GETTING CASH IN FRANCE

Yes, you will be able to use your US debit and credit cards there (debit cards in the ATMs and credit cards for purchases). All credit cards have magnetic strips. European credit cards have a chip in them as well.

One issue in France in particular is that you can't use your US credit card in transit ticket machines, such as at CDG for the RER train into Paris. The ticket machines only accept Chip-and-PIN cards or Euro coins, which you're not likely to have a big supply of upon arrival in Europe. So you'll probably have to wait in the longish line to buy a train ticket into the city.

The Velib bike rental machines in Paris don't accept US credit cards other than Amex.

Your debit/ATM card should bt OK in any ATM.

One very important note before you leave for France: Contact your providing bank and let them know where you are going and the dates you will be overeseas. If you don't, most providers will lock you out as a security measure. Also, the French Postal ATM's seem to offer the best (lowest) user fee for cash withdrawls and avoid any "private" (non-bank or gov't. institution) ATM, by all means. C'est comme ca.

In addition to ticket kiosks (as mentioned above), to pay at the pump at a petrol station, you usually need a PIN-encoded card, but you can use any credit card at the service counter. You will sometimes find ATM machines that require the same, but these are usually well outside the areas where tourists typically visit. At worst, I've been slightly inconvenienced, but it has never been a show stopper.

The only thing I'd add is that your USA cards usually won't work in the "credit card" lanes on European tollroads. If you're driving and have to pay a toll, choose the "cash" lane.

Your debit card should work in any ATM, and you'll find ATM's everywhere over there.

If you have a Bank of America account, you can withdraw money from any BNP Paribas bank without being charged the $5 fee.