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Nationwide is Best.. NO CHARGES. Agree with No large sums for  carriage !

Dont RBS  help their employees?

Dont  forget you can  also cut the cost of stays(campsites) by using Camping Cheques. That means carrying less cash !

You  cud   also  join ASCII and use their site vouchers. Means carrying even less money

If you dont want a second bank account and just want a safe way of carrying money in France with a good exchange rate and no fees then you could try a euro loading card such as Caxtonfx or Fairfx both owned by Newcastle Building Society.

Carol

We use PO credit card and our HSBC cards at ATMs. ( Have been with HSBC for years -in fact they were Midland Bank when we started!)

We have the advance account (used to be plus account) so there is no charge for using ATMs abroad or the HSBC credit cards.

You do pay a monthly fee though, but get free travel insurance and breakdown. I still take out Red Pennant Cover for the car and van though!

Have also got the ACSI card, as we are going in June. Last year we saved the cost in 2 nights!

We usually take about £400 worth of euros cash safely walletted (bought some more from the Post Office today: 1.15 euros to the pound, no transaction charge) using the Nationwide debit card to top up cash and the Nationwide credit card for as much as possible: don't forget that credit cards companies share some responsibility along with a vendor for faulty goods or service - if something goes wrong with a hire or a purchase and you've paid by credit card then VISA (or whatever) has a responsibility to reimburse you; not so for cash or debit cards of course.

Security may be important: the wife and I carry a quarter of the cash each and put the rest in our high security bag along with passports &c.. She also carries another credit and another debit card .... just in case!

A final thought, once you have your selected cards packed, leave all your other ones at home, inclduing store cards - you may not suffer financially if you lose them or have them stolen but you'll have a lot of hassle reporting and replacing them!