Can I use my credit card in France?

Romantic Paris. Fragrant Grasse. Historic Loire. Beachy Corsica. No wonder France is a top tourist destination. But before you pack your bags, you may be wondering how you can make purchases while you’re there.

Credit cards are accepted in most places in France. Here are some extra details it might help to know before you leave.

What you’ll learn:

• Credit cards are widely accepted in France.
• Using a credit card can be easier than handling unfamiliar euros. 
• Many cards come with security features that can help you if the card is lost or stolen.
• Some credit card issuers charge foreign transaction fees or purchases abroad. Capital One doesn’t. View important rates and disclosures.

In general, credit cards are widely accepted in France. Most places accept cards that are part of the Visa® and Mastercard® payment networks.

In some situations, using a credit card abroad can incur fees. A foreign transaction fee can be charged by credit card issuers anytime you make a purchase. It’s typically 1%-3% of the transaction amount. Capital One doesn’t charge this fee. View important rates and disclosures.

Currency conversion fees are charged to the card issuer by the debit, credit or ATM network when converting euros to dollars. These fees are typically 1% of the total purchase price. Capital One doesn’t pass on currency conversion fees to its cardholders. View important rates and disclosures.

Another type of currency conversion is dynamic currency conversion (DCC). This service, which is typically charged by the merchant or ATM, gives you an option to convert the price from euros to dollars directly at the payment terminal. But it’s not necessary and, thankfully, you can typically decline it when completing your purchase. 

There are some advantages to using your credit card when traveling in France, including:

• Simplified payments: Using a credit card means you don’t have to worry about converting your U.S. dollars to euros when you’re traveling internationally.
• Security: Many credit cards come with ways to help you keep your money safe. For example, if your Capital One card gets lost or stolen, you can use the Capital One Mobile app to lock your card and prevent others from using it. Plus, Capital One offers $0 liability for unauthorized charges if your card is stolen.
• Rewards: Certain credit cards—like cash back or travel credit cards—let you earn rewards on purchases abroad.

Credit cards are widely accepted and easy to use in France. Having some cash on hand can give you another option in case you need it.

Whether you’re strolling the streets of Paris or sunning in St. Tropez, you can make purchases with your credit card in France. It can be easier than dealing with unfamiliar euros. And with the right card, you can bypass foreign transaction fees too. You might want to consider comparing Capital One travel credit cards.

If you’re planning a trip, you could book through Capital One Travel. The site helps cardholders book confidently by sorting thousands of options to find Capital One’s best prices on flights, hotels and car rentals.* Plus, eligible cardholders can earn extra rewards when booking through Capital One Travel.