Article 706-146 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure
If it is not necessary to maintain the seizure of the property in due form, a creditor with an enforceable title establishing a liquid and payable claim may be authorised, under the conditions provided for in Article 706-144, to initiate or resume civil enforcement proceedings against the property, in accordance with the rules applicable to such proceedings. However, the property may not then be sold out of court and the…