Currency Exchange In France

Money, Currency & Payments in France

Money, Currency & Payments in France

France uses the Euro (€ / EUR), which is the official currency used throughout the country. Most guests will find France very easy to navigate financially, especially in cities, hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, and transportation hubs.

That said, it is still wise to prepare before departure so you are not surprised by international card fees, ATM charges, exchange-rate markups, or situations where small amounts of cash are useful.

Typical Conversion Rate

Exchange rates fluctuate daily, but as a general planning guide:

$1 USD ≈ €0.85–€0.90 EUR

This means that €100 EUR may cost approximately $112–$118 USD, depending on the exchange rate and any fees charged by your bank, card company, ATM, or exchange service.

Rates can change quickly, so check the current rate before making larger withdrawals or purchases. Wise’s USD-to-EUR tracker showed the rate around $1 USD = €0.86 EUR in mid-May 2026, though this should be treated only as a current reference point, not a guaranteed travel rate.

Best Ways to Check Exchange Rates

Use real-time digital tools instead of relying on airport exchange boards or tourist-area exchange counters.

Helpful tools include:

• XE Currency App
• Wise Currency Converter
• Google Search: “USD to EUR”
• Your bank’s mobile app
• Your credit card app

A good habit is to check the rate before your trip and again shortly before making a large purchase or ATM withdrawal.

Traveler Tip:
When checking rates online, remember that the rate you see is usually the market or mid-market rate. Your actual rate may be slightly different once your bank, credit card company, ATM, or currency exchange provider processes the transaction.

Using Cash & Cards in France

France is very card-friendly, especially in cities, larger towns, hotels, restaurants, museums, shops, cafés, and train stations. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, and contactless tap-to-pay is common.

Cards are widely accepted at:

• Hotels
• Restaurants and cafés
• Museums and attractions
• Shops and boutiques
• Train stations and transportation services
• Pharmacies
• Supermarkets
• Many taxis and rideshare services

Cash is still useful for:

• Small village shops
• Local markets
• Public restrooms in some areas
• Small cafés or independent vendors
• Tips for guides, drivers, porters, or housekeeping
• Quick purchases such as snacks, water, or small souvenirs
• Emergency backup if a card machine is not working

For most travelers, carrying €50–€150 EUR in small bills is a reasonable starting amount. You do not need to carry large amounts of cash.

Card Use Overview

Visa & Mastercard
These are the most widely accepted credit and debit cards in France.

American Express
American Express may be accepted at some hotels, higher-end restaurants, and larger businesses, but it is not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard. Bring a backup card.

Discover Card
Discover is not commonly accepted in France. Do not rely on it as your primary card.

Debit Cards
Debit cards can be useful for ATM withdrawals, but credit cards are usually better for larger purchases because they may offer stronger fraud protection and travel-related benefits.

Contactless Payments
Tap-to-pay cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are common throughout France. However, always carry at least one physical card in case a mobile wallet is not accepted.

Notify Your Bank Before Traveling

Before departure, contact your bank and credit card companies or update your travel notice in their apps.

Ask about:

• Foreign transaction fees
• ATM withdrawal fees
• Daily withdrawal limits
• International fraud alerts
• Whether your card has a PIN
• Emergency replacement card options
• Whether your debit card will work in France

Some banks no longer require travel notices, but it is still smart to confirm. A blocked card while abroad can be inconvenient, especially during free time or travel days.

Bring More Than One Card

We strongly recommend traveling with at least two different cards, ideally from two different banks or card networks.

For example:

• One primary credit card
• One backup credit card
• One debit card for ATM withdrawals

Keep one card in your wallet and another secured separately in your luggage or hotel safe. This gives you a backup if a card is lost, blocked, damaged, or declined.

Best Way to Get Euros

The best way to get Euros is usually by using a bank-affiliated ATM in France rather than exchanging large amounts of cash before departure.

Look for ATMs connected to major French banks such as:

• BNP Paribas
• Crédit Agricole
• Société Générale
• Crédit Mutuel
• Banque Populaire
• La Banque Postale
• LCL

Bank ATMs generally offer better security and more reasonable processing than independent tourist-area ATMs.

Best practice:
Withdraw a moderate amount, such as €100–€200 EUR, rather than making many small withdrawals. This may reduce repeated ATM fees.

Avoid Independent Tourist ATMs

Some independent ATMs in tourist-heavy areas may charge high fees or offer poor exchange rates. They may also present confusing screens that encourage you to accept their conversion rate.

Be cautious with ATMs located:

• Inside souvenir shops
• Near major tourist attractions
• In nightlife districts
• In convenience shops
• In areas with large “cash machine” signs

When possible, use an ATM attached to or located inside a bank.

