French Francs
 

I think I'm having a senior moment, but I can't remember whether my old French Franc coins have any value. My recollection is that when the Euro came into use several years ago, you had a certain amount of time to exchange Francs for Euro's. Is that time long past? I'm going to be in France next month and was wondering if I should bring my bag of Francs.

John

Nope, they're nothing more than collectors items now...

I believe you can still exchange the paper bills at certain major banks, but not the coins. I've found a small fortune in Deutsche Marks under the car seat, behind the dresser, etc. and they're not exchangable now. At least my preschooler thinks he's rich!

I believe you can still exchange them at the central bank, the Bank of France.

From the French government web site, 'Vous pourrez échanger gratuitement au Trésor Public ou à la Banque de France vos pièces en francs pendant 3 ans (jusqu'au 17 février 2005) et vos billets en francs pendant 10 ans (jusqu'au 17 février 2012)'.

So bring your bag of francs and drop into la Banque de France.

I changed some bills last summer in Paris at the Bank of France.

I exchanged some francs last summer at a post office in Paris.

dear sardog,
of course, it's the same with German DM coins and bills: the Landesbank still changes them. (Plus there are a couple of stores that will still accept them.)

We exchanged some Francs at a place on rue Duphot, just a block from the Madeline metro. Can't recall the rate; I suppose the Bank rate would be better. On an earlier trip we went to the bank as well; there were waiting lines and forms to fill out. Took about half an hour, not counting the cab ride to get there. JP

I just exchanged both franc bills and coins in Paris last month. The Banque de France accepts both. There are various branches around the city, I used the one right near Bon Marche which is very convenient. Just get out at the Sevres Babylone metro stop and then I think it's about a block away on bd Raspail.