Can I pay by US dollars in Paris

I would be surprised if they did. Think about it this way...would cafe n the U.S. take euros to purchase snacks and water?

No. Use € for cash or better yet use a CC or phone pay (Apple, Google). Most places in Europe will take a card for just about anything. I can't imagine why they would take $. Small amounts of US $ don't do anything for them, they can't spend them and it would probably be too small an amount for them to exchange them.

The answer would be no.

If you get yourself a time machine and go back 70 years, maybe.

US dollars are more hassle than they're worth... usually about 80 euro cents by the time anyone has done the exchange.

It is kind of insulting to even ask them if you can. Please don’t. So easy to just pay with a card or Apple Watch even for small amounts.

Do we accept Euros here in America at cafes and restaurants? Europe would lose money doing that. Use a NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE Credit Card or Apple Pay. You can get Euros out at ATMs. Read the Travel Tips section here on this site - there is a great section about MONEY that goes over all of this. The Travel Tips section is FULL of great info.

Know many small, local owned places only take cash- so get euros from an ATM- avoid exchange kiosks

ok. ok. Thank you all.

a great resource to you is to buy the Rick Steves Paris book - it will teach you so much. And read the travel tips section here on this website. If this is your first time to Europe, the Rick Steves book, EUROPE THROUGH THE BACKDOOR is very very good. It is here on this site, but often it is cheaper on Amazon. The Rick Steves Guidebooks are the best on the market . . . we don't travel anywhere without one.

Last year in Florence we were at a cafe and I noticed U.S. dollar bills in the tip jar. I made a remark to the waiter and his reply was that the dollars were useless to them. He said they would need a large amount (I have forgotten the correct amount) of dollars in order to exchange them at the bank. I took the dollars and gave him euros in exchange. I found this somewhat upsetting as you see U.S. dollars in tip jars all over Europe.

You're a real mensch, Ellen! What a great gesture. I'll remember that if ever I have an opportunity to act likewise.

I think some people's travel experience is mostly in Mexico and the Caribbean where US dollars are usually taken and preferred, and most tourists are Americans. .

I just got back from Paris and paid for just about everything with Apple pay on my phone. That includes quick snacks and water.

Thanks Judy. That helps. I was not sure if they accept Gpay for small money, but thanks for confirming.

Google Pay and, and as noted above, Apple Pay work in France depending on the merchant but you are, of course, not paying in American dollars.

Actually , there is few stores that u can pay in USD , like big département store as La samaritaine or galerie Lafayette . Used to work for La Samaritaine and u can pay with all the différents money in the world .

Actually , there is few stores that u can pay in USD , like big département store as La samaritaine or galerie Lafayette . Used to work for La Samaritaine and u can pay with all the différents money in the world ."

Of course you may be able to--if you don't mind paying 10-20% more than you are supposed to. It costs the merchant time and money to turn foreign currency into local currency that they can use and bank (anywhere). Who do you think is going to pay for that?

Every time I am in Mexico I see people happily being ripped off because "they take dollars" Sure they do. That meal that just cost me 200 pesos which is equivalent to about $10 they took $15 or $20 from the 'happy tourist" LOL!

If they "take dollars" you will be ripped off!

The same thing if the credit card machine offers to let you pay in dollars... Just say no!