Today's Date:

Since February 18, 2002, French franc coins and notes are no longer legal tender in France.

The euro in brief

• What is the euro?

• How to say it/write it?

• What does the euro look like?

Tips for the American Traveler

• Will I be able to change French Francs into euros?

• Traveler's checks

• Will my credit and ATM cards work?

Starting January 1, 2002, the euro is used for ALL transactions in the 12 participating European Union countries (France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland - the Euro zone). New euro bills and coins have been introduced throughout the Euro zone and the old national currencies progressively withdrawn from circulation. The speed of the changeover from existing national currencies to the euro vary from country to country, depending on their respective national changeover plans (see timetable below). In the U.S., euro notes have been available from most banks and exchange offices along with other currencies since January 1, 2002.

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.

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./.