Postal vocabulary
Glossary
Every term used in MaisonMail explained in plain language.
A
AR (Acknowledgement of receipt)
A document signed by the recipient confirming receipt of your mail. Returned to the sender as legal proof.
E
Ecopli
A former La Poste economy service, also known as the grey stamp, which has not been sold since January 1, 2023.
Envelope (pli)
Postal term for a document placed in an envelope. MaisonMail handles the folding and stuffing of your document.
F
Formal notice (Mise en demeure)
A formal demand to fulfil an obligation within a set deadline. LRAR is often used to establish the date and receipt, but the required form depends on the legal context.
L
LRAR (Registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt)
A registered letter with the acknowledgement-of-receipt option. It provides additional evidence of the delivery date and may be required for certain procedures.
N
Notice period (Préavis)
The legal or contractual period between notification and the effective end of a contract. Its start date depends on the contract, applicable law and notification method.
P
Postal tracking
A service that lets you locate a letter in transit using a unique tracking number provided by La Poste.
R
Registered letter
Mail delivered against signature, with proof of posting and delivery. Acknowledgement of receipt is a separate option. Registered mail is required for some procedures and recommended for others.
S
Security deposit (Dépôt de garantie)
A sum paid by a tenant to a landlord when moving in and refundable under certain conditions. It is distinct from a guarantor, called a caution in French.
T
Termination (Résiliation)
The early or scheduled end of a contract. Requirements vary by contract and law: registered mail may be mandatory, recommended or replaced by an online procedure.
General information about postal services and common practices in France. Check the rules that apply to your specific procedure.