I’m going to France in November.
What I would like is you (hopefully well informed) opinion on what exchange rates between the US dollar and the franc will be then and what strategy I should use.
Should I exchange a couple of hundred dollars now? Or 500 dollars now? Will the dollar be stronger in November or weaker?
Later I’ll ask about restaurants and stuff but If you have any money advice I’d like to hear it.
I’m not very informed, but I’ll just point out that the franc no longer fluctuates against the euro – the relative exchange rate is fixed. So what you should really be concerned about is whether the euro will be up or down in November (vs. the dollar).
I wouldn’t worry about it though. It’s not necessarily easy OR cheap to get foreign currency in the US. I’ve found it’s way simpler to just take an ATM card with you and get cash out of a machine once you’re there.
Here’s the best thing to do. Convert $10 into francs now.
A week before you go, convert another $10.
That’ll be enough to get you going, and then withdraw francs from ATMs while you’re there, or use your credit card for all purchases. You’ll get better exchange rates either way than you would at a walk-up place, either here or in gay Paree.
I’m fairly sure that whatever fractions of a percent in a difference in exchange would be sucked up by the fees charged at exchange bureaus.
Hah! If I could do THAT, I would be on my boat in the Caribean sea! 
Yeah, the ATM’s are the way to go. There’s no sure way of telling what the Euro will do.
Actually here in NYC it is easy and cheap to change dollars into just about anything.
Oh well, I guess I’ll just worry about it for sport.
Thanks everyone though.
It’s true that euro/franc exchange rate is fixed but franc/USD obviously is not. Change to euros will occur next year with transitional phase until end of February. I’d say that the difference probably will not be so big that there’s an imperative need for exchange in advance. You can always take your dollars with you and change them on arrival.
Keep in mind also that the exchange rates and fees you get for using ATMs are only worth it if in an emergency(we have calculated this over the years). Credit cards usually have really good exchange rates, so I’d recommend using those as much as possible.
As for getting cash - every year I go to France and every year I call American Express to get francs. They mail them promptly, and the exchange rate right now is pretty durn good. Hastle free. (Traveller’s checks have always seemed to be a pain in the ass…)
Bon voyage!