Euros or ATM'S

Hi

We are spending a couple of days in Paris than 10 more days in the Provence, everyone says don%26#39;t carry alot of euro%26#39;s but get what you need at the atm%26#39;s located all over Paris, Are there lots of atm machines located in Provence, and the southern region of France? I want to make sure I have $$$ and not caught short.

Thanks in advanced

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ATMs are easy to find in bigger cities. In tiny little hamlets along tertiary roads, you%26#39;re probably out of luck.

Why not use a credit card, whenever you can, so that you%26#39;re not so dependent on cash? Just make arrangements with the bank so that the card gets paid off automatically on time, so that if you%26#39;re out-of-town when the bill is due, you%26#39;ll have no worries about balances and charges. If you have time, you%26#39;ll want to find a good credit card, with a low foreign transaction fee of about 1% or less. Credit Unions usually have these. Most other cards charge 3+%.

Maybe a debit card works, but I%26#39;m not sure. I%26#39;ve used a debit card only once in my life but don%26#39;t know anything else about them.

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ATM%26#39;s are the most convenient way to get cash since even in the smaller villages tthroughout Provence there is almost always at least one bank with an ATM - and, if you use banks within your home bank%26#39;s network there will probably be no fee for the transaction. Let your bank know that you will be in France so they do not think that your card has been stolen and check with them as to whether there is a maximum withdrawal amount allowed per 24 hours.

Of course you can use you credit cards for purchases, but be advised that many shops and restaurants do not accept AMEX. Also, you should keep in mind that there is sometimes a rather hefty charge by some US banks for these types of charges.

Hope this input is useful.

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Most large supermarkets have ATMs. Best advice os to find out what the maximum withdrawal is and do it when necessary.

This will keep the fees as low as possible

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Hi

Just a word of warning. If you are staying in chambre d%26#39;hotes, many of us do not accept credit cards.

The others are quite right. There are ATM machines everywhere here, even in the villages so you can always draw out money if you need it Just make sure you check your daily limits with your bank before you leave, usually they are around 300 - 350 euros/ day.

Have a great trip

ESCARGOT

Les Carmes

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Hello

Thanks to everyone who answered this question, there are 6 of us traveling together, so with your imput it really helped us. We leave March 12 for our trip and we are sooo excited.

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