What are the rules for correct French email etiquette?

Reader Question: What is the correct way to begin or end an email to an unnamed mairie official? Have the rules changed since the era when everything was done by post? 

Traditionally, letters to a person you do not know start with Madame, Monsieur. 

You have likely seen this in one sent to you, usually in official communications from authorities such as tax officials.

If writing to a person and you know their gender, you could write Cher Monsieur or Chère Madame (capital M each time). You could use this if writing to your banking advisor for instance.

If writing to the mayor, you can begin a message with: Monsieur Le Maire or Madame La Maire. There is some debate surrounding whether female mayors should be referred to as le or la maire, however adopting the female la is becoming the more widely-accepted option as the French language evolves. Alternatively you could also use Chèr(e)Madame/Monsieur.

If writing to someone that you know, you can also use the classic Bonjour M/Mme [insert last name], or if you know them very well you can just use their first name. 

Signing off

In terms of how the letter should end, the very formal way is: Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées (however of this there are several variants).

These may sound overly formal – and some may say old-fashioned – but it is a safe option with people you do not know. 

Once the connection has been established, you can use shorter formulas. 

If you are hoping the person will respond to your letter with their own, you can add Dans l'attente de vous lire to indicate or point towards this.

For an email, the same start is usually best, but it is now accepted to use a shortened ending. 

This is usually Bien cordialement or Bien à vous. 

Cordialement on its own can sometimes come across as being a bit rude but it can be used in emails to an administrative authority. 

Adding bien makes these still formal but not overly so, and helps declutter the communication. 

Note that when writing letters such expressions are common, once you know the person. 

For example, when sending a letter to your bank you may use Je vous prie d'agréer… but to your personal advisor use Bien cordialement. 

Amicalement usually means you know the person well; the word derives from ami (friend). You should not use this if writing an official letter or email.