Living in France - Shopping

BANKS AND SHOPS

Banks are usually open from 09:00 to 17:00 hours from Monday to Friday (locally, they may close between 12:00 and 14:00 hours). Some banks are open on Saturdays.

Use of bank cards has become very widespread in France. They are used to pay for purchases, withdraw cash, pay for calls from telephone booths and pay motorway tolls, etc.
French bank cards have a microchip and a confidential code.

Shops are generally open from Monday to Saturday, from 09:00 to 12:00 hours and from 14:00 to 19:00 hours. They do not close for lunch in large cities.
Supermarkets are often open until 20:00 hours (22:00 hours in large cities). 

Some food and tourist shops are open on Sundays.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Description, composition or origin of a product and price displays:

• For further information, contact the Departmental Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud (DGCCRF) in your department.

Health of products of animal origin:

For further information, contact the veterinary services at the Departmental Directorate for Agriculture and Forestry (DDAF).

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2006
Reproduction is authorised.