French Civil Code

A consumer loan is a contract by which one of the parties delivers to the other a certain quantity of things that are consumed by use, on the obligation of the latter to return as many of the same kind and quality.

By the effect of this loan, the borrower becomes the owner of the thing lent; and it is for him that it perishes, in whatever way this loss occurs.

Things which, although of the same species, are different, such as animals, cannot be given as a loan for consumption: then it is a loan for use.

The obligation resulting from a loan of money is always only for the sum stated in the contract. If there has been an increase or decrease in cash before the time of payment, the debtor must return the sum lent, and must only return that sum in the cash current at the time of payment.

The rule set out in the previous article does not apply if the loan was made in ingots.

If it is ingots or commodities that have been lent, whatever the increase or decrease in their price, the debtor must always return the same quantity and quality, and must return only that.