France uses the Euro as does Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

As a rule, the Euro is worth somewhere between the Australian or New Zealand Dollar and the British Pound.

Notes are in denominations of €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, €5 while coins are in denominations of €2, €1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and 1c.

Credit cards - most businesses that tourists will use in France will accept Mastercard and Visa. Many will not accept American Express.

A credit card is essential for booking things like car hire, flights and hotels.

Many smaller businesses like B&Bs or country restaurants only take cash however.

Travellers cheques are virtually obsolete. You can use your Australian or New Zealand bank ATM card in any ATM in France as long as it is part of the Cirrus system.  Most ATMs in France are signed up to Cirrus. Put your card in, choose your language and follow the prompts. The currency conversion is usually done within 24 hours. If you have internet banking you can keep a fairly good track on your spending. Tips on money: Prepaid Cash Passport Cards have largely replaced travellers cheques. It essentially involves purchasing a an ATM card loaded with the currency of your choice prior to leaving home. The card can be used in most ATMs to withdraw local currency. If you dont use it all then you can be refunded the balance on your return. Do less ATM withdrawals of more money. You will be charged a flat rate per withdrawl regardless of the amount. This can add up. Take a variety of money options: credit card(s), a small amount of local currency, bank ATM card (if Cirrus enabled), a cash passport card. Do not keep all money options together. Get internet banking if you havent already. Check your balance, pay bills, transfer money etc. Major French Banks below: Tipping in France  Bills in bars and restaurants are required by law to include service, but it is customary to round out your bill with some small change unless you're dissatisfied. The amount varies — from around €0.30 for a beer or around €2.00 after a meal. In expensive restaurants, it's common to leave an additional 5% of the bill on the table. Tip taxi drivers and hairdressers about 10% of the bill. Toilet attendants usually get €0.50, though the sum is often posted. If you stay several nights in the same hotel it is customary to leave something for the chambermaid — about €2.00 per day.