Money, Safety & eSIM in France
France's currency is the euro (€) — cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for small bakeries, markets, and public restroom fees. France is safe overall for tourists; violent crime against visitors is rare. The real, common risk is opportunistic pickpocketing and distraction scams (petition scams, friendship-bracelet scams, phone snatching) concentrated around major monuments and a handful of Paris Métro lines — not muggings or anything more serious.
The unglamorous questions that actually shape your trip: how to handle money day-to-day, what the real safety risks are (spoiler: mostly annoying, not dangerous), and how to stay connected without a shock roaming bill.
Money and cards
The euro (€) is the currency across all of France. Contactless card payment is standard and expected almost everywhere — cafés, taxis, small shops, even some street vendors. Still, carry €20–40 in cash for very small purchases, market stalls, and the occasional paid public restroom (typically 50 cents to €1). Notify your bank of travel dates if your card doesn't already work internationally without flagging, and use a card with no foreign-transaction fee if your bank offers one.
| Payment method | Where it works best |
|---|---|
| Contactless card | Nearly everywhere — cafés, restaurants, shops, taxis, transit |
| Cash (euros) | Markets, small bakeries, tipping, some public restrooms |
| Mobile payment (Apple Pay/Google Pay) | Widely accepted anywhere contactless card works |
Is France safe? The honest version
Yes, safe by any reasonable standard — violent crime against tourists is genuinely rare. The real risk is pickpocketing and distraction scams, concentrated around major monuments (the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur steps, the Louvre) and a few specific Paris Métro lines (Line 1 and Line 6 see the most reports, with Châtelet–Les Halles the single most-targeted station). Common tricks: a 'petition' clipboard distraction while an accomplice lifts your wallet, a 'free' friendship bracelet tied on before a demand for payment, and bag-slashing at outdoor café tables. None of it is violent — it relies entirely on distraction, so basic bag awareness (cross-body bag, zipped, not left open on a café chair) handles almost all of it.
eSIM and staying connected
eSIM is the easiest option if your phone supports it — Airalo, Holafly, and similar providers sell EU-wide data plans (covering France and most of your Schengen trip in one plan) from roughly €5–20 for 7–15 days, activated before you land. A physical SIM from Orange, SFR, or Free (sold at their stores or some airport kiosks) is a similarly priced alternative if you'd rather have a local number.
The 'pay in your own currency' trap at ATMs and card machines
When a French ATM or card terminal asks whether to be charged in euros or your home currency (USD, GBP, etc.), always choose euros. This 'convenience' option is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) — it lets the merchant or ATM operator set their own exchange rate rather than your card network's rate, and that rate is almost always worse, typically by 3–7%. It's especially common at airport ATMs and tourist-area card machines. Declining it (choosing 'charge in EUR') and letting your own bank or card network handle the conversion is reliably the cheaper option.
Tipping beyond restaurants — taxis, hotels, and tours
Restaurant tipping is covered in our food guide (service compris means it's already included), but a few other situations come up on a typical trip: taxis and rideshares don't expect a tip, though rounding up a euro or two for a helpful driver is a nice gesture; hotel porters typically get €1–2 per bag if they help with luggage; and tour guides on a paid group or private tour are commonly tipped €5–10 per person for a half-day, more for a full day, if the guide was genuinely good — none of this is obligatory the way US tipping culture is, but it's a normal, appreciated courtesy.
Everyday practical basics
- Tap water is safe to drink everywhere in France, including Paris — no need for bottled water, and asking for une carafe d'eau (a free jug of tap water) at a restaurant is completely normal.
- Many smaller shops and some restaurants close for a couple of hours in the early afternoon, especially outside major cities and on Sundays — plan errands accordingly.
- Emergency number: 112 works across the EU for police, fire, or medical emergencies and connects to an English-speaking operator in major cities.
Travel insurance
A standard travel insurance policy covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost luggage is worth having, though not required for entry. Non-EU visitors don't get free access to France's public healthcare system, so a policy with solid medical coverage matters more here than the entry paperwork does — check that it covers your planned activities (some regional adventure sports, like Alpine skiing off-piste, need an add-on).