Exchange rates in France v UK

[andygo]

We are off to the Dordogne for our hols. The people we booked with need sorting out with Euros in cash which is fair enough.
My question is, what's the best and cheapest way to convert sterling cash to euros.

Is it best to trot into the local French Credit Agricole branch with a load of £ ss and use their exchange rate, or just suffer the online exchange rate and charges offered by our banks in the Uk?

[smifffymoto]

Search money saving expert for the best answer.The rate is rubbish now so you shouldn't have high hopes also for holiday of £1000 or 2 it won't be that significant.

[Stig]

The Post Office usually give a better rate than UK banks. For larger sums it may be worth using hifx etc. I would change it here for peace of mind.

[Puggit]

If you have a debit card which doesn't charge for foreign cash withdrawals - then this is the cheapest way. Obviously you may have a daily limit on that card.

Otherwise, you may as well pop in to the Post Office or M&S with a handful of notes and swap in there.

[The_Doc]

Puggit said:

If you have a debit card which doesn't charge for foreign cash withdrawals - then this is the cheapest way. Obviously you may have a daily limit on that card.

Otherwise, you may as well pop in to the Post Office or M&S with a handful of notes and swap in there.

Got Eu1.09/£ (all-in rate) recently in Tuscany doing this. Pulled 400Eu in two goes from the ATM

[ianash]

There are several firms offering good rates easily found on google. However, after one of these firms went belly up losing their clients money, you need to ask yourself this question, "do you feel lucky"? "well do you p###"?. Only joking - honest.