Page 262 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

260  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Currency DIRECTORY

As in most parts of the world, credit and debit cards are the ATMs and Travel
most convenient way of paying for goods and services when Currency Cards
travelling around France, and the best way of withdrawing FairFX
local currency. You may bring any amount of currency into ∑ fairfx.com
France, but anything over €10,000 must be declared on Travelex
arrival. The same applies when you leave. Bureaux de change ∑ travelex.com
can usually be found at airports, large railway stations and Credit and Debit Cards
ferry ports, and also in major city centres.
American Express
Tel 01 47 77 72 00.
ATMs
MasterCard
Virtually all bank branches, Tel 0800 90 13 87.
even those in more remote
villages, have automated teller VISA
machines, or ATMs that are Tel 0800 90 11 79.
open 24 hours a day. ATM
cash machines accept most Credit and Debit Cards
major credit and debit cards,
enabling you to withdraw Major credit cards such as
money in euros directly from VISA or MasterCard and
your own bank account. The debit cards such as Delta
international cards accepted by or Maestro are widely used
each ATM will be indicated by all over France and are
stickers on the machine itself, effectively essential for many
and most French ATMs give larger transactions such as
Withdrawing cash at an ATM instructions in English. renting a car. However, because
Using an ATM is the quickest of the high commissions
Banks and Bureaux and most convenient way charged, many French
de Change
of obtaining cash in euros; businesses do not accept
Larger bank branches in however, it’s advisable to be American Express cards.
Brittany’s cities and towns will aware of charges that may be French credit and debit
exchange foreign currency and levied by your bank or card cards operate on a chip-
travellers’ cheques for euros. issuer for this service. One way and-PIN system like that used
However, many smaller and to reduce such charges is to use in the UK; the two systems
country branches no longer a prepaid currency card, such as are compatible, so with a
offer this service (especially not the Cash Passport issued by British card you will be asked
travellers’ cheques), so be sure Travelex, which is loaded in to enter your PIN (code
to have a card that you can use advance with a set amount personnel) in the usual way. If
at an ATM cash dispenser. The in euros. The FairFX is another you have a North American card
commission rates charged by prepaid card that can be used that does not use chip-and-pin
French banks vary, so check as a debit card without high technology, you must ask that
before changing money. If you commission charges. your card be swiped and then
use travellers’ cheques, it will It is also worth bearing sign the receipt.
save money if you have them in mind that cash machines in
issued in euros. areas with heavy tourist passage
Banks in Brittany are may run out of banknotes over
generally open from 8:30 public holidays and during
or 9am to 5pm Tuesday to weekends. If an ATM is not
Saturday, closing for lunch from working or has run out of cash,
noon to 2pm. However, hours you can withdraw up to €300
vary considerably between per day on major credit cards
individual banks, and many at a bank. However, the bank
close earlier on Saturdays. Banks may need to obtain telephone
usually close at noon on the day authorization for such a
before a public holiday (see p37). withdrawal first; in branches
Independent bureaux de in rural areas, advance notice
change are relatively rare in may be required.
Brittany, except in airports, main Avoid using cash machines
railway stations and ferry ports. in empty streets at night. Be
Rates are often less favourable aware of your surroundings Logo for the Credit Mutual Bretagne
than in banks. and cover your PIN. (CMB) bank

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