Tap-to-Pay ('Sans Contact') Is the Default
From a €1.30 morning baguette de tradition in Paris to tram validators in Lyon and highway tolls in Provence, contactless Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay work seamlessly. Mobile wallet taps have no €50 PIN cap.
When to Carry €50 in Cash & How Tipping Works
Keep €40–€60 in small notes and €1/€2 coins for rural open-air farmers' markets, village bakeries with a €5 card minimum, and leaving €2–€5 in cash as a 'pourboire' on bistro tables after great service (remembering 15% service is already included by law).
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: