Paris Money In The Bank

Bank Accounts. While it is sometimes possible to open an account from abroad, it’s much easier to do so once in Paris. The process is usually pretty rough and French banks stick strictly to the French business mindset (more passive than efficient, more passive-aggressive than helpful), but having a French bank account is definitely helpful. Make sure the bank you choose is comfortable doing business in English, or the language in which you are fluent. The bank will want proof of reason for opening the account, proof of address in Paris, an ID (or multiple), and of course, money. Beyond that, demands vary from bank to bank—make sure you do not leave home without all the necessary banking records, and keep track of your account once in Paris. Wiring money from the US can result in unnecessary hassle and cost, and some businesses such as France Telecom insist on a prélèvement (direct debit automatic withdrawal). For more information on money in Paris, see Essentials.

Active Accounts. Because you are most likely a non-resident, you will want to open up a compte non-résident, which is usually more restrictive than a resident account in terms of how much money you can withdraw per time period (but check with your bank to make sure). If you want to be able to access the money frequently, get a compte courant, a compte à vue, or a compte de dépôt, which are synonyms for “active account.” This allows you (or your parents) to deposit money frequently and withdraw it almost immediately.

Carte Bleu. The Carte Bleu contains a small chip instead of a magnetic strip. This may not seem like a huge discrepancy, but given the fact that most French credit-card accepting machines “live for the chip,” as a strip holder you can often feel left out. When you’ve got 45min. before your TGV jets off for your rowdy weekend getaway to Amsterdam, and then the automatic guichets at Gare du Nord refuse your apparently unacceptable American Express, you’ll be pining for that Carte Bleu. Especially for students staying in Paris for 5 months or more, it’s a must—for shorter stays, it’s still probably worth it.

Grocery Shopping. Newcomers to Paris need to know the grocery shopping Golden Rule: Stock Up Before Sunday, and the Golden Rule’s Amendment: Stock Up Before Sunday Or Know What Supermarkets Are Open On Sunday (for one, the Monop’ at 69 ave. du Général Leclerc in the 14 ème ). Beyond the Saturday evening realization that you’re out of your favorite brunch food (even more reason to explore Paris’s rapidly increasing brunch options), grocery shopping is otherwise a joy. French supermarkets have high quality food and are often much cheaper than in the US. While in the past, it was almost blasphemous to buy fresh produce and products such as meat and cheese at anything other than markets in Paris, supermarkets are starting to gain popularity, and they provide a larger range of goods. In particular, the grocery store chain Picard (www.picard.fr), stocked entirely with frozen foods and meals (sounds odd, is truly amazing), is the perfect quick-stop shop for dinner. For more information about supermarkets and grocery shopping, see Life and Times.

Cheap University Restaurants/Crous. As a student in Paris, you will automatically have access to one of the delights of the French University system: university restaurants, run by the Centre régional d’œuvres universitaires (CROUS) . While the cooks can’t promise a four-star meal, they can offer a solid lunch or dinner for around €3. The CROUS offers 14 restaurants and 22 cafeterias around the city; to find a location near wherever you are or may be, check out www.crous-paris.fr. Just remember to bring your student card!

Cell Phones. Most study-abroad students come to Paris with an International SIM card in the US, or they end up buying a pay-per-minute phone once they arrive. PhoneHut or FNAC sell several different phones from a variety of providers, allowing you to compare prices and service. Bouygues, SFR, and Orange also operate service centers in Paris. The cheapest “disposable” phones start at €20. You can purchase more minutes at most tabacs.

I’Ll Call You .. Wait, You Call Me. Unlike American cell phones, French mobiles don’t charge patrons for incoming calls. Most people rely on much cheaper text messaging to communicate.