The euro replaced the French franc in 1999 for electronic transactions. Euro notes and coins entered circulation in France and other participating countries on 1 January 2002.
The French franc had been France’s national currency for centuries, with interruptions and major reforms. France was one of the founding members of the euro area and adopted the euro at the start of European monetary union.
In 1999, exchange rates between participating national currencies and the euro were fixed irrevocably. The franc continued to appear in cash transactions during the transition period, but its conversion rate was fixed at 6.55957 francs per euro.
The French franc ceased to be legal tender on 17 February 2002. It is therefore different from the euro, which first existed as a non-cash accounting currency before becoming physical money.