where in Paris takes cash only?
 

Hi all,

I do already have some cash ordered to take with me from USA. Was wondering where in Paris takes cash only?

Thanks in advance,
SB

Don't know of any business that would refuse cash. Do you mean hotels, or restaurants or what?6

A lot of places take cash only for purchases under 7 or sometimes 15 euros. This is not the case for places like supermarkets or most chain stores like Monoprix, which will take a card of any purchase over 1 euro.

I agree with Rubicund, why wouldn't a place take cash? I presume you are talking about euro cash, not USD. They might not take real large bills, though, I've known a few stores that won't take large euro notes, they are afraid they are counterfeit. Like 100 euro or more, perhaps.

What are you really asking, I suspect we don't understand why you think any place wouldn't take cash.

I believe the question is the opposite, do some businesses not take credit cards.

My reading: Places that accept only cash, no plastic or travel cheques. Don't know the answer.
Paying with cash rather than credit cards, etc., makes economic sense for foreigners on all purchases except very large amounts.

I wouldn't order Euros in the US. You'll get a not-so-good exchange rate and pay a service charge as well. I assume you are trying to figure out how much cash to order. I'd suggest you not order any cash and use ATMs instead. This is assuming you have a bank that has reasonable ATM charges.

We spent very little cash in Paris. We were there for 10 days, we each took 140 E out of the ATM when we arrived, and we came home with 145 E between us. We put most things on credit cards, as we have cards that don't charge a foreign exchange premium.

There are thousands of shops and restaurants in Paris. Are you looking for a list of places that do not take credit cards?

Unfortunately you already have cash you pre-purchased . . . so the is water under the bridge. Just HOW much € cash did you buy?

I honestly don't understand why you are asking what places only take cash -- unless you bought thousands of € (I certainly hope not), sometimes you'll use cash, and sometimes credit cards. No need to seek out cash-only merchants.

Apparently you ignored the advice in your previous post?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-france.cfm

~Liz

Street market vendors may take cash only.

Carrying around large amounts of cash is foolish for a couple of reasons:

Safety (of the money)

You will have received a very poor rate of exchange (thrown 8% or more of your money out the window)

And third, why?

Walk up tours (such as Paris Walks) is cash only.

Church collection boxes are cash only.

Chez Omar at 47 Rue de Bretagne in the 3rd does not accept credit cards. But there is an ATM just across the street and several more within a block or two, so their acceptance policy should not deter you from sampling their famous couscous.

I did eventually order 200 euros through my bank waiving the shipping fee. I think it is more than enough. I was advised to take some from US so that if an ATM is not available right away I can use it.


I just wanted to know which places do not take credit cards so I plan accordingly ahead of time.


Thanks,
SB

Rather than buying Euros, or any foreign currency, I take a few hundred dollars along so I have it to change if I have a problem with ATMs. But I never do and always bring the cash home with me.

Buying Euros outside Europe isn't a bad thing to do, it's just a relatively expensive thing to do and you will have the advantage of not needing to hunt down an ATM at the airport on arrival. So it's a perfectly logical thing to do for a small amount, as you've done.

<i>Paying with cash rather than credit cards, etc., makes economic sense for foreigners on all purchases except very large amounts.</i>

No it doesn't, in some cases you get better effective exchange rates (including rates & charges) than using cash withdrawn from an ATM, changed at a money changer or obtained from your bank at home

You need to do the maths - about the only thing that is certain (well nearly certain) is that withdrawing or changing small amounts is a poor idea as then any fixed charges for exchange drive the effective rate downwards

"Paying with cash rather than credit cards, etc., makes economic sense for foreigners on all purchases except very large amounts."

Not in many cases - nor for most anyone who never carries a balance. I charge hundreds of $$ every month on several credit cards but not any fees or interest. For me cash or credit card makes virtually no difference.

ssbbaa77: Since now we know you are only talking about €200 don't even consider cash/credit card. €200 is a pretty insignificant amount - you won't have to seek out specific places to use cash. Just be glad you didn't buy more €€€

Some places I have used cash: buying a carnet at a Tabac, buying a single coffee in a cafe, buying a baguette in a bakery, buying small items at Djerba shops, buying groceries at Monoprix when it is busy, taking a taxi from station to apartment.

I think that covers it