Money and Payments in France: Cards, Cash and Small Expenses on the Road
In most situations on our trip we could pay with a ticket, but a few small coins would save us from tampering. At the Saut du Loup Falls, for example, the entry machine received only one euro coin, and we used a nearby store. On the other hand, in the public services Buzz paid for a small amount of credit as well.

In most situations on our trip we could have paid with a ticket, but a few small coins would have saved us from tampering.Saut du Loup Falls For example, the entry machine received only one euro coin, and we used a nearby store. On the other hand, in the public toilet Buzz we paid on credit for a small amount as well.
Therefore, it is worth going out with a ticket for the regular payments, a little cash and a few coins. Before the trip, it is also worth getting to know the ticket fees, to know how much each transaction in the euro will cost you.

What currency do you pay?
In France, and all the places we have traveled in the Riviera and villages, pay in Euro, EUR. Before travelling, it is worth checking your ticket's fees for foreign currency and cash withdrawal. The gateway that appears in an online search is not necessarily the gateway to which you will be charged in practice.
To understand how much you have paid in shekels, you need to connect two things: the conversion rate and the ticket fee. Therefore, the same amount in euros may appear as a different charge for two travelers with different tickets. In large expenses, such as a hotel and a car, this difference can already be felt.
Euros or shekels at the terminal?
Sometimes the payment terminal or ATM offers to charge you with shekels. In such a case, the conversion is made at the business or ATM operator, and may include an additional cost. It is usually better to choose a charge at the euro, but it is worth knowing your ticket fee. A sum presented in shekels is easier to understand, but not necessarily more worthwhile.
Check the operator's fee on the screen before approving it as well. It may be added to the bank's or card's fee. There is no need to withdraw a large amount just because you are abroad; it is better to adjust the cash to the nature of the trip.
The small coins of the trip
In markets, parking lots and small observation sites, there may be different payment requirements. With us, the entrance to the falls cost Euros in coins, and the bathroom buzz cost half Euros.



It is worth keeping a few coins in an accessible place, as not every business will be able to cash in. An extra card can help in the event of a malfunction, and it is recommended not to keep all payment methods in the same wallet.
Food, Water and Tips
A meal at a restaurant is not the only option to enjoy food on the trip. In Monaco we bought bread, bars and vegetables at the supermarket, and we were very pleased. In the markets we enjoyed tasting, and in hotels we chose good breakfasts that helped to start the day without immediately looking for a place to eat.
In France a tip is for the customer's choice, and the service, when charged, is included in the price displayed. There is no need to automatically add a fixed percentage as is customary elsewhere.
At the restaurant, you can request a pitcher of drinking water instead of bottled mineral water; the official rules specify the right to free drinking water for customers. In the area, drink only from a drinking fountain, not a decorative fountain.Customer Rights in Restaurants.
What to look for in the price of the hotel and car?
In choosing a hotel it is also worthwhile to consider breakfast, parking and local taxes. We are on ibis Nice Centre Gare In Nice and Le Floréal In Evans, the proximity of the hotel in Nice to the station allowed us to take public transport for the first two days. In Evans, we parked in the nearby city parking lot, which was free of charge between 7:00 and 9:00 at the time of the visit, thus saving the 12 euros for the night the hotel parking rose.
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It is also worthwhile to calculate the total cost: fuel, tolls, additional driver and coverage conditions, alongside the deposit and deductible. The preparations were concentrated in Driving guide in France A hotel close to the station or a car days waiver in the city may save more than a small discount on room or rental price.
To continue planning:The route in Riviera And The Electricity and Charging Guide.