ATM machines in Paris

how should you deal with money during your stay in Paris?

There are several ways...

- Travelers checks: it is safe and easy to travel with travelers checks. You need to purchase them in advance (to your bank).

Many banks will offer you to get these travelers checks for free, though you will get a fairly bad exchange rate in return...

Be aware that you cannot use these checks as a regular payment means in Paris (you will need to stop by a bank once more to cash them). In any case avoid bringing travelers checks in dollars: you are coming to "Euroland", and dollars will not make your life easier at all!

- Cash: avoid bringing dollars (or any "foreign" currency) with you to Paris, as it might be costly to exchange your money here: professionals know you do not have too many options but to accept their exchange rates! :-)

About Euro bills: avoid bringing 200 € and 500 € bills, as they are not common, so not many shops will take them... Better to carry 20 €, 50 € and 100 € bills.

- Credit Cards: this is a very convenient way to get money in Paris, as there are ATM machines everywhere (BTW, using ATM machines in Paris is free of charge with French banks, but you will have to pay a 1 time fee with your bank, which is usually about US$ 8 )

Be aware that you will be required to use your 4 digits PIN number (4 and NOT 5 digits!) at ATM machines: make sure you know it before coming!

Mastercards and Visa are fine, though American Express are not popular at all in France: you can not rely on your "Amex" to get money in Paris, or purchase things around...

Please note that whatever your spending limit is, you will not be allowed to withdraw more than 300 € to 500 € a day from ATM machines.

Our recommendation:

It is better to purchase euros in advance, in your home country, to have some cash, and to use your credit card to make expenses, go to the supermarkets, restaurants, as this is how you get the best exchange rate with your bank (usually)...