Need cash when I land, best place in France? Airport or places in the city?
In Lyon I waited until I got to the city and exchanged cash at a bureau de change near Place Bellecour. The rate was way better than what I saw at the airport. Some of these local exchange offices don’t even charge commission if you're exchanging 100 euros or more.
If you’re using a card like Revolut, Wise, or a no-foreign-fee debit card, ATMs from major banks like BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and Crédit Mutuel are your best bet. Take out what you need from a bank-attached ATM in the city for the best deal. For arrival day, just exchange or withdraw a small amount to cover basics.
At Marseille airport, the currency exchange counter offered something like 0.85 EUR/USD when the mid-market was around 0.92. I used a BNP Paribas ATM near baggage claim and got a way better rate through my Wise card. Took out 200 euros and paid only about 3 euros in total fees.
I landed at Charles de Gaulle and checked the Travelex rate at the terminal. It was way below the real rate plus they wanted a service fee. I used an HSBC ATM instead and got a much better deal, even with the foreign transaction fee. Always use ATMs over airport exchange booths if you can.
If you just need a bit of cash to get into the city or grab a snack, changing a small amount at the airport is fine. But if you're talking about exchanging a large sum or withdrawing from an ATM, definitely wait until you're in the city. Airport exchange counters in France are known for terrible rates and added commissions.