France was one of the first countries to merge into the Eurozone, and the euro has been the national currency of France since 1999. Whether you’re planning to sunbathe on the French Riviera beach or visit the bustling center of Paris to sight the Eiffel Tower, you can use Mastercard and Visa cards to spend in more places than not. Pack along a travel credit card to avoid foreign transaction fees and earn flat 2x miles on all your purchases.
However, it’s a good idea to keep euro on hand since some merchants won’t accept card payments for small amounts. You won’t have a problem finding ATMs in major cities and towns, though you’ll want to be prepared if you’re traversing the French countryside.
20,000 miles (equal to $200 in travel) after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Earn unlimited 1.25x miles on all purchases
Low intro rates on purchases and balance transfers
Travel card, debit card or credit card?
Most retailers and merchants are credit card and debit card friendly. Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere, but American Express and Diners Club cards can be used in fewer places.
When making payments, some merchants may have a spending minimum — 10 euros, for example. However, if you’re making a contactless payment, you can get away with purchases of just a couple of euros using your card.
Take a combination of travel money products to get the most from your travel budget. A credit card is a great way to make large purchases while using a travel card or a debit card is better for smaller everyday expenses and cash withdrawals.
Give yourself a couple of different ways to access your travel budget in case something happens to one of your cards, as it can take you a couple of days to receive an emergency replacement card from your bank or lender.
These are your options for spending money in France
Pick a travel-friendly credit card if you’re looking to apply for an additional line of credit for your trip to France. Look for a card that waives foreign transaction fees and offers travel features like complimentary international travel insurance and complimentary purchase protection insurance. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers just that — no foreign transaction fees and rewards on your purchases (Terms apply, see rates & fees).
You’ll find Visa and Mastercard to be widely accepted in France. American Express cardholders may also find higher acceptance than Discover cardholders, who will likely struggle to find merchants that accept their card.
Merchant acceptance
ATM acceptance
Visa
High
High
Mastercard
High
High
American Express
Medium
High
Discover
Low
Medium
A few credit card fees to avoid
International travelers often uncover a nasty surprise: Using a card overseas can be expensive. The main culprits are foreign transaction fees and currency conversion fees.
Compare travel credit cards
Explore top debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel credit cards by using the tabs to narrow down your options. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.
Equipped with a chip, secured with a PIN, and providing direct access to your own money, debit cards get the gold for convenience when it comes to travel money in France. Look for a checking account that doesn’t charge for currency conversion or international ATM withdrawals.
The
Betterment Checking for instance reimburses all foreign transaction and ATM fees, keeping your pockets padded for more macarons and baguettes.
Tip: Banks in France won’t charge you to make a withdrawal, so you can withdraw euros and make over-the-counter purchases for roughly the same price as you would back home — and in some cases, it can be even cheaper.
Pros
Security with chip and PIN
Direct access to own money
Widely used in France
Cons
ATM fees
Finding an ATM in your banking network may be difficult
These travel cards allow you to load dollars and lock in a rate when you convert the funds to euros — letting you spend without paying the 3% currency conversion fee. You can hold different currencies on these cards at the same time, which is handy if you’re heading to the UK.
Although you’re saving on currency conversion, you may be subject to ATM fees, reload fees, card issue fees and inactivity fees.
Tip: You get two cards when you apply for one of these accounts, so store the second card somewhere safe to be used as a backup.
You can use your card in France for most things, but if you want to shop at the street markets, you’ll need cash — ATMs are typically onsite. Places like Porte de Clignancourt and Les Puces de Montreuil in Paris have some amazing deals for things you never thought you’d find.
Don’t bother with traveler’s checks — they’re expensive and inconvenient. There’s a commission when you cash traveler’s checks, and you’ll wait in long lines at the bank.
The euro comes in the denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.
The main banks in France are:
BNP Paribas
Credit Agricole
BPCE
Societe Generale
Groupe Credit Mutuel
Credit Cooperatif
La Banque Postale
Credit du Nord
AXA Banque
Banque Palatine
Buying currency in the US
Euros are a major international currency, and you can buy euros at banks, exchange offices, at the airport – the list goes on. You will get a better deal if you wait to buy euros in France, even better if you make an ATM withdrawal using a no ATM fee and no foreign transaction fee debit or travel card.
If you want some cash in your pocket when you land, compare the following foreign cash providers.
Euros are a stable currency, so don’t expect the rate to change too much when you’re in France. If you believe it’s going to get more expensive to purchase euros, you can lock in a rate with a travel card or traveler’s checks.
Some key information to know if you’re using an ATM in France:
Bank ATMs don’t charge a local ATM operator fee.
If you’re using a Visa or Mastercard, you shouldn’t have a problem. Check with your card provider if you’ll be using a different brand.
You’ll be able to pick a language for the ATM.
You get to pick the denominations you want.
Find ATMs in France
How to keep your travel money safe when in France
Generally speaking, France is a safe location for tourists. Take all the usual precautions you would take in the US. This includes walking in well-lit areas at night, and never leaving your belongings unattended.
But if you want to up your safety odds, consider carrying your wallet in your pocket or use a money belt. This is especially true for busy tourist areas and on public transit.
How much should I budget to travel in France?
Paris is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, and prices can rise according to the number of tourists and the destination’s reputation. For example, Bordeaux is a rich city and famous for its wine, whereas lesser-known cities such as Lille are a little cheaper — but only marginally. All prices are in US dollars.
Budget
Mid-range
Expensive
Accommodation
$25–$40 per night
2-star hotel $75–$150 per night
5-star hotel $600–$800+ per night
Meals
Falafel sandwich (rue des Rosiers, Le Marais) $5 Coffee with croissant/ pastry $8
Lunch at a mid-range restaurant $20–$25 per dish
Michelin star restaurant $75+ per dish
Activities
Free museum day on the first Sunday of every month
Admission to the Louvre $18
VIP seating and dinner at the Moulin Rouge $500
*Prices are approximate and based on summer seasonality and are subject to change.
Case study: Jacob's experience
Jacob
Interview with Jacob about spending travel money in France
Jacob spends a bit of time in Paris. Last time he was in France, he spent two and a half months in Paris and a few weeks traveling to some of the smaller cities in the North of France.
Kyle Morgan is SEO manager at Forbes Advisor and a former editor and content strategist at Finder. He has written for the USA Today network and Relix magazine, among other publications. He holds a BA in journalism and media from Rutgers University.
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