Ah… Fronse… Real Champagne. Reels of cheese. And Paree love. There really is everything in this romantic country, whether you want to cosy up in its alpine villages, sprawl out on the French Riviera, or take a quaint bicycle ride along green winery roads. Either way, your euros will be put to good use.
5/5 stars – Researchers says there’s one ATM for every baguette. OK, this research isn’t real (surprise!), but both really are everywhere. Just make sure you have euros handy in small towns.
Not required in cafés and restaurants, but accepted in hotels and taxis.
France has free wee-fee spots everywhere!
Bigger cities will price some things higher, but costs shouldn’t get too steep.
Coffee: NZ$4.30 (regular cappuccino)
Water: NZ$2.60 (330mL bottle)
Beer: NZ$9.40 (glass of draft beer)
Food: NZ$6.85 (baguette brekky)
Taxi: NZ$102.20 (airport to Paris)
Big Mac: NZ$6.50 (French fries not included)
Budget: Around NZ$90/day (2x cheap meals, supermarket snacks, train ticket and entry to The Louvre)
Moderate: Around NZ$165/day (2x cheap meals, supermarket snacks and entry to the Palace of Versailles)
Luxury: Around NZ$220/day (2x restaurant meals, supermarket snacks and lunch on the Eiffel Tower)
3/5 stars - Your overall safety is pretty high. But we can’t say the same for your travel money. To be franc, theft and scams are quite common. So hold your belongings tight.
Currency révolution
In 1795, the French Revolution flipped the old livre tournois coin and caught the franc.
Down the Franc
The French franc lost its legal tender status in 2002 after the euro was fully adopted.
CFP Franc
French colonies (French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna) use old francs.
Twenty-two vision
So far, the euro has brought 22 currenseas into one ocean of money.
Liberty. Equality. Fraternity.
The French €1 and €2 coin feature the motto: Liberté Egalité Fraternité.
As France is under the euro currency, your French travels are kept simple. Especially if you plan to visit its neighbours. They all use euros too, except for Switzerland (but many shops there will still accept your euros – that classic Swiss sweetness). Keep a medium amount of cash on hand – enough for the day, but not too much for pickpockets.
Eiffel Tower
Rise with the iconic tower and blow a kiss onto the cheek of the city of love – Paris.
Mont Saint-Michel
This island town is something from a fairy tale. Cross its causeway and walk through its winding medieval streets.
Chamonix
In the Alps on the tip of Switzerland, this resort area has the softest snow for skiing and the most glorious white scenery.
Carcassone
Carcassone in southern France will surely enchant you. Its fortified walls are stunning at dusk and they embrace a charming town.
Saint Tropez
The French Riviera hosts hundreds of gorgeous beaches, like at the beautiful and serene fishing village of Saint Tropez.
Get the best deal on your foreign exchange today & take off with more spending money. Order online 24/7 or visit one of our 20+ stores.
Travel Money NZ has sought to ensure that the information is true and correct at the time of publication. Prices, details and services are subject to change without notice, and Travel Money NZ accepts no responsibility or liability for any such changes, including any loss resulting from any action taken or reliance made by you on any information provided. Daily Cost: All prices are approximations. Your costs may differ depending on where you go, where you shop, and their individual factors. Daily Budget: Costs are estimated per person and do not include accommodation.