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Do French supermarket fuel pumps not accept UK cards?  We were running low one sunday, tried 2 different supermarkets, and 3 different cards (debit and credit).  Not one was accepted!  Is this usual and WHY?

Luckily we took a wrong exit off a roundabout and found a manned petrol station to fill up!

Blatchatter's right. The French system is the original one. They quite rightly wondered why they should have to change their system when it quite plainly works for them. They've gradually upgraded their chip n pin machines on the supermarket front, but it's a far more costly exercise on the petrol pumps. It's due to be phased in at some point over the next few years.

In the days before we had our French bank accounts we used to politely ask a local if he/she'd use their cards for use if we gave them the cash. In the main the French were quite happy to do this with a smile on their faces.

We have had a very nice frenchman come to our rescue one early Sunday morning when the pump wouldnt take our card, there was nothing open for miles and we were running on fumes. We know now to keep the tank topped up when the petrol stations are open.

Carol