@Mike-And-Jane0
I guess @Hélène-Et-David0 booked in France.
If she booked in England, it may be different.
Obviously, Airbnb and hosts have to comply with local laws.
To be specific, if you book in France a professional rental (hotel), commercial law is applied.
If you book someone's house (wich is the case of the majority Airbnb's hosts), civil law is applied.
@Mary996
There is a legal difference beetween acompte et arrhes (Advance payment and deposit ).
Unless specified a flexible cancellation policy, if there is cancellation Advance payment and deposit are due.
If nothing is written in the contract (which is impossible on Airbnb as a cancellation policy must be chosen), the common law declares that it is a deposit.
@Hélène-Et-David0
Before asking to Airbnb to do illegal things, please take note of the French law :
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2045