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Money
The Euro
The Euro began circulation on January 1, 2002. There are 27 countries that have adopted the Euro: Austria, Belgium,Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Solvakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Credit/Debit cards vs Travelers Checks
Most businesses in France accept credit and debit cards as payment. Generally speaking, the way to go is to withdraw cash from an ATM machine (“un distributeur”), located outside of most banks and post offices, rather than using travelers checks, which consume more time and money. Before your departure, be sure to notify your bank as well as your credit card company, to prevent a hold being placed on your card when foreign transactions appear, and to find out what kind of overseas fees they might charge.
Most likely there will be a 1-3% withdrawal fee per transaction, so you might want to withdraw larger amounts less frequently and keep it stashed at your apartment or well concealed in a small money belt under your clothing.
If possible, consider bringing more than one major credit card, each from a different bank, because sometimes an approval for a purchase by credit card will be inexplicably denied, while a credit card from another bank is accepted for the same transaction. Also, different credit card companies charge different fees.
Some specific suggestions: Bank of America has a cooperative agreement with the French bank BNP Paribas, so Bank of America cardholders pay no fees whatsoever when withdrawing from a BNP distributeur. Capital One does not charge overseas withdrawal fees. Acquiring an additional credit card with low or no overseas fees may therefore be a good idea to use just for travel abroad.
If you don’t want to use credit, a debit card with a major credit card logo will work just as well. (Be sure to remember your PIN!)
French credit cards use a microchip. If the merchant refuses your card or seems to have trouble, ask them to swipe your card, or point out the magnetic stripe and indicate that you will have to sign for the charge. “Avec cette carte, je dois signer”. Or: “C’est une carte étrangère, il faut une signature”.
It is always a good idea to have some cash in the local currency. For the best rates, wait till you can withdraw cash from the local distributeur rather than at foreign exchange kiosks at travel locations.
Cars & Driving
Credit card use on freeways and highways
Toll booths
Although your card may be accepted at some tollbooths, be prepared to pay for tollways with cash. Oftentimes foreign cards, which lack the microchip present in French cards, will not be accepted by toll machines. Get into any lane at toll stations except those in orange marked “télépéage”. They are for daily commuters using a prepaid monthly card. There are a lot more ordinary lanes for everyone else than for commuters. The other lanes take cards or cash.
Driving Tips
At an intersection, always give priority to the car on your right unless otherwise indicated. This basic rule applies in the USA but is strict on French roadways. It is the one rule French people observe consistently, perhaps because there are fewer Stop signs, and Four Way stops do not exist there.
Another basic rule, stay in the right lane on freeways except to pass. If you see an impatient driver in your rear view mirror, don’t worry, just maintain your driving speed and let them over-take when it’s safe. Don’t take it personally, they have no idea you are American.
Paying for Gasoline
When filling up your car, be prepared to pay with cash in case your card is not accepted. In order to pay for gas with your card, you may need to enter the gas station store to do so in person; plan ahead if you anticipate needing gas after stores are closed in the evening. Consider going to a Hypermarché or similar large supermarket, usually on the edge of town; you can save up to 5% this way.
Road Signs for France
More Driving Tips for France
Car rental tip: Car rental upgrades may not be a good idea. The vehicle will be of larger proportions and harder to negotiate through some of the tiny roads and parking spaces you are likely to come across. Many French families travel in vans but they are familiar with their itineraries and limitations.
Public Transportation
Rail in France and Europe
Travel by train is one of the most popular and efficient ways to get around Europe. The Paris/Nice route only takes five and a half hours by TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse, which means “High Speed Train”). Travel times by TGV:
- Paris - Lyon: 2 hours
- Paris - Avignon: 3 hours
- Paris - Marseille: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Paris - Nice: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Paris- Bordeaux: 3 hours
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