What the Crédit Municipal institutions take as pledges, and what they refuse

The common rule: a tangible item of significant value

Article D514-1 of the Code monétaire et financier covers tangible movable goods of significant value in good condition. Each institution then draws up its own list; the Crédit Municipal de Paris list, the most detailed, serves as the reference throughout what follows.

Precious metals and jewellery

Paris accepts gold in all its forms, jewellery in gold, platinum or signed silver, and designer jewellery. On these metals, the loan can reach four fifths of the valuation, as explained in the page on pawning gold.

Watches, pens and branded lighters

Signed watches, pens and lighters appear on the Paris list, as does horology in the broad sense. In Strasbourg, watches are received without an appointment, provided the depositor shows an invoice in their own name together with a certificate.

Silverware: at least six pieces of each item

Cutlery sets are only taken by the Crédit Municipal de Paris with at least six pieces of each type of utensil. Bordeaux restricts silver plate to complete services from brands such as Christofle or Ercuis and rejects any odd or worn piece.

Paintings, sculptures, bronzes and photographs

Works of art play a large part: paintings, photographs, sculptures, bronzes and objets d'art in Paris; drawings, prints and art photographs in Strasbourg, only by appointment with the auctioneer. Bordeaux, on the other hand, refuses engravings and reproductions.

Fine wines, instruments and rare books

Grand cru wines, musical instruments and collectors' books are accepted in Paris. Strasbourg also takes wines, instruments and rare books, but requires an appointment in advance for these categories, which call for specialist appraisal.

Handbags, vintage clothing and signed accessories

Luxury leather goods, vintage clothing and signed fashion accessories are accepted at the Crédit Municipal de Paris if they are unstained and little worn, with an invoice in the pledger's name. See also pawning a luxury handbag.

Furniture, rugs and lighting

Period or designer furniture, lighting, signed glassware and ceramics are listed in Paris. Rugs and tapestries are only accepted there for a loan above 4,000 euros, after quarantine and disinfection, whereas Bordeaux refuses all rugs outright.

Pokémon cards, figurines and retro gaming

Paris has added new categories: Magic and Pokémon cards graded 9, 9.5 or 10 in a sealed case, figurines from 1970 to 2005 in their original box, original comic book artwork, and Nintendo, Sega or Sony consoles and games released up to 2000.

Furs, ivory, coral: the explicit refusals

The Crédit Municipal de Paris states that it takes neither furs nor objects containing ivory or elephant hair. Bordeaux adds coral, rugs, engravings and reproductions, which shows that exclusions differ from one institution to another.

Cars, phones and recent computers

Electronics depend on the institution: Toulouse mentions connected devices, while Nantes accepted recent computers in 2016. Vehicles are an exclusive offer presented by Nantes and Dijon; Belgium follows other rules, described in items accepted in Belgium.

Bicycles, the exception among means of transport

Bicycles are among the categories accepted by the Crédit Municipal de Paris, unlike motor vehicles. To find out whether a specific model will be taken, the process is described on the page checking that an item is accepted.

Institutions whose lists are cited

• Crédit Municipal de Paris: Publishes the most complete list, with new collectible categories and refusals of furs and ivory.
• Crédit Municipal de Strasbourg: Distinguishes items received without an appointment, such as jewellery and watches, from those requiring an appraisal appointment.
• Crédit Municipal de Bordeaux: Sets out its criteria for silverware, diamonds and leather goods, and its refusal of rugs and coral.

Before you set off with your item

1. Find your item's category on the list published by the institution nearest to your home.
2. Check whether that category can be dropped off freely or only by appointment with an auctioneer.
3. Gather the invoice, certificate or warranty card required for watches and luxury leather goods.
4. Clean the item and collect all its parts, box, dust bag or the pieces of a complete service.
5. Present the item for appraisal and accept or decline the amount offered, with no prior commitment.

Specific conditions by category

Supporting documents for the item

• Invoice in your name for leather goods and fashion
• Certificate and invoice for branded watches
• Laboratory certificate for a diamond in Bordeaux
• Original box and papers for collectibles
• Identity document and proof of address

Unpleasant surprises at the counter

• Bringing an incomplete cutlery set to Paris, when six pieces of each utensil are required for a set to be accepted.
• Presenting a designer handbag without its invoice: Paris, Bordeaux and Toulouse all require one before accepting leather goods.
• Arriving without an appointment with a painting or bottles in Strasbourg, where such items go before the auctioneer by appointment only.
• Assuming one institution accepts what another does: Paris takes rugs for loans above 4,000 euros, Bordeaux refuses them.
• Offering an antique piece of jewellery containing ivory or coral, which is refused in Paris or Bordeaux whatever its value.

General information, up to date as of October 2026 and non-contractual: always check the terms with the Crédit Municipal or the institution concerned.