Credit cards accepted?

My family will be staying near Castelsagrat for 10 days in June, and I wonder if we can count on credit cards (VISA or American Express) being widely accepted at restaurants, grocery stores, and smaller shops. Please forgive the naivety of my question -- our only prior travel in France has been to Paris, and we know that Castelsagrat is a *long* way from Paris.

Many thanks in advance for any advice!

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Generally, American Express in not widely accepted.

Visa is but without a microchip card, (CMV credit card) merchants are more and more hesitant. What was the practice of the last several years has changed. Expect hotels to accept your US credit cards but it%26#39;s best to inquire in advance at smaller shops and restaurants to avoid embarrassing situations. I have had my US issued credit card rejected by restaurants because it lacked a microchip/pin.

ATMs are widely available as a backup.

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Sarastro -- Sounds like we%26#39;ll leave the Amex card at home. We%26#39;re actually staying in a vacation home, so we won%26#39;t have to worry about hotel charges.

As to the ATMs, do you know if the fees particularly steep?

Separately, are travelers checks acceptable to these smaller merchants?

Many thanks!

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When traveling, I recommend carrying at least two different credit cards which are never kept in the same location, i.e. one in luggage, another in a purse.

%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;ATMs, do you know if the fees particularly steep?%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;

Only the fees which your bank levies (which can be high, it pays to ask).

%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;Separately, are travelers checks acceptable to these smaller merchants%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;

I recommend your avoiding travelers%26#39; checks. With the introduction and widespread available of ATMs, travelers%26#39; checks are considered by many as totally obsolete and are no longer widely accepted.

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Terrific. Two (separately stored) credit cards (VISA and MasterCard) and no travelers checks. Many thanks.

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