Just back from Paris-a few problems
 

Hi everyone- just returned from Paris last night...a few problems I ran into: <BR> <BR>The people who fill the ATM's with cash are on strike! No one can get any cash from the ATM's! <BR>The Orangerie Museum has been closed since January and will be for several months. <BR>The Musee d'Orsay was closed for "technical problems". <BR> <BR>Otherwise it was the most fabulous place I ever visited. Have fun!

April, welcome back. We've been watching this ATM thing pretty closely here. So, how did you get your hands on some Francs? Any problems with merchants running out of change? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

Thanks Brian- <BR> <BR>Actually, I never did get more Francs. I started using my credit card everywhere! Once I realized that I couldn't get any more cash I divided the amount of cash I had with the number of days left on the trip and I didn't go over that amount no matter what. It frightened me at first, but you really can use your credit card almost everywhere (except Versaille). I ended up leaving the country with .70 cents! The only thing I regretted was not being able to tip our hotel maid who was fabulous! As far as the merchants go, I only had one experience where the only bill I had left was a $200 franc note and I was paying for $32 francs, she was a little upset about giving change...but what could I do, she wouldn't take a credit card and that was all I had!! One more thing, I asked my hotel if they would charge an amount to my credit card and give me the cash, they said they would do that for about $200 francs...not much but it was cab fare to the airport!

I was in Paris earlier this week and sometimes I had to go to three or four ATM's to find money, since they are everywhere it was not a real problem. However, if you get 500 franc notes, take them to a bank and exchange them for smaller francs. There has been a rash of counterfit 500 franc notes, and some merchants will not take them.

I am leaving next week for Europe and will be in Paris by June 4th. How much in francs do you suggest I get from my bank here and take with me? Also should I get FF traveller's checks also and if yes...how much?

Myrtle- Once I realized I couldn't get any more Francs I had to ration my money to 300 Francs a day. That was fine to get around on the Metro, buy things from street vendors, cold drinks, small gifts, etc. and I used my credit card for everything else. P.S. when you get there I strongly recommend buying the Museum Pass - this gave access to most major sites and museums and saved a ton of time that would have been wasted standing in line with a million tourists buying tickets to enter each site. Have fun!

April, where did you stay? I take it from your converstion that there were no problems with using credit cards. Was there any word about how long the strike was expected to last? <BR> <BR>Did the Musee d'Orsay reopen while you were there? We're going in July and that was high on my list. Thanks. Glad you had a good time.