Cash or card?

[Red9zero]

Anyone know if Le Mans/France has gone as cashless as we seem to be over here ? I haven't been for the last two years, but I used to take a load of Euro's and mainly pay with them. Nowadays though, I pay for 99% of stuff by card or app and rarely have any actual cash on me.

[Ice_blue_tvr]

I was wondering similar. I have no plans to take out euros before I travel!

[Red9zero]

I've still got about 40 euros sat in a drawer from my last visit, so I'm hoping that will do me for cash.

[jsat_100]

Yes, pretty similar to here really. Even at the circuit last year it was all card payments at the bars etc.

[Red9zero]

jsat_100 said:

Yes, pretty similar to here really. Even at the circuit last year it was all card payments at the bars etc.

Perfect. Thanks.

[Artic]

Glad someone started this thread as it's been a topic with my group. We are normally cash merchants as our Le Mans account charges foreign transaction fees. Does anyone know if cash is complete off limits at the bars? Not sure if anyone here was at the recent motorcycle 24 hr who could advise. Ta

[NoBrakesWC]

3 of us going each taking cash

[//j17]

Can't comment on Le Mans specifically but having been skiing in the French alps across multiple resorts that's gone from maybe 1/3 of places being cash only to only 1 place left that I can think of.

Based on that I'd expect you'll be able to use a card in most places at Le Mans.

[leyorkie]

Contactless is virtually everywhere after the last 2 years in shops and bars no problems.
However the limit here is I believe 50€ but you just have to use your PIN.
Not sure about kiosks at the circuit, waiting for a card reader to connect over a mobile network may slow things down in the pop up bars.
Worth having some cash just in case though.

[Output Flange]

Artic said:

Glad someone started this thread as it's been a topic with my group. We are normally cash merchants as our Le Mans account charges foreign transaction fees. Does anyone know if cash is complete off limits at the bars? Not sure if anyone here was at the recent motorcycle 24 hr who could advise. Ta

I'm trying to think back to last year, and I think they did still take cash. That said, if you open a Chase account, that doesn't have any fees for using the card abroad, so might be a useful option.

[cn7k7]

Output Flange said:

Artic said:

Glad someone started this thread as it's been a topic with my group. We are normally cash merchants as our Le Mans account charges foreign transaction fees. Does anyone know if cash is complete off limits at the bars? Not sure if anyone here was at the recent motorcycle 24 hr who could advise. Ta

I'm trying to think back to last year, and I think they did still take cash. That said, if you open a Chase account, that doesn't have any fees for using the card abroad, so might be a useful option.

I use a Revolut account when abroad, no transaction fees and the exchange rate is charged at near on ‘day rate’, that made a hell of a saving when filling the car up compared to the guys I was travelling with and nine of those annoying transaction fees. Easy to open and I also think the other online challenger banks are similar but check, money transfer times are also immediate.

[Tyre Smoke]

If you open a Starling account you can have a Euro account alongside. Instant transfer, no fees and it will automatically pay in Euros if that is what you are spending.

But everywhere will take cash. Can't imagine a situation where they won't accept notes.

[James P]

Tyre Smoke said:

If you open a Starling account you can have a Euro account alongside. Instant transfer, no fees and it will automatically pay in Euros if that is what you are spending.

But everywhere will take cash. Can't imagine a situation where they won't accept notes.

I use Starling quite a lot of € spending and think there is a 0.4% transaction fee for £ to €. For the benefit of others, you also have to set the card to default to the € account for € spending otherwise it will try to pay from the £ account.

[Tyre Smoke]

There is only a currency conversion fee of 0.4% when you transfer Sterling to your Euro account. There is no fee per transaction.

I have never had to 'tell' it to pay in Euros. It detects Euros and providing you have enough in your account, it pays in Euros.