I just stumbled accross an envelope I have been missing for a few years. In it is about $100 in Francs, lire, DM etc. Will European banks still take them in exchange for EU? I'll be in Paris shortly and would love to switch the bills.

Hi

Yes, you can still exchange the old currency for Euros at banks.

Slight correction to Ira's post. You may need to go to a National Bank of each country for that country's currency. For example most banks in France will not still exchange them, but the National Bank of France will.

Thanks Patrick. I meant to put "national" in there.

PS,

The French Embassy has this

"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.
The amount will be rounded at the lower 5EUR unit and a postal fee may be charged according to the amount and to the destination country.
Coins are not allowed."

But you should still be able to take coins (and notes) to a local branch of Banque de France (there are several in Paris - the main one is at 31 Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs 75001 Paris; open Mon-Fri 8.45-3.30) and exchange them for euro. Lire, DM etc. need to be taken to the national bank of each country.

You can just drop into any branch of the Banque de France to do this. I just did it last July with no problem -- they exchange both notes and coins and give you the official rate.

I went to the one right near the Bon Marche dept. store in the 7th arr.

thanks folks