General Information » Money » Banks

It is impossible to live anywhere in Paris and not be within a couple of blocks of a bank. Popular banks include BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Lyonnais, Crédit Agricole, and Caisse d’Epargne. All are internationally recognised, and all have numerous branches throughout the city. Most open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, and many have Saturday hours. Some branches close for an hour during lunch. While bank employees are usually friendly and helpful, don’t count on exchanging money or even getting them to break a large note for you. For more information on banks, see the Bank Accounts section in the Residents chapter.