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Home  >  World  > Europe  > France Money Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including France). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the French Franc was still in circulation until 17 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Currency exchange: Some first-class hotels are authorised to exchange foreign currency. Visitors should also look for the ‘Crédit Mutuel’ or ‘Crédit Agricole’, which have longer opening hours. Shops and hotels are prohibited from accepting foreign currency by law. Many UK banks offer differing exchange rates depending on the denominations of currency being bought or sold. Travellers should check with their banks for details and current rates. Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: Travellers cheques are accepted almost everywhere. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local and foreign currency is unrestricted. Amounts over €7622 must be declared. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 €1= £0.63 £0.64 £0.63 £0.68 €1= $0.92 $0.97 $1.00 $1.08 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 and 1400-1600. Some banks close Monday and some are open Saturday. Banks close early (1200) on the day before a bank holiday; in rare cases, they may also close for all or part of the day after. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd. Terms and Conditions apply.