Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The currency is the euro (EUR, symbol €), divided into 100 cents. Cards work almost everywhere, so you only need a little cash.
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €)
- Subunit
- 100 cents = €1
- Cash
- Useful for small/rural spots
- The same euro notes and coins are used across the eurozone
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
If you are already in the eurozone you need no exchange. From outside, withdrawing euros from an ATM usually beats airport bureaux de change. Compare fees before changing large sums.
- Best value
- ATM withdrawal in euros
- Airport
- Bureaux de change are pricier
- Tip
- Little cash needed thanks to cards
- Avoid dynamic currency conversion; always choose euros
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops and bakeries; contactless is standard. Visa and Mastercard work fine; Amex is less widely accepted.
- Acceptance
- Very widely accepted
- Networks
- Visa/Mastercard (Amex less so)
- Contactless
- Tap-to-pay standard
- Some small vendors set a minimum for card payments
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs (DAB/GAB) are everywhere and accept foreign Visa/Mastercard/Cirrus/PLUS cards. Prefer bank ATMs, and always decline currency conversion to be charged in euros.
- Availability
- Plentiful; bank ATMs best
- Networks
- Visa/Mastercard/Cirrus/PLUS
- DCC
- Decline; withdraw in euros
- Check your home bank's foreign withdrawal fees
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever contactless is accepted, which is almost everywhere. Just add your card to your phone before you travel; no local app is needed.
- Wallets
- Apple Pay / Google Pay
- Coverage
- Anywhere contactless is taken
- Setup
- Add card before travel
- The local card network is "CB" (Carte Bancaire); your card still works
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Service is legally included in French bills ("service compris"), so tipping is optional. If you enjoyed the service, rounding up or leaving a few euros is a nice gesture.
- Service
- Included by law (service compris)
- Restaurants
- Round up or a few € if pleased
- Cafes/taxis
- Small rounding is enough
- Tipping is never obligatory in France
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
Paris and the Riviera are expensive; smaller towns are more affordable. A cafe coffee is a few euros; a set lunch (menu/formule) is good value versus dinner à la carte.
- Coffee
- A few euros (cheaper at the bar)
- Lunch deal
- Menu/formule saves money
- Regions
- Paris/Riviera pricier
- Tap water ("une carafe d'eau") is free in restaurants
Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund (détaxe) on eligible purchases. Ask the shop for a détaxe slip (minimum around €100.01 in one store), then validate it at a PABLO kiosk when leaving the EU.
- Who
- Non-EU residents
- Minimum
- ~€100.01 per store
- Validate
- PABLO kiosk on departure
- The refund is paid by the retailer/operator, not customs