The Banque de France is an independent institution governed by French and European law, and a member of the Eurosystem, which is the federal system comprising the European Central Bank and the national central banks of the euro area.
The Banque de France contributes to the definition of euro area monetary policy and ensures its implementation in France on behalf of the Eurosystem.
Safeguarding financial stability is one of the core missions of the Banque de France. It consists in ensuring the financial system functions efficiently and is sufficiently robust to withstand shocks.
The Banque de France provides economic expertise in the form of research, forecasts and contributions to international financial bodies. Through these activities, it helps to establish a complete diagnosis of the economy, which is necessary for the conduct of monetary policy.
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The Banque de France carries out a broad range of cash-related activities: it issues banknotes, monitors recirculated banknotes and puts coins into circulation. It is also steering the modernisation of the cash cycle, in conjunction with its clients.
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Find out more about euro banknotes and coins, how to check they are genuine, how to use and exchange them.
Euro banknotes are identical in all euro area countries. Their characteristics (size, colour, illustrations, security features) are easy to recognise, including for the visually impaired. Euro...
Genuine euro banknotes and coins are legal tender in the 19 countries of the euro area, as well as in the French overseas territories and some countries outside the euro area. This means that they...
To check the authenticity of a banknote, use the simple Feel-Look-Tilt method. This allows you to easily verify the banknote’s security features. Alternatively you can use your smartphone, or...
The Banque de France trains over 25,000 professionals per year, free of charge, in banknote authentication. You can also use the free e-learning tool available on this website.
You can exchange a banknote for another one at your own bank branch. The Banque de France also exchanges banknotes under certain circumstances: high denomination notes for low denomination ones,...