Dynamic Currency Conversion: Always Choose Euros

When paying by card or withdrawing cash, you may be asked:

“Would you like to be charged in USD or EUR?”

Always choose:

EUR / Euros / Local Currency

Choosing USD usually triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion, where the merchant, ATM operator, or payment processor applies its own exchange rate. This rate is often worse than the rate your bank or card network would provide. Visa explains that dynamic currency conversion allows a foreign transaction to be converted into your home currency at the point of sale, but this may include exchange-rate markups or extra costs.

A simple rule:

In France, pay in Euros. Let your own bank or credit card company handle the conversion.

Foreign Transaction Fees

Some credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee, often around 1%–3% of each purchase. Other travel-friendly cards charge no foreign transaction fee.

Before your trip, check each card and identify which one is best for international purchases.

Look for:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Good fraud protection
• Travel protections, if available
• Easy app access while abroad
• Emergency support number

If your card charges a foreign transaction fee, you can still use it, but small fees may add up over the course of the trip.

Credit Card PINs

Many card transactions in France use chip-and-PIN technology. U.S. credit cards often work as chip-and-signature or contactless cards, but some machines may request a PIN.

Before departure:

• Make sure you know your debit card PIN
• Ask your credit card company whether your card has a PIN
• Test your PIN before traveling, if possible
• Carry more than one payment method

This is especially helpful for train stations, ticket machines, parking machines, vending machines, and some unattended kiosks.

Money While Onboard the CroisiEurope River Cruise

During the cruise portion of the tour, your onboard spending needs may be different from your land spending.

CroisiEurope river cruises generally include many of the core cruise services, but guests may still want money or a card for optional expenses, personal purchases, upgraded drinks if applicable, laundry if available, boutique items, gratuities, or purchases during shore time.

Plan to have:

• A credit card for onboard account settlement, if requested
• Some Euros in small bills for tips and small purchases
• A backup card
• Cash for independent shore purchases, markets, cafés, or restrooms

Important:
Ship policies can vary by itinerary, vessel, charter arrangement, and included package. Follow the final instructions provided by Mysterious Adventures Tours and CroisiEurope closer to departure.

Onboard Wi-Fi, Apps & Payments

If you rely on banking apps, credit card alerts, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or mobile wallet verification, make sure they are working before you leave home.

Before departure:

• Update your banking and credit card apps
• Make sure you know your passwords
• Enable international access if your bank requires it
• Confirm your phone can receive verification codes
• Add your cards to Apple Pay or Google Pay
• Bring the physical card even if you use a mobile wallet

Do not rely only on ship Wi-Fi or hotel Wi-Fi for banking access. Wi-Fi can vary while traveling, especially onboard a river cruise.

Tipping Customs in France

Tipping in France is different from tipping in the United States.

Restaurant bills in France generally include service, often shown as “service compris.” This means tipping is appreciated, but not required in the same way it is in the U.S. Travel guidance commonly notes that rounding up or leaving a small extra amount for good service is customary, rather than tipping a large percentage automatically.

Restaurants & Cafés

For casual meals or cafés:

• Round up to the nearest Euro
• Leave €1–€5 for good service
• For higher-end dining, 5%–10% may be appropriate for exceptional service

You are not expected to tip 15%–20% as you might in the United States.

Bars & Coffee Shops

• Round up to the nearest Euro
• Leave small change if service was pleasant
• Tipping is appreciated, but not required

Taxis & Rides

• Round up the fare
• Tip 5%–10% for helpful service, luggage assistance, or a longer ride

Hotels

• Porters: €1–€2 per bag
• Housekeeping: €2–€5 per night
• Concierge: €5–€20 depending on the assistance provided

Tour Guides & Drivers

Unless otherwise advised in your final tour documents, general guidance is:

• Local guides: €5–€15 per traveler per day
• Drivers: €3–€10 per traveler per day
• Specialized guides or private experiences may warrant more

Cash in Euros is usually preferred for gratuities.

Tipping During the Cruise Portion

For the cruise portion, final gratuity guidance will depend on your specific tour arrangements, inclusions, and MAT instructions.

Guests may wish to have Euros available for:

• Cruise staff gratuities, if not already included
• Local guides during shore excursions
• Coach drivers
• Porters or luggage assistance
• Special service moments

If gratuities are included in your tour package, MAT will clarify this in your final documents. Even when gratuities are included, guests may still choose to offer an additional personal thank-you for exceptional service.

Bringing USD From Home

U.S. dollars are not commonly accepted in France.

It is not necessary to bring large amounts of U.S. cash. Exchanging USD locally can be inconvenient and may involve unfavorable rates or service fees.

If you bring USD, keep it as emergency backup only. Smaller bills are easier to exchange than large bills, but Euros are what you will actually need for daily use.

Should You Exchange Money Before You Leave?

