Where to find the best exchange rate in France: everything you need to know to save money

Getting the best exchange rate is essential for making the most of your international transactions — whether you’re transferring money abroad, paying overseas, or simply exchanging currencies. But what actually defines a good exchange rate? Where can you find it? And how can you save money when exchanging currency? Here’s a complete overview.

Alternatively, you could use a provider like Wise, which offers the mid-market rate! With its account and debit card, you can make international transfers and payments abroad while benefiting from an exchange rate without hidden markups. Perfect for saving money on all your foreign currency transactions.

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What is a good exchange rate?

An exchange rate is considered advantageous when it’s as close as possible to the mid-market rate. This benchmark rate is the one used by banks to exchange currencies among themselves on the interbank market. Some people refer to it as the “real” rate because it’s set naturally by the market and doesn’t include any markups added by exchange service providers.

Few banks or providers use this rate when converting currencies for you. Most apply a marked-up rate, which can include significant — and sometimes hidden — fees.

To benefit from the mid-market rate and full transparency in your currency exchanges, consider using a provider like Wise.

Where to get the best exchange rate in France?

Finding the best exchange rate depends on several factors — including the currency you need, the amount, your location, and the type of transaction.

Getting the best exchange rate for your transfers

Planning to send money abroad? You have several options:

• Traditional and online banks
• Money transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram
• Other financial operators like Wise and Revolut

While banks are often the go-to choice, they’re not always the most cost-effective. Most banks in France and around the world apply a marked-up exchange rate and add various fees.

This also applies to money transfer services such as Western Union. For instance, for a €1,000 transfer to a Moroccan dirham account (simulated on September 2, 2025), Western Union shows €0.00 in fees, but the rate is marked up: €1.00 = 10.3488 MAD instead of the mid-market rate of €1.00 = 10.52 MAD.¹

Other, more transparent financial institutions offer fairer options. For example, Wise applies the mid-market exchange rate (no markup) on all foreign currency transactions. This means you could save significantly on exchange fees, whether you’re making a transfer, payment, or withdrawal abroad.

These kinds of hidden fees aren’t limited to transfer services — they also apply to exchange offices and other providers. That’s why it’s crucial to use a transfer comparison tool or a currency converter before exchanging your money.

How to get the best exchange rate if you need cash?

If you’re traveling to a country that doesn’t use the euro, you’ll likely need cash in the local currency. You can use:

• Banks
• Currency exchange bureaus
• Local ATMs for cash withdrawals

If you prefer to exchange your money before your trip, you’ll need to go through a bank or currency exchange bureau. However, expect high exchange fees and marked-up rates in most cases.

If you’re exchanging money in France before your departure, compare the exchange rates offered by different bureaus. Check the mid-market rate online and see how it compares — the closer the two are, the better the deal.

If you’d rather wait until you arrive, withdrawing cash in local currency with a multi-currency card or paying directly by card could be much cheaper.

Generally, paying with your bank card abroad is cheaper than withdrawing cash. So, try to pay by card whenever possible and only withdraw when necessary.

You can use your French bank card abroad, but check with your bank to confirm the fees and exchange rate first. Otherwise, you might end up paying more than expected.

To get a better exchange rate — for payments or withdrawals abroad — consider using a multi-currency card. These are designed to handle multiple currencies easily and help you save on exchange costs.

Open a Wise account and use its multi-currency card to save on exchange fees

Wise offers an account and debit card optimized for international use. You’ll pay minimal fees, and the exchange rate applied is always the mid-market rate, with no hidden markups.

Travel often? Use your Wise card to pay without conversion fees if you hold the transaction currency in your account — available in 150+ countries.

Withdrawals are free up to €200 and two withdrawals per month. Beyond that, you’ll only pay 1.75% + €0.5 per transaction.

Opening an account is free, with no subscription required. You’ll only pay €7 for card delivery.

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Last verified on September 2, 2025.

This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.