Liberté, égalité, fraternité! That is all that matters. As you guessed, magnéfique France and payment options in France are in our limelight today. Let’s take a closer look at the country’s realities to comprehend life in France and glimpse the French daily routine.
“La Vie En Rose. It is the French way of saying, ‘I am looking at the world through rose-coloured glasses.” says Audrey Hepburn, iconic British actress and humanitarian.
Have you ever been to France? If yes, just like most of us, you are hypnotised by the country’s praise. Whether you have ever walked in Paris, you will see that Paris will ever walk in your memories. Looking at “Nike of Samothrace” at the top of Louvre’s marble stairs, wandering on Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe, drinking a cup of coffee behind the massive clock of the Musée d’Orsay’s cafeteria fronting the north side of the Seine River, unending vineyards of Bordeaux, taking a train in French Riviera and diving to the crystal waters of Saint-Tropez. Oh, là là! France should have been created at God’s leisure.
Officially the French Republic, France is located in Western Europe and historically and culturally plays an essential role in the world of the West. France is one of the world’s oldest nations and, most definitely, one of the impactful ones. The country’s citizens started a radical movement, The French Revolution, to overthrow the monarchical rule in 1789 and influenced modern ideologies like liberalism, communism, nationalism, and socialism. The world would never be the same again since then!
French culture has influenced the world in many ways, from its cuisine to art and science, especially anthropology, philosophy, and sociology. Some of the most famous French philosophers that changed the world are René Descartes, Jean-Paul Sartre, Peter Abelard, Michel de Montaigne, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, Simone de Beauvoir and Michel Foucault. These great mindsets propounded some of the most significant thoughts that changed the world.
France is the most visited country in the world, with over 89 million tourists coming yearly. Its capital city, Paris, is known worldwide as “the city of love” and is the home to the famous Eiffel Tower. Lovers from around the world visit Paris for one of the most romantic moments of their lives, the engagement proposal, and it is not unusual to see them everywhere around the tower. A fun fact about this majestic tower is that Tour Eiffel‘s lighting and sparkling lights are entirely copyrighted. That is why the building cannot be filmed while the lights are on, if not only for personal use.
Additionally, some of history’s most influential artists and designers are from France. Coco Chanel is a worldwide recognised fashion designer who created the luxury brand “Chanel”. Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior might be other names that pop up in our minds who are also famous for the trademarks named after themselves. These brands are considered some of the, if not most, the most prestigious and extravagant high-fashion brands in the world.
In addition to Parisian Haute Couture, France has always been a pioneer in the perfume industry. Contrary to popular belief, the French did not originate perfume, but they produced some of the most well-known fragrances in the world. As of today, the most amazing aromas in the world are still released by French brands like Guerlain, Chanel, Chloé, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Lancôme.
“How can anyone govern a nation with two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?” – Charles de Gaulle.
What about mouthwatering French cuisine? While producing some of the best and highest quality wines and cheese, French people also have dishes that might seem peculiar to most of the world. One example would be the snails! In France, over 25,000 tons of snails are eaten yearly, meaning a resident of France eats around 500 snails yearly. Snails are considered to be a delicacy, and they are often eaten during holidays and fancy dinners.
Although France is also a persuasive economic power in the world, unfortunately, about 12% of the French are considered to live in poverty. Life in big cities can be costly, while most job opportunities are also in the big cities. France is definitely an enchanting country, yet it is not so glamorous for working-class families.
Choosing Payment Methods in France
Preferred payment methods and practices in France are not so different from the rest of the European countries. The most popular payment option in France is bank cards, and cash is still in use. Let’s dive in to learn more about the different payment forms popular in France.
What are the Different Types of Payment Methods in France?
- Cash in France
According to the latest surveys, cash usage share stands at 39%. Therefore, cash still plays a major role in payments for French people for their small, daily purchases. France uses Euro, just like the other European Union countries. On-the-counter payments are widely accepted almost everywhere, and you can exchange your local currency for Euro or withdraw Euros directly from ATMs all over the country. If you are a tourist visiting France, you might want to keep cash on you for your smallish payments, especially for purchases from souvenir stores and tipping in restaurants.
- Credit Cards in France
Credit and debit cards are prevalent in France. Around 52% of French people prefer making payments using credit cards for online shopping. These plastic cards also provide convenience, especially if they are contactless cards. Many major international credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa and Maestro are accepted in France. Some spots also accept American Express.
Most cards in France are a Carte Bancaire (CB), the country’s national card system. Payments with Cartes Bancaires make up around 60% of household consumption in France, and there are approximately 71.1 million Cartes Bancaires issued cards today. Still, if you are a tourist travelling to France, you should have no concerns about using your international cards.
- Digital Wallets in France
Digital wallet usage in France is quite popular. Mobile payment methods in France are shifting towards digital wallets thanks to the convenience they bring. It might even be considered the best payment method online, and French people are definitely switching their way of payment when it comes to online transactions.
There are multiple popular digital wallet options for people residing in France, and they all offer slightly various benefits. If you are considering getting started with a digital wallet, we advise you to research and find the digital wallet that fulfils your needs best.
- Cryptocurrency in France
Cryptocurrency ownership in France is rapidly growing. Around 5.0% of French adults held cryptocurrency as of 2021, and the number seems to increase quickly with time. Cryptocurrency usage has spread across the world in recent years thanks to the many benefits it brings to people’s lives. It is allowed to sell, buy and trade crypto coins in France, and several trustworthy exchange sites are available.
France granted Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) registration in May 2022. The registration allows Binance to operate its cryptocurrency exchange in France. Mining cryptocurrencies is also permitted in France. Overall, we can say that France is a cryptocurrency-friendly nation.
Jeton Wallet in France
Bonjour La France! Vous êtes à la bonne place!
Salute to one of the most beautiful nations inspiring the world by all means for centuries. Our digital wallet, Jeton Wallet, has been in the French market for a long time, and we cannot be happier to expand our user portfolio day by day. We have learnt much about French consumer habits and concerns by cooperating with local payment options and leading French businesses. We have shaped our banking service in the light of our experience here.
Our company follows the principle of “Qui n’avance pas, recule”, “Who does not move forward, recedes” in French. Thus, here, you will find solutions for vibrant and ingenious online money transfers rather than traditional banking options at a snail’s pace.
Are you looking for alternative solutions rather than creating an account in one of the French banks? No worries! Jeton Wallet gets you. Opening a Jeton account is an online process that will take a few minutes and clicks. Then you can send and receive
You do not need to apply in person for a Jeton Wallet account! Through jeton.com, It will not take more than a couple of clicks and minutes to open a Jeton account. Plus, through your new EUR IBAN given to you, you can efficiently operate your money transfers overseas without salty transaction fees. The excellent news is transactions between Jeton users are entirely free of charge.
Have you met with our Visa-based debit card, Jeton Card? Featuring like any debit card, you can utilise your Jeton Card on any in-store and online shopping site. You can monitor all the movements and transaction history via Jeton App. So, you do not need to worry about safety!
Visit jeton.com today to meet our spotless payment services to level up your entire online experience! Together we are stronger than ever!
