Several people have asked me about the possibilty of changing money at banks in France.

All banks that I have been through throughout France no longer have bank tellers in the traditional sense. Most banks (I will NOT vouch for all), have a receptionist, and some officers that help answer questions. If you want to withdraw money or deposit money, you use the ATM's inside or outside the bank. No cashiers at any bank I went to, and I have several accounts there.
Any larger amounts that you need in cash have to be requested 1-3 days in advance, then they will provide you with a one time ATM card to use, again at the ATM.

Also, as a side note, most of the automatic machines that accept credit cards in France (ie: train stations, Metro and most importantly the Velibs (bike rentals) DO NOT accept american style credit cards. They only accept European style credit cards with the smart chip imbedded. Actually this is a godsend, since it makes life so much easier, no signatures required, etc.
One reason why alot of frequent travellers get european accounts.

Interesting information.

A related question would be, "What does a non-EU person need to do to open a bank account in France?" I used to have accounts in England and in the Netherlands, but I wonder how difficult it would be to re-establish them.

Opening an account in France is a lesson in buerocrasy, not very easy for a foreigner.
First they have to apply in person, and have a reason why they are opeing the account. Then they need a letter from their local bank back home (the letter has to be sent from the bank, not brought with you), stating that you have had the account for x years, and you are an honest customer in good standing. Then they send the paperwork for review, and later give you a decision, yes or no.
I was explained that the reaoning behind this, is that with certain French banks, all checking accounts are linked to automatic cash advance, whereupon you can overdraw the account up to ie: 5000 Euros. This is not a problem for French citizens who live there, since the Bank has recourse, but for foreigners, it makes things harder for the bank to recoup, if someone decides not to pay the cash advance. This is what seveal banks do here, (disclaimer)I am not sure all are the same.

There is a difference between going into the bank to withdraw money and using the ATM, which I could use with my American ATM card. I have a French account but no cards attached to it (why pay the annual fees for 5 weeks of use?) so if I want cash from that account, I walk in the bank and the person at the desk has a card that will allow the withdrawal from the ATM of any amount specified.

Please clarify as I have not been to France since June last year. Can I truly no longer use my American ATM card to access cash in French ATM's? I am on my way to Paris in 3 weeks. This information will make a difference on my plans to access cash from my accounts.

&quot;<i>Please clarify as I have not been to France since June last year. Can I truly no longer use my American ATM card to access cash in French ATM's?</i>&quot;

Nothing above says that - they are talking about getting cash over the counter inside a bank. US-issued cards work just fine in French ATMs.

&gt; most of the automatic machines that accept credit cards in France (ie: train stations, Metro and most importantly the Velibs (bike rentals)..&lt;

I would change &quot;most&quot; to &quot;many&quot;

You can use US CCs in metro machines - sometimes.

There is a way to get a card that the Velib machines will accept using a US CC, but I don't remember how.

Keep in mind that nearly all gas stations are not staffed on Sundays. The pumps will take chip and pin cards only.

Yes, I did not want to give the impression that you can not use your CC there, but slowly everything is changing to the smart chip cards, much better than our magnetic stripe cards. For a country that has been on the forefront of Technological advancement, we seem to be taking a back seat to a whole lot of other countries in implementing tech advances. Most of this probably attribitable to our law system and lawyers here. Can you imagine the Velibs in California. The first accident would be a major lawsuit (what no warning labels, no free helmets...)

The ATMs accept typical American debit cards with no problem. It is automated dispensers for other services (train tickets, gasoline) where one may run into a problem with not having the chip/pin card type. In that case, you have to see a human to pay.

bookmarking

thanks for the important information

M

Many bank branches still have proper tellers. At least at my bank. Very few have currency exchange counters and I've noticed that La Poste, which used to have lots of currency exchange counters, does not anymore.

Intex, in my experience you have to apply for an overdraft and they usually only grant them on the account where your paycheck is deposited. I understand that the bureaucracy originates at a higher level than the banks themselves, though they must have loosened things up for other EU citizens.

I live in Washington DC and we have a Velib-type bike system here, I think it's the first in the US (it started last summer). It's not as extensive as the Paris one yet, with only ten stations in downtown DC mainly, but it's a start. They don't provide locks or helmets, but you aren't provided that if you buy a bike, either.

It's actually very cheap but it isn't geared to tourists. It's very cheap, though, only $40 for a yearly subscription, but no hourly charge at all. You can use a bike as much as you want all year for that $40, except you have to return it within 24 hours when you get one. So you pay your $40 and get an annual card that you use in the docking stations for the bike.

Big spenders should know that banks like Axa Banque refund the annual card fee if you spend enough money.

But of course big spenders don't need to worry about annual card fees.