Being part of the Euro Zone, which includes a majority of the European Union Countries, France uses the Euro as its national currency.

The Euro is broken up in to 100 cents (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent coins and 1 and 2 euro coins) and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euro notes.

Money can be changed at most postoffices (and not at the banks) foreign exchange offices, airports, ferry ports and train stations. Banks often have a large minimum commission, and avoid airports, ferry ports and train stations as rates there are poor. 

Credit cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and bars in major towns. However, it is advisable to keep cash with you just in case your credit card isn't taken.   Outside of towns many small restaurants and shops do not accept cards due to high handling charges.  Most bed and breakfasts do not accept credit cards.   French self-service petrol pumps tend to take only French credit cards (although some autoroute stations are starting to take foreign cards), although you can use most credit cards at the station kiosk if it is open.

Banking hours vary from town to town and depend on the location, size of branch, etc.  However, general banking hours are Monday through Friday: 9:00am – 5:30pm; some banks are open on Saturdays and certain evenings and many close for lunch.

Check with your bank to see if they have sister banks in France, because you can get reasonable exchange rates through using a bank ATM.  ATMs can be found all over cities, towns and in some large villages, and are generally marked with a sign of a hand holding a card above them.  This eliminates the need to find a place to change money, and the bother of travellers cheques.  Even if your bank doesn't have a sister bank, ATMs still often give the best exchange rates. Some banks may charge you a fee to withdraw from their ATMs.

Travellers cheques in Euros, although secure, are not universally accepted and you may need a trip to a bank or big town post office to cash them.