Where can I find the best currency exchange rates in Paris? I’ve read that hotels and banks are not the best sources.
Use your debit card at any ATM. (This is true anywhere in the world, not just Paris.)
No debit card? Why not? Get one before you go.
I do plan to use my debit card. Does that differ from the bank’s rate of exchange?
Typically the best rates available, and no percentage service charge. In fact, I don’t recall even being charged the buck or two that ATMs in the US charge when they’re not your bank.
I never bother to get foreign currency before I travel or change money at banks, hotels, or currency exchanges. I just find an ATM at the airport when I get off the plane at my destination.
commasense pretty much has it wrapped up !
If you really feel the need to bring dollars with you though you have the choice of changing them in built-up tourist areas where it’ll cost you a little (<$1) more to change the money to ? but they stay open much later (and on Sundays) than other stores that have a smaller commision rate but don’t keep the same hours.
Debit card is IMHO always the easiest and best answer but it’s always good to have some cash somewhere in case of emergencies…
Using ATMs is definitely the best way. First, you don’t need to carry around loads of money to exchange. Second, you’ll get the best rates (You’ll be charged around 1% above the current exchange rate, which is way less than any bank or exchange booth will offer. By the way, an exchange booth may state “no fees added” or something to that effect, which means exactly nothing since the way they’re making money is by offering you an exchange rate significantly different from the current exchange rate, not by adding fees). Essentially all ATMs here have a menu in several languages, or at least in english.
From my reading of american travel boards, I gather the following :
1)Make sure to know your card code in numbers, not letters, as there are no letters on the ATMs keyboards here.
2)Warn your bank that you’ll be using your card oversea. Some people apparently had they card suspended because their bank found suspect massive and unusual withdrawals in a foreign country.
3)Shop around. Though as I said, the VISA network for instance, will charge you only 1% above the current exchange rates and french banks aren’t allowed to charge anything for the use of their ATMs (any statement to the contrary by your bank after the fact is either ignorance or lie. The charge actually came from your bank) , a lot of american banks charge a “conversion fee” (for doing nothing, since the conversion has already been done by the VISA network) to their customers for withdrawals made in foreign countries. These fees can vary widely from one bank to another, and some banks don’t charge any. And they’re likely not to be mentionned on your bank’s statements. So, ask beforehand (knowing that according to many posters, a lot of bank’s employees won’t have a clue about these fees, and are going to tell you BS out of ignorance).
4)Withdrawal will be taken out of your checking account. You won’t have a choice between your checking account and saving account.
Finally, I would advise you to have a second option open, just in case (the ATM could swallow your card, for instance). A second card, for instance. And even some traveller’s checks as a fallback. Though actually most people will disagree with me on this one, I’m going to give you an example explaining why I advise so : some years ago, here, the guys (I don’t know their job’s name in english) who drive/protect the trucks transporting money went on a strike. After a couple days, all the ATMs were empty, and it lasted for a whole week or so. I would have hated being a tourist with only an ATM card at this moment. You’ll probably never have an use for these traveller’s but still I would take some.
By the way, hotals are likely to offer you worst exchange rates (assuming that your hotel would actually exchange money, which is a long shot from being a certainty, if it’s not an upscale/catering for foreign tourists hotel). Exchanging money isn’t their job, and they’re going to have you pay through the nose for the inconvenience of having to figure out an exchange rate and to latter exchange themselves your dollars (paying a fee in the process).
The reason you get a better rate at the ATM is because you’re charged the commercial rate, because your transaction is just one part of millions of dollars that your bank is changing every day. The tourist rate, which you get over the counter, reflects the fact that your transaction is many times smaller.
You have me convinced! And it certainly sounds like the most convenient solution.
(Now I wish I hadn’t already converted anything to Euros at all!)
Clairobscur, I’m taking several ways to access money. Showing up at your place is on the list. 
Thanks again to all!