Currency of France

The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states, including France. The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; however the French Franc remained in circulation until 17 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro.

1 Euro = 100 cents and notes are in denominations of euro500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5; Coins in denominations of euro2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Some first-class hotels are authorised to exchange foreign currency, however on the whole shops and hotels are prohibited from accepting foreign currency by law. Alternatively most major credit cards are widely accepted, along with Travellers cheques.

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Banks are generally open Mon-Fri 0900-1200 and 1400-1600. Some banks close Monday and some are open Saturday. Banks close early (1200) on the day before a bank holiday; in rare cases, they may also close for all or part of the day after.

Look out for the ‘Credit Mutuel’ or ‘Credit Agricole’, which have longer opening hours.