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Money & duty free for France

Currency information: 

Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 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.

Credit cards: 

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.

Travellers cheques: 

Traveller's cheques are accepted nearly everywhere.

Banking hours: 

Banking hours in Paris are usually from 1000-1700, Monday through Friday. Throughout the rest of France, banks are usually open from 1000-1300 and 1500-1700, Tuesday to Saturday. Banks often close earlier the day before a public holiday.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if travelling from or to a country outside the European Union.

Currency exchange: 

Currency exchange can be made in most banks and post offices as well as in some large stores, train stations, airports and exchange offices near major tourist sites. Shops and hotels are prohibited by law from accepting foreign currency. Travellers should check with their banks for details and current rates.

France duty free

France is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items.

If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into France by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits over 22% or 2L of alcoholic beverage up to 22%.
• 2L of wine.
• 50g of perfume and 250mL of eau de toilette.
• 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract.
• 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract.
• Medication: quantities corresponding to the needs of the patient.
• Other goods up to the value of €175 (€90 per person under 15 years of age).

Restricted items
Gold jewellery below 500g in weight, which is not for personal use, must be declared.

Banned imports: 

Plants and plant products, meat and meat products, pharmaceutical products (except those needed for personal use), works of art, collectors' items and antiques, weapons, obscene and immoral literature.

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