Currency

The national currency in France (and in the European Union ) is the Euro. Euro notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. One Euro is divided into 100 cents or centimes.

To purchase your Euros online at a great rate and 0% commission click here.

Credit and debit cards are convenient and relatively secure. Visa and MasterCard (Access or Eurocard) are widely accepted; AmEx cards are useful at more upmarket establishments. In general, all three cards can be used in shops, supermarkets, for train travel, car rentals, autoroute tolls and cash advances. Remember you'll need to know your PIN number ( le code ) to use a credit card in many hotels, shops and restaurants.

Changing Your Money

Currency exchange can be carried out at all bank branches and Post Offices. Bureaux de change services (currency exchange office) can be found in large department stores, railway stations, airports and near tourist sites.

litre of petrol € 1.30

small bottle of water € 0.50

petit café/café au lait € 0.90/2.50

filled baguette € 4.50

ten-minute taxi ride € 10.00

bottle of cheap wine € 4.00

hostel bed in Paris with breakfast € 18.00

Tipping

Leaving a pourboire (tip) is done at your discretion - restaurants and accommodations add a 10-15% service charge to every bill, making a tip unneccesary, but most people leave a few coins if the service is satisfactory.