best place to buy Euros for France

[whataboutbob]

Should I buy Euros here at my usual place (M&S) or take out a good amount of £££s and change in a bank once in France? Just wondering where the best rate is likely to be. Thank you.

Check what your bank card charges for cash withdrawl and card payments in France. Some make no charge at all and exchange based on the bank rate which is better than the tourist rate you get in M&S. Even if they charge a small fee, it could well be cheaper than buying Euros in M&S.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-credit-cards#seven

I don't know why anybody changes money in the UK really, it's an expensive and insecure way to do it as it's gone forever if its lost or stolen.

We use an ATM in France to take out what we need, and pay for big stuff like food shopping on our card.

I pay for everything on a Halifax Clarity card and get cash at ATMs. Without fail I get better exchange rates even if you factor in a tiny fee for getting cash on a credit card. Any leftover Euros get used as a little cash float on next holiday.

Thanks so much everyone this is really useful.
The link to the moneysavingexpert website was really good. Yet again I have left it too late to get a good value card but I have resolved to apply for the Halifax card when I get back, we'll be going to Spain in October so it'll be worth it. We're staying with family in France so hopefully won't have to make too many withdrawals!

I use the Revolut app and card - pre-paid/pre-load and you get the best bank rates then withdraw from ATM or pay by card. So much easier than carrying euros and picking up from bureaux etc. I'm a total convert to this after my husband urged me to do it. It also helps me budget better - I stick a couple of quid on it at end of pay month each month and it racks up then convert when rate is good.

ATM. Can't remember the last time I changed cash.