Best ways to spend travel money in France: Debit and prepaid cards

The euro has been the national currency of France since 1999, as it was one of the first countries to join the Eurozone. With France being a modern, western country, you will find it easy to spend using your credit, debit or travel cards. Read our handy travel money guide to find out which travel money product is best for you.

Best way to pay in France: Cash or card?

You can get by using your card a lot of the time in France, nearly all restaurants, bars and shops take card and there are numerous ATMs around the country however it is always useful to carry a small amount of cash if ever a need arises. For example if you want to go market hunting (and who doesn’t?), you’ll need cash. Places like Porte de Clignancourt and Les Puces de Montreuil in Paris have some amazing deals for things you never thought you’d find. Of course, these markets are cash only (ATMs are onsite).

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Using a travel prepaid card

These cards allow you to load British pounds and lock in a rate when you convert the funds to euros. This lets you spend without paying the additional fee for currency conversion.

Although you’re saving on currency conversion, there are other fees to watch out for when you use a travel card. ATM fees, reload fees, card issue fees and inactivity fees (yes, some travel card providers charge you when you don’t use the product) can all add up.

• Tip: You get 2 cards when you apply for 1 of these accounts. The second card can be kept as a backup in case the first card is lost or stolen.

Can I use my debit card in France?

Yes, most shops, restaurants and bars in France accept debit cards from UK banks. Equipped with a chip, secured with a PIN, and providing direct access to your own money, almost everyone in France uses a debit card (and credit card) to pay. You may however be charged significant overseas fees each time you use your card.

If you’re looking at applying for a debit card specifically for the purpose of travelling, it’s really worth considering an account that doesn’t charge for currency conversion (the main value proposition of a prepaid travel card), international ATM withdrawals or an account keeping fee. Digital challenger banks like Starling and Monzo offer travel-friendly accounts, and can be a strong choice to avoid most fees associated with spending money abroad.

Using a credit card

Credit cards are widely accepted in France. Like Britain, Visa and Mastercard cards can be used at every business that takes card and many businesses provide contactless payment facilities for purchases under €100. Pick a travel-friendly credit card if you’re looking to apply for an additional line of credit for your trip to France. As well as waiving currency conversion charges, you can also save money by taking advantage of travel features like complimentary international travel insurance and complimentary purchase protection insurance.

• Tip: Be careful using your credit card to get cash, it’s a cash advance and there are a number of charges which make this the most expensive way to get money from an ATM.

Using traveller’s cheques

Don’t bother with traveller’s cheques. They’re expensive and inconvenient. There’s a commission when you cash traveller’s cheques and you’ll have to wait in line at a bank. Withdraw money from an ATM using a debit card or travel card. You get the same features at a better price.

How many euros do I need to bring to France?

Paris is one of the top tourist destinations in the world and prices rise in France according to the number of tourists and the destination’s reputation. For example, Bordeaux is a rich city and famous for its wine. Monaco (city state: France but not French) is as expensive as Paris and lesser known cities such as Lille are a little cheaper, but only marginally.

Paris	Budget	Midrange	Expensive
	Hostel £20 – £40 per night	2-star hotel £60 – £150 per night	5-star hotel £200 – £400+ per night
	Falafel sandwich (rue des Rosiers, Le Marais) £5 Coffee with croissant/ pastry £7	Lunch at a mid-range restaurant £12 – £17 per dish	Michelin star restaurant £60+ per dish
	Free museum day on the first Tuesday of every month	Admission to the Louvre £15	VIP seating and dinner at the Moulin Rouge £350+

*Prices are approximate and based on summer seasonality and are subject to change.

Which to take: Travel credit card, debit card or credit card?

Bars, clubs, bakeries, supermarkets, metro vending machines, retailers, museums and movie theatres are all card-friendly. Like the British, the French like to use their card for the majority of payments. Some merchants impose a minimum limit, €10 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. Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere, but American Express and Diners Club cards can be used in fewer places. Large retailers usually accept AMEX, but small businesses do not.

_{This table is a general summary of the travel money products in the market. Features and benefits can vary between cards.}

ATMs in France

ATMs are everywhere in France. Ask for a “banque électronique” if you need directions from a local — though you really won’t have to look far to find a machine from a bank which will give you free withdrawals.
Some key information if you’re using an ATM in France:

• ATMs from banks do not charge a local ATM operator fee.
• Card acceptance is not an issue if you’re using a Visa or Mastercard. Some debit cards will also be accepted by mainstream banks such as BNP or Société Générale.
• You get to pick your language, but if you insert a foreign card, you’ll get English by default.
• You get to pick the denominations you want.

Buying euros in Britain

You can take as many euros with you to the European Union as you want. You have to declare if you’re carrying more than €10,000 cash. This includes bank notes, traveller’s cheques and gold bullion. It’s easy to buy euros in the UK. You can change pounds to euros in almost any bank, high street or online travel shop, as well as in the airport.

Currency in France

To avoid overpaying when using cash, familiarise yourself with the euro banknotes. The euro comes in the denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500.

Bottom line

Take a combination of the travel money products to get the most from your travel budget. A credit card is a great way to finance big ticket 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 organise an emergency replacement card from Britain.

France has a lot to offer and won’t disappoint. First time visitors will no doubt be smitten by the country’s rolling hills, glamorous coastlines, ever-so-chic towns and cities, and of course, its delectable cuisine. If you have a tip to share about taking money to France, please share with other readers in the forum. If you have a question, use the form below and one of our team will be happy to answer it for you.

Written by

Charlie Barton

Publisher

Charlie Barton was a publisher at Finder. He specialised in banking and investments products, including banking apps, current accounts, share-dealing platforms and stocks and shares ISAs. Charlie has a first-class degree from the London School of Economics, and in his spare time enjoys long walks on the beach. See full bio