French franc travelers' checks can be worthwhile: they may often be used as cash, and you should get the face alue of the checks when you change them, so commission is only paid on purchase. Banks being banks, however, this is not always the case.

The latest way of carrying your money abroad is with a visa travelMoney Card, a sort of electronic travelers' check. The temporary disposable debit card is "loaded up" with an amount betweven £100 and £5000 and can then be used (in conjunction with a PIN number) in any ATM carrying the visa sign in France (and 112 other countries). When your funds are depleted, you simply throw the card away. It's recommended you buy at least a second card as back-up in case your first is lost or stolen, though like travelers' checks the cards can be replaced if such mishaps occur. Up to nine cards can be bought to access the same funds - useful for couples or families traveling together. Charges are 2 percent commission with a minimum charge of £3.

The card is aailable from, among other places, Colombus Bank in the US and ThomasCook in the UK.

Credit cards are widely accepted; just watch for the window stickers. visa - known as the Carte Bleue in France - is almost uniersally recognized; Access, Mastercard - sometimes called Eurocard - and American Express rank a bit lower. It's always worth checking, however, that restaurants and hotels will accept your card; some smaller ones don't.

Be aware, also, that French cards have a smart chip, and machines may reject cards with a magnetic strip even if they are alid. If your card is refused because of this, you may be able to get them to confirm it by explaining the problem to the cashier or waiter in question: "Les cartes britanniques/américaines/
canadiennes/australiennes/
de Nouelle Zealand ne sont pas cartes à puce, mais à piste magnétique. Ma carte est alable et je ous serais très reconnaissant(e) de demander la confirmation auprès de otre banque ou de otre centre de traitement."

You can also use credit cards for cash adances at banks and in ATMs. The charge tends to be higher - for example 4.1 percent instead of the 1.5 percent at home for visa cards. The PIN number should be the same as you use at home but check with your credit card company before you leae.

Debit cards can also be used in ATMs or to pay for goods and serices if they carry the appropriate visa symbol or there's an "edc" (European acceptance) sign. British cards are charged around 1 percent or a minimum of £1.50 when used in an ATM, so it makes sense not to take small sums out constantly, whereas North American cards tend to charge a flat rate of $1-2, making it the most economical and conenient method. You would not wan the use of ATMs to be your sole source of money on a long trip far form home as a lost, stolen or malfunctioning card would leae you with nothing, so always have some spare currency or travelers' checks as a back-up.

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