If you have an existing credit card before moving to France, it may be well worth retaining, as credit cards do not really exist in France. Some larger retailers offer a store card (carte privative) for use in their shops - these have a defined credit limit, and require monthly payments.

Visa and Mastercard are the major credit cards accepted by most large businesses in France but always check before you run up a bill!

Basically, all French bank cards are debit cards, where purchases are debited immediately from your account, and they are all known as 'blue cards' (cartes bleues).

To report lost or stolen credit cards in France call the relevant number from the list below:

American Express - 01 47 77 72 00
Carte Bleue Visa and Eurocard/Mastercard - 08 92 69 08 80 (24 hrs)
Diners Club - 01 49 06 17 50

Submitted 10/5/07 by Debbie - "The information you have here about credit cards is wrong. They do exist in France. Check out www.confinoga.fr or sofinoga or banque accord etc."