French legislation offers many tools to a debtor facing difficulties. Describing the French insolvency law is, as a consequence, quite a challenge.The variety of available tools is a way to address different situations and to be used as leverage in negotiations if needed. This is also a way to adapt a solution when required by the evolution of the economy.For a long time there has been a clear distinction between pre-insolvency proceedings and insolvency proceedings. Because of the efficiency of pre-insolvency proceedings in France, French law has inspired the European directive in this area.