French Bank Account

[Kate3]

I am sure I have read about a fellow caravanner that has a french Bank Account and credit card, for use whilst abroad. Can anyone give me details about good banks and how to arrange please - I am fed up with not being able to use petrol pumps!!!

 

[laurieW]

Hello Kate. Have a look here: www.britline.com/g1/index.htm

 

[lorna2]

Hi Kate

We have opened an account with Credit Agricole, no problems at all. We use the debit card for shopping & diesel, we also have a cheque book, handy for paying at sites that don't take credit cards. You will need to work out the best way of keeping your account topped up with money, it can be costly to arrange transfers from England, there are several very competitive firms who watch the euro rate, then e-mail you to tell you its a good time for them to transfer money for you. We are moving to France in September and have found, by much research that this is the best way for us.

Oh, a word of warning, if you go overdrawn with a French bank account, you will find that they close your account and you will find it quite difficult to get another bank for a while!!

Hope this helps, will give you my e-address if you wish

Lorna

 

[Frank2]

Hi Kate

If it is any help in this months France mag. There is an answer to the same question. If you are with HSBC they own CSF bank in France so you can open an account in France and it would appear to be able to use it as an extention to your UK account.

Frank