buying gasoline in France

Some gas stations will accept US cards, some will not. To avoid the confusion its best just to assume your card won't work and pay cash.

At some gas stations you will see a machine that looks like an ATM that you would get money out of. Instead you put your money in and press the number of the pump you are on and it will give you that much gas. We were scared at first so put in a small bill to start. We filled up cheaply at out skirts of places that had big discount stores. It is called Auchan. They are all over. There you fill up like we do... get the right kind of gas.. and go to the drive up window and pay. There is a gate so you cannot get out until you pay. It is easy because there is a cash register at the window that shows the price so you do not have to speak French.

Here's my experience:

Your cards should work where there are humans at the cash register. They're not likely to when it's an automatic self-serve after hours. Those machines rely on chips and there is no human to override them.

This means you should not have trouble buying gas on the Autoroutes where gas stations are open at all hours. But gas is most expensive there. The cheapest gas is at the "big box" stores on the outskirts of cities - the hypermarches. Their gas stations are staffed during business hours, which means watch out on Sundays, early afternoons and at night.

The only time I am aware of any credit card not working in Europe is when you do not call before you leave and advise the cc company you'll be out of the country.

If the merchant accepts credit cards you should be ok, however, please note that Visa or Mastercard are the two most widely accepted.

Jim,
Some countries in Europe issue credit cards with with smart chips embedded in them; North American cards do not have this chip. This means some merchants only have the hardware to read cards with smart chips. Therefore, cards issued from banks in the US can't be used at some businesses because the equipment they are using can't physically "read" our cards. It has nothing to do with notifying your bank that you'll be traveling overseas.

I was able to use my card everywhere I stopped for gas. I never noticed a problem.

My stops were generally along the highways at travel centers (probably not the cheapest fuel) which also allowed us to get some soft drinks or a snack.

I never bought gas after hours. I also didn't try the automated gas stations, my card may not have worked there.

If I'm driving, I always get a diesel. They run great and the fuel is a little cheaper. I saw bio-diesel signs occasionally at an even better price but haven't used it (I'm not sure that every engine will take it).

We were in Sedan last year and stopped at the supermarche to get gas on Sunday. It would not take our card. I did some research on this and discovered that your must have a store card to use them at the Three Musketeers. It has to do with the chip that Europeans have in their cards.

We paid cash, and paid dearly for it.

So, to conclude:

Pay top price at the gas stations on the Autoroute - but your card will work.

Try to buy after hours at automated gas stations - your card will likely not work.

Buy from hypermarches during hours when they are staffed. Your card should work and you'll get the lowest prices.