by mail addressed to AME CONSO, 197 Boulevard Saint Germain – 75007 PARIS.

Additionally, at the European level, the European Commission provides an online dispute resolution platform accessible at the following link :

https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/main/index.cfm?event=main.home2.show&lng=FiciR.

Any difficulty or dispute concerning the Courses/Workshops and/or these Terms that is not resolved through mediation shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the French courts, either those territorially competent under the French Code of Civil Procedure, or the court of the Client’s place of residence at the time of registration for the Course/Workshop, or the court where the harmful event occurred.

Any dispute between the Ecole Ritz Escoffier and the Client – if the Client is a legal entity – relating to the interpretation or application of these Terms shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Paris.

ARTICLE 17 – GOVERNING LANGUAGE

The Terms are drafted in French, which shall be the sole language of interpretation. Any translation (including into English) is provided for informational purposes only and shall have no legal effect.

The present general terms and conditions of use (the “GTCU”) govern the rights and obligations of the user of the Ritz Paris gift card(s) (the “Gift Card(s)”).

Each Gift Card has a card number and a PIN code. It is non-personalized, and its use is the responsibility of the user.

1.     Purchase

The Gift Card can be purchased under the conditions set forth in the General Terms and Conditions of Sale (https://www.ritzparis.com/legal/terms-conditions):

• online, via the website accessible at https://www.ritzparis.com/e-boutique  (the “E-Boutique”), and/or
• at the Ritz Paris Hotel, at one of its physical points of sale located at 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France.

The Gift Card can be reloaded with an amount ranging from one hundred euros (€100) to ten thousand euros (€10,000). It is possible to choose one of the suggested amounts or to customize the credited amount within the limits stated above.

Any commercialization of the Gift Cards, outside the scope defined herein, is strictly prohibited. The Gift Card may not, under any circumstances, be resold.

2.     Validity

a)     Supported Points of Sale for the Use of the Gift Card

The Gift Card can be used at various points of sale within the Ritz Paris Hotel, namely the Reception (for room reservations), Bar Vendôme, Espadon Restaurant, Salon Proust, Ritz Bar, Bar Hemingway, Brunch, Ritz Club & Spa, the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, and the Concept Store, as well as for online purchases on the Ritz Paris Hotel website (https://www.ritzparis.com), including but not limited to the E-Boutique. This list may be subject to permanent or temporary changes. 

The Gift Card is not valid in partner boutiques (such as Tasaki, TWG, Bacha Coffee, Dolce&Gabbana, Graff). Additionally, the Gift Card cannot be used at Ritz Paris Le Comptoir boutiques. 

b)     Duration

The Gift Card is activated as of its purchase date and is valid for a period of two (2) years from that date.

If the amount on the Gift Card is not fully or partially used within the validity period, the Gift Card will no longer be usable, and any unspent amount will be forfeited.

No refund, use after the validity period, or exchange can be negotiated.

3.     Use

The Gift Card may be used in one or multiple transactions. The balance of the Gift Card and its expiration date can be checked at the following address: https://www.ritzparis.com/e-boutique/gift-card.

All online purchases require the use of the Gift Card PIN. 

To make a purchase greater than the amount of the Gift Card, it is possible to complete the payment for the purchase with another accepted payment method or another Gift Card. 

The Gift Card is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash or any monetary compensation, including change. 

The Gift Card cannot be used to purchase one or more Gift Card(s). 

4.     Refund or Exchange

Refunds or exchanges of products and/or services purchased at the Ritz Paris Hotel using the Gift Card and subject to return will be made by crediting the price of the service and/or product returned or exchanged to the available balance of the Gift Card.

5.     Loss or Theft of the Gift Card

In the event of theft or loss of the Gift Card, the user must contact customer service at the following number: +33(0)1.43.16.32.22 or via email (contact@eboutique.ritzparis.com) so that the Gift Card can be blocked as soon as possible.

Subsequently, the seller will issue a new card with the remaining amount on it. The issued Gift Card will be subject to the same expiration date as the lost or stolen Gift Card.

6.     General Terms and Conditions of Sale of the Ritz Paris Hotel

The user is informed that the General Terms and Conditions of Sale of the Ritz Paris Hotel (https://www.ritzparis.com/legal/terms-conditions) apply to any use of the Gift Card within the Ritz Paris Hotel.

7.     Personal Data Protection

The user is invited to consult the Ritz Paris Hotel’s and/or E-Boutique Personal Data Protection Policy (https://www.ritzparis.com/legal/privacy-policy).

8.     Governing Law

These GTCU are governed by French law, subject to the mandatory rules of the user’s country of residence.

Any difficulty or dispute concerning the GTCU shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the French courts, territorially competent under the French Code of Civil Procedure.

9.     Mediation

In accordance with Articles L611 to L616 and R612 to R616 of the French Consumer Code, the user may use the free mediation services below for any claims related to the use of a Gift Card purchased purchased during the twelve (12) last months.

The referral to the consumer mediator must be made, by specifying the seller concerned (Ritz Enterprise SA, for purchases made on the E-Boutique, or The Ritz Hotel, Limited for purchases at the Ritz Paris Hotel):

• either by completing the form provided for this purpose on the AME CONSO website (www.mediationconso-ame.com);
• either by postal mail addressed to AME CONSO, 197 Boulevard Saint Germain, 75007 Paris, France.

Moreover, at the European level, the European Commission provides the user with an online dispute resolution (ODR) platform accessible at the following address: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/odr/.

10.  Language

For your convenience, the GTCU are drawn up in the French language and may be translated into one or more foreign languages. However, in case of any inconsistencies with the translated versions, if any, and in the event of a dispute, the French language version of these GTCUs shall prevail.

11.  Changes to the Terms and Conditions of Use

The GTCU may be amended and/or supplemented at any time. In this case, the new version of the GTCU will be published online on the Ritz Paris website in a readable and accessible format to allow the user to access and review them easily.

The amended and/or supplemented GTCU will take effect as from the date of their publication on the said site (the “Date of Update”) and will automatically apply to purchases made after the aforementioned date. Purchases of Gift Cards made prior to the Update Date will be governed by the previous version of the GTCU.

Date of Update: 24th February 2025