The Euro
Since February 18, 2002, French franc coins and notes are no longer legal tender in France.
What is the euro?
Ten years ago the European Central Bank (ECB) introduced a common currency called the euro throughout participating European Union (E.U.) member states,effectively binding together a multilingual continent of distinct cultures, economies and governments with a common tender.The euro has become the national currency of 16 countries and is used daily by 500 million people — giving it the highest combined value of cash on the world market.Along with facilitating trade in the E.U., the euro is also a symbolic and tangible daily reminder of a political and economic cohesion forged over 50 years ago with the Treaty of Rome (see NFF 07.04).
How to write it?
The graphic euro symbol is €. (hold down the ALT key and type 0128 on the numeric keypad part of your keyboard.)
The official abbreviation is EUR, congruent with DEM, FRF and USD, for example.
What does the euro look like ?
There are seven denominations of euro bills: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. The bills’ designs are common throughout the Euro zone, both front and back, and incorporate illustrations of bridges, gateways and windows.
Coins are issued in eight denominations: 2 and 1 euro, and then, in euro cents, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Each denomination has a common face throughout the Euro zone. The other face, however, is decorated uniquely by issuing countries. The full range of notes -and coins are shown on the European Central Bank website. All are valid throughout participating countries regardless of the issuing state or the particular design.
Tips for the American Traveler
Will I be able to change French francs into euros ?
Any customer with old French banknotes may:
Send his French banknotes before 17/02/2012 for current series of banknotes by registered mail to : Banque de France, Caisse Générale, Service 18, 10 Boulevard Duclaux, 63407 Chamalières Cedex - France to exchange against euro baknotes if the amount is less than up to 5000EUR.
No international legislation has been written concerning the exchange of old currencies into euros or other currencies in a non-Euro zone country after January 1, 2002.
Traveler’s checks
Euro traveler’s checks are already available and usable in the Euro zone. Note that travelers checks in French francs will no longer be accepted as of January 1, 2002. Send unused checks back to the issuing establishment for a refund
Will my credit and ATM cards work?
Yes. For American travelers, credit and debit cards will be debited by the dollar equivalent of the euro on their transaction slip./.
