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How France’s ‘back to school’ grant works and the amounts for 2025
The aid is means-tested and will increase by 1.7% this year
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Which UK banks allow residents in France to open or keep an account?
Some banks have been willing to keep on long-standing customers who have moved to France
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Why taxpayers in France may no longer be able to pay by cheque
Plans to phase out payment method is being considered
Do French shops still accept cash?
We are travelling to France soon. Is cash welcomed, or does everywhere prefer contactless payments as in the UK?

There has been a huge increase in the use of contactless payments in France, to the point that people buying a loaf of bread in the bakers often use it.
Most of these transactions are by card: for various reasons France is behind some other parts of the world in the use of mobile phone contactless payments, and people trying to use mobile phones in this way sometimes find they do not work.
But shops also still take cash, as they are obliged to by law. Most now use a system of trays for the cash to be handed over in an attempt to reduce contact and keep a distance between the shop keeper and client.
The use of cheques is declining but still common, especially in rural areas.
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