You may choose to get a small amount of Euros before departure for peace of mind, especially for arrival-day expenses.

A reasonable amount is:

€50–€150 EUR

This can be helpful for:

• Airport snacks or water
• Tips
• Taxi backup
• Small purchases
• Public restrooms
• Unexpected card issues

However, you usually do not need to exchange a large amount before leaving home. ATMs in France are widely available, and card payments are common.

Airport Exchange Counters

Airport exchange counters are convenient but often offer less favorable rates and higher service fees.

Use them only if necessary.

Better options usually include:

• Withdrawing Euros from a bank ATM in France
• Ordering a small amount of Euros from your bank before departure
• Using a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card
• Paying in Euros by card

Declaring Cash at Customs

If you are entering or leaving the European Union with €10,000 or more in cash, or the equivalent in another currency, you must declare it to customs. Amounts below this threshold generally do not require declaration. The European Commission states that travelers entering or leaving the EU must declare cash of €10,000 or more.

This includes cash and certain cash-like instruments.

Most travelers will not be carrying anywhere near this amount.

Contactless Payments & Mobile Wallets

Contactless payments are widely used in France.

Common options include:

• Tap-to-pay credit cards
• Tap-to-pay debit cards
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay

Still, do not rely exclusively on your phone. Batteries die, phones can be misplaced, and some merchants may request a physical card.

Bring:

• Your physical credit card
• Your debit card
• A small amount of Euros
• A backup card stored separately

Daily Budgeting Tip

Many expenses on a group tour are already included, but guests should still plan for personal spending.

For casual daily expenses, a comfortable planning amount is:

€50–€100 EUR per person per day

This may cover:

• Drinks outside included meals
• Snacks or coffee
• Souvenirs
• Independent lunches or dinners
• Tips
• Small museum or attraction purchases
• Taxi or rideshare during free time
• Personal shopping

Some guests spend much less, while others spend more depending on shopping, dining, cocktails, spa services, and optional independent activities.

Sample Personal Spending Categories

You may want to budget for:

• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Wine, cocktails, or specialty drinks
• Souvenirs and gifts
• Independent taxis or rideshares
• Laundry
• Extra snacks or bottled water
• Optional admissions during free time
• Personal pharmacy items
• Tips and gratuities
• Cruise or hotel extras

Keeping Your Money Safe

France is generally safe for travelers, but pickpocketing can happen in crowded areas, train stations, markets, tourist districts, and public transportation.

Helpful precautions:

• Use a crossbody bag or secure day bag
• Keep zippers closed
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• Do not keep all cards and cash in one place
• Use ATMs inside or attached to banks
• Never accept help from strangers at ATMs
• Be cautious in crowded areas
• Keep your phone secure when using mobile payments
• Use your hotel safe when appropriate

What To Do If Your Card Is Lost or Blocked

Before departure, save your bank and credit card emergency numbers in your phone.

If your card is lost, stolen, or blocked:

— Lock the card in your banking app, if available
— Contact your bank or card company immediately
— Use your backup card
— Notify your Tour Director if you need assistance
— File a police report if theft is involved
— Keep records for travel insurance, if applicable

This is why traveling with more than one payment method is so important.

Traveler Tip

For most travelers, the easiest approach is:

• Use a credit card for hotels, dining, shops, and larger purchases
• Use a debit card to withdraw Euros from bank ATMs
• Carry a small amount of Euros for tips, markets, cafés, and restrooms
• Always choose EUR when paying by card
• Avoid airport exchange counters unless absolutely necessary
• Keep a backup card stored separately
• Use mobile wallet payments when convenient, but always carry the physical card

Before You Leave: Money Checklist

✔ Confirm your credit card has no or low foreign transaction fees
✔ Notify your bank or check your travel notice settings
✔ Confirm your debit card will work in France
✔ Know your debit card PIN
✔ Ask whether your credit card has a PIN
✔ Bring at least two cards from different accounts if possible
✔ Add cards to Apple Pay or Google Pay
✔ Bring a small amount of Euros, ideally €50–€150
✔ Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
✔ Download your bank and credit card apps
✔ Save bank emergency phone numbers
✔ Set up transaction alerts
✔ Check your daily ATM withdrawal limit
✔ Use bank-affiliated ATMs in France
✔ Always choose EUR, not USD, when paying or withdrawing cash
✔ Carry small Euro bills for tips and small purchases
✔ Keep one backup card stored separately from your wallet
✔ Budget €50–€100 per day for personal spending, depending on your habits

Final Recommendation

The best money strategy for France is simple:

Use cards for most purchases, withdraw Euros from bank ATMs as needed, carry a modest amount of cash, and always choose Euros when given a currency option.

This will help you avoid unnecessary fees, reduce stress, and enjoy your journey through France with confidence.