Using Credit Cards in France

Unfortunately this article is mainly for Americans (and Canadians?) - because our credit cards are still stupid. Yes folks, depending on where you are in France then you cannot rely on your outdated credit card technology.

Navigating the Parisian Metro can be a hassle, especially during the holidays. I found myself as usual in the Rue Diderot entrance (Gare de Lyon) ready to take the RER A to visit my uncle. It was Christmas day in the bustling metro system and I was tired from a long TGV ride. Upon walking up to one of the automated ticket vendors it became clear that the group next to me were Americans. The husband tried using his American credit card in the machine and shouted back at his wife with displeasure when he realized the inevitable... his credit card would not work.

I explained to them that the same thing happened to me a while back before having a French bank account. They had no clue what a puce was, so I showed them my French bank card. He would now have to go wait in the 20-minute line for his tickets from a RATP employee unless he had euro coins for the machine. Flustered, he asked me if there were any ATM's around. Instead, I offered to buy the five metro tickets in exchange for U.S Dollars. The entire family happily wished me a "Merry Christmas" once they realized I saved them an inconvenient wait.

What's the Difference?

American credit cards lack a little chip or puce in French. This technological difference runs you the risk of a vendor not accepting your swipe-able card because French cards are simply inserted into the device and pulled out once the payment has been made. This may sound like a minor deal at first, however you'll remember my article when your 120€ dinner goes unpaid for because they don't have the appropriate machinery.

The 1,000,000 Milestone

The Dom Pérignon was flowing yesterday.

FrenchCrazy has reached out across the globe and surpassed the 1,000,000 mark. We've gotten the word through to people in the United States, UK, France, Canada, Australia, Germany, India, Ukraine, China, and Ireland to the far reaches of Brazil, Malaysia, Lebanon, Russia, and even Madagascar.

Literally, someone from every country in the world has visited the website (according to our statistical software).

But of course, we have to thank you - the readers, for making this possible. Several great articles have been line up as well as a FrenchCrazy book is in the works.

Here's to a million more! Let the celebration continue.

Cheers, from France,

John Elkhoury

La Fête Des Lumières

Every year in Lyon, France an enormous light festival takes places, attracting millions of people worldwide. As I navigated Lyon during that frigid December night I saw the opportunity to warm my soul with vin chaud at 2€ a cup and sugar coated gaufres as a treat. There were colorful lights everywhere, some danced on buildings to the synchronization of music and others lit entire avenues a bright hue. I felt a telling atmosphere of holiday cheer, a vibrant city filled with joy.



What is La Fête Des Lumières about?
The festival takes place every year for three or four days around the 8th of December. In the 17th century Lyon was struck by the plague and the villagers promised that they would pay tribute to the Virgin Mary if spared. They would light candles and give offerings to commemorate this event for years to come.