January 1-st, 1999
 
You can use chequebooks in euros and credit cards.

Credit cards require no modification to be compatible with the euro, but it's different for the cheques.

To pay a deal by cheque in euros, it is necessary to possess a specific chequebook. These chequebooks in euros are available since January 1-st, 1999 with the banks which deliver them free of charge.
They start to be addressed by certain banks to the private individuals as to the companies and will be it systematically as from next July.
The euro cheque contains some visual characteristics : the monetary unit is indicated next to the amount in figures by the logo of the euro without the mention " check for " which disappears.
To avoid any error on the currency of the check during the payment, pictogram of euro, very visible, is just next to the amount in figures.
The mention " to draft exclusively in euros " appears unambiguously. These numerous precautions aim at avoiding the risks of error or fraud.    
 

July 1-st, 2001

Banks and financial institutions will supply you henceforth systematically with chequebooks in euros.
 
December, 2001

The storekeepers will receive cashes in euros. So, they are ready by January 1-st, 2002 to make the currency in euros.

December 15, 2001

With the operation " The first euros ", banks and post offices propose bags containing 40 coins in euros sold 100 francs ( 15,24 euros).

The end of December, 2001

Banks and the Post office adapt the cash dispensers for the euro so that you can remove euros from January 1-st, 2002.

In December 31, 2001 at midnight

Official introduction of coins and notes in euros in the 12 countries of the euro zone : Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands and Portugal.

In January 1-st, 2002

The euro is here. Coins and notes are put into circulation so that you can pay everything in euros.  

Banks and the Post office put euros into circulation and more particularly small notes. To facilitate the retreat of coins and notes in francs, the storekeepers begins to return change in euros. Thus you obtain your euros in the banks and the Post office, in the cash dispensers and when the storekeepers return your change.  
Payments in checks, transfers and credit card payments are only made in euros.
You gradually and naturally will exchange your currency in francs for euros. 

In February 17, 2002, at midnight

End of payments in francs. From this date, all your purchases will be made in euros. Payments in coins and notes in francs are no longer authorized.  

Until June 30, 2002
 
You can exchange your coins and notes in francs free of charge until June 30, 2002 in your bank, in the Post office and in the Bank of France which will clarify you the modalities of this operation.

After June 30, 2002

After this date, you can exchange your coins in francs free of charge in the Treasury or in the Bank of France for 3 years and your notes in francs for 10 years.