🇫🇷 Paris Money Guide

Currency: Euro (€)
Currency Code: EUR
Exchange Rate: 1 EUR ≈ $1.08 USD (April 2026)

The Euro is used throughout France and most of the European Union, making it convenient if you are visiting multiple countries. Bills come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 denominations, while coins range from 1 cent to 2 euros. Avoid exchanging money at Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports where rates are notoriously poor — markups of 8-12% are common. Instead, use ATMs from major French banks like BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, or Credit Agricole, which offer interbank rates with minimal fees. Your US bank may charge a foreign transaction fee of 1-3%, so consider getting a no-foreign-fee card like the Chase Sapphire or Capital One Venture before your trip. Visa and Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere in Paris — from department stores to small bakeries. Contactless payments (tap-to-pay) are extremely popular and most terminals accept Apple Pay and Google Pay. American Express has more limited acceptance, particularly at smaller shops and restaurants. One critical warning: when paying by card, always choose to be charged in Euros, not US dollars. Merchants and ATMs may offer "Dynamic Currency Conversion" which sounds convenient but adds a hidden 3-7% markup on top of the exchange rate. Always select the local currency option.

France includes a service charge (service compris) in all restaurant bills by law, so tipping is not obligatory. However, leaving small change or rounding up is customary for good service — typically 1-2 euros for a casual meal or 5-10% for an exceptional fine-dining experience. At cafes, leaving 50 cents to 1 euro when paying for coffee or drinks is a nice gesture but never expected. For hotel staff, 1-2 euros per bag for porters and 1-2 euros per night for housekeeping left on the pillow is appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect tips but rounding up the fare by a euro or two is standard practice. Tour guides typically receive 5-10 euros per person for a half-day tour and 10-20 euros for a full day, depending on the quality of the experience. In bars, tipping is uncommon — the French simply do not tip at bars the way Americans do. Never feel pressured to leave a large tip; doing so can actually make staff uncomfortable as it implies the base wage is insufficient.

Paris unfortunately has several well-known tourist scams concentrated around major landmarks. The Petition Scam is rampant near the Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, and the Louvre — groups of young women approach you with a clipboard asking you to sign a "deaf charity" petition, then aggressively demand a cash donation or pickpocket you while you are distracted. Simply say "Non" firmly and keep walking. The Friendship Bracelet Scam operates at the base of Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre — a man will tie a string bracelet on your wrist before you can refuse, then demand 10-20 euros. Keep your hands in your pockets when climbing the steps. The Three-Card Monte (shell game) runs along the Seine embankments and near Pont Neuf — these are always rigged and the "winners" in the crowd are confederates. Around the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero, watch for the Cup-and-Ball Game, which operates the same way. Fake Metro Helpers station themselves at ticket machines in busy stations like Chatelet-Les Halles and Gare du Nord, "helping" you buy tickets while palming your change or overcharging you. Use the machines yourself or go to the ticket window. The Gold Ring Scam involves someone "finding" a gold ring near you and offering to sell it — it is always worthless brass. Pickpocketing is the most common real crime, concentrated on Metro Line 1 (Champs-Elysees), at the Eiffel Tower, in crowded markets like Clignancourt flea market, and on the RER B train to the airport. Use a money belt or front-pocket wallet, keep bags zipped and in front of you, and be alert when doors open on trains.

Quick Price Reference

Daily Budget Guide

A budget traveler can get by on approximately €80-120 per day in Paris by staying in hostels (€30-50/night), eating at bakeries and market stalls, and using a Navigo weekly pass (€30.75) for unlimited Metro rides. A typical cafe au lait costs €2.50-4.50, a baguette sandwich €4-6, and a basic bistro lunch menu (plat du jour) €12-18. A pint of beer at a bar runs €6-8, while a glass of wine is €5-7. Mid-range travelers spending €150-250 per day can enjoy 3-star hotel rooms (€100-160/night), sit-down restaurant dinners (€25-45), museum visits (Louvre €22, Orsay €16), and the occasional splurge on a Seine dinner cruise (€80-110). For luxury, expect €400+ per day — 5-star hotels start at €300/night, Michelin-starred restaurants run €80-200+ for dinner, and private guided tours cost €200-500. Money-saving tips: the Paris Museum Pass (€55 for 2 days) saves money if you visit 3+ museums. Many museums are free on the first Sunday of each month. The Navigo Decouverte weekly pass is far cheaper than buying individual Metro tickets. Grocery stores like Monoprix and Franprix offer excellent prepared foods for budget picnics in the parks.

Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund of approximately 12% (out of the 20% VAT rate) on purchases totaling €100.01 or more at a single store in one day. Look for "Tax Free Shopping" or "Detaxe" signs in store windows. At checkout, ask for a tax-free form (bordereau de detaxe) and present your passport. Before departing France, validate your forms at the PABLO electronic kiosks located in airport departure areas at CDG and Orly. For paper forms, visit the customs desk. Refunds are typically credited to your card within 1-3 months, or you can get an immediate cash refund at Global Blue or Planet Tax Free counters in the airport, though they charge a service fee. Department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps have dedicated tax refund desks that streamline the process.