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 to make purchases while you’re there.

Credit cards are accepted in most places in France. Here are some extra details 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 euros, especially if you’re not familiar with them.

• Many cards come with security features that can help if your card is lost or stolen.

• Some credit card issuers charge foreign transaction fees for purchases made abroad. Capital One doesn’t. View important rates and disclosures.

In general, credit cards are widely accepted in France and throughout Europe. Whether your card is accepted can depend on the payment network. Although having cash can come in handy, using credit cards in France may be a more convenient option.

Depending on the credit card, you might incur fees when making purchases abroad. Here’s a closer look at types of fees.

Some credit card issuers may charge a foreign transaction fee when you make a purchase outside the U.S. The fee is typically 1%-3% of the purchase amount. Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. View important rates and disclosures.

Credit card issuers can be charged currency conversion fees as part of an international transaction. These fees are typically about 1% of the 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. This service fee is typically charged by a merchant or ATM. And it gives people the option to convert the purchase price from euros to dollars directly at the payment terminal. It’s not necessary to do so, and you’ll typically have the option to decline it before 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 is 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 fraud liability for unauthorized charges.

• Rewards: Some credit cards—like cash back or travel credit cards—let you earn rewards on purchases you make abroad. If you’re a Capital One cardholder, you’ll earn rewards for booking your trip to France through Capital One Travel. Depending on your card, you can earn as much as 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

Credit cards are widely accepted and generally easy to use in France. Even so, having cash on hand could give you another option for things like transportation or purchases at local markets where credit cards might not be accepted.

Whether you’re strolling the streets of Paris or sunning in St. Tropez, you can make purchases with your credit card in France. That could be easier than dealing with euros, if you’re not familiar with them. And with the right card, you won’t pay foreign transaction fees, either.

Capital One offers travel rewards credit cards with exclusive benefits and elevated rewards that can help make your travel experience more enjoyable. View important rates and disclosures.  

• Explore travel rewards cards with unlimited miles you can actually use. 

• Earn a one-time 75,000-mile bonus and receive an additional 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary, with the Venture X card.

• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day, and earn a one-time 75,000-mile bonus with the Venture card. 

• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day with no annual fee with the VentureOne card.