Trip to France

For years just went away with whatever cash was left from last trip, whether it €20 or €200 and mainly used card and got a bit of cash from ATM if needed.

Last year, in Germany mainly, came across loads of places like cafes, bakers, even campsites that only took cash. Was a bit of a shock how many places only took cash after years of mainly using card.
Yet to come across a fuel station that won't take a card though.
 
Liz has a Virgin money card no charges, so she pays on that and I reimburse her as I'm paying for the fuel.

She's thinking of taking £1k & me £500 I'm sure/hope that is too much, I have it in my mind that should we need assistance from a mechanic/garage a € goes a lot further than plastic will in some instances.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Liz has a Virgin money card no charges, so she pays on that and I reimburse her as I'm paying for the fuel.

She's thinking of taking £1k & me £500 I'm sure/hope that is too much, I have it in my mind that should we need assistance from a mechanic/garage a € goes a lot further than plastic will in some instances.
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Why so much if you have a card you can use ATM with no charges?

Only time I've taken extra cash for recovery/mechanic is Morocco, where at the time it would cost around 500 to get recovery from the desert to Spain. That's 500 £'s, €'s or $'s, but not Dirhams.
 
mark61 said:
Don't knock all the autoroute service aires. I've slept in them plenty times, some have a separate area away from HGV's.
Now camping car aires I avoid, unless in the middle of nowhere.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/d8LExpCsAH1jymmm8
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Just another idea that we employ. We always choose and Aire on the autoroute that does not have fuel stations. They tend to be a lot quieter. (Assuming you dont need fuel)
 
mark61 said:
Why so much if you have a card you can use ATM with no charges?

Only time I've taken extra cash for recovery/mechanic is Morocco, where at the time it would cost around 500 to get recovery from the desert to Spain. That's 500 £'s, €'s or $'s, but not Dirhams.
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Best not to argue with Liz Mark, small shops in small towns might prefer cash, we'll be doing bricants etc too, we like a bargain and I imagine cash is also king in France.
 
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Pudsey Bear said:
Liz has a Virgin money card no charges, so she pays on that and I reimburse her as I'm paying for the fuel.

She's thinking of taking £1k & me £500 I'm sure/hope that is too much, I have it in my mind that should we need assistance from a mechanic/garage a € goes a lot further than plastic will in some instances.
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Pretty much everywhere in France takes cards Kev like here. I wouldn't carry more than fifty Euros in cash myself. In fact there was a running joke on my last trip that the last two months I had just six euros in my wallet and still had it at Dover. 🤣
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Best not to argue Mark, small shops in small towns might prefer cash, we'll be doing bricants etc too, we like a bargain and I imagine cash is also king in France.
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We usually have a grand in the safe and I have a Halifax credit card that doesn't charge when abroad. Do, however, make sure that you have some low denomination euros or you may, like us, end up with half a hundredweight of shrapnel 'cos village shops love to unload all their 1s & 2s on poor unsuspecting visitors.
But what the heck, you can always weigh them in when you get home. Anyway just get out there and have a great time and if you do need some small change, just nip over the Snake and we'll be happy to donate to your travelling funds
 
barryd said:
Halifax Clarity Credit card was always the weapon of choice. Best exchange rate and no interest charged if you pay it off each month. I hardly ever used cash in France except at some markets etc.
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You can (could?) also draw cash without charge at many atms providing you replaced it by electronic banking same /next day.
 
jacquigem said:
You can (could?) also draw cash without charge at many atms providing you replaced it by electronic banking same /next day.
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Yep. I used to do that but I dont think I replaced it in the same day. It was always a pretty good rate anyway I think. Don't remember if there were any charges or not. Way better than carrying large amounts of cash about I think and your likely getting a much better rate than whoever you buy Euros from here in the UK.
 
oppy said:
We usually have a grand in the safe and I have a Halifax credit card that doesn't charge when abroad. Do, however, make sure that you have some low denomination euros or you may, like us, end up with half a hundredweight of shrapnel 'cos village shops love to unload all their 1s & 2s on poor unsuspecting visitors.
But what the heck, you can always weigh them in when you get home. Anyway just get out there and have a great time and if you do need some small change, just nip over the Snake and we'll be happy to donate to your travelling funds
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Might have a handful of Francs laying about I can donate. Someone will want them :LOL:
Might have some CFA's too, always worth a try.
 
lindi said:
You can get a pair of UK stickers on Amazon, they fit neatly over the GB on your number plates.
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Thanks Lindi :) :)

I bought those about the same time I started this thread along with a Crit Air sticker and triangles, Hi Vis etc.
 
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