Is cash still widely used?
Moderately. France has good card infrastructure, especially in Paris and major cities. However, smaller vendors, street markets, rural restaurants, and some bakeries still prefer cash. Many French businesses have a minimum spend for card payments.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs (distributeurs) are widely available in cities and towns. BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and Crédit Agricole machines are the most common.
- Fees for foreign cards are typically around 3 EUR per withdrawal
- Free withdrawal is often possible with certain European bank cards
- ATMs are less common in rural villages — withdraw in advance
Card acceptance
Good in cities. Visa and Mastercard are broadly accepted. Chip-and-PIN is standard; contactless is widely available. Some smaller establishments have a minimum of €5-10 for card payments.
Tips for travelers
- Carry €20-50 in cash for markets, tips, and smaller vendors
- Sunday trading hours are limited — many businesses close
- Paris markets like Marché d’Aligre are cash-only
- Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill is appreciated