France uses the euro, and for most of your trip you will pay by card. The mountains are different from cities, though: village shops can be small, huts are remote and a phone signal is never guaranteed. This page explains how to set up your money before you leave Singapore. It complements our general advice on planning a hike and the English home page.
Cards first, with a backup
A multi-currency card or account can reduce conversion costs and make budgeting easier, because you can hold euros in advance. LocalRank's guide to multi-currency cards in Singapore lists cards, accounts and travel-money apps from regulated providers and reminds readers to check current terms first. Whatever you choose, compare the foreign-exchange margin, any monthly or cash-machine fees and the daily limits, and set up the app before you travel.
Carry a second card from a different provider in a separate place, in case one is lost, blocked or declined. Keep the card issuer's emergency number somewhere other than your phone.
Contactless and chip-and-PIN payments are widely used in France. Make sure you remember your PIN, because some unattended machines, such as fuel pumps and car parks, may ask for it. Set sensible spending limits in the app and switch on transaction alerts, so that unusual activity is easy to spot while you are on the trail.
Cash for huts and small shops
Many mountain huts and village businesses accept cards, but some prefer cash or have unreliable connections, particularly in poor weather. Carry a modest amount of euros in small notes and coins for drinks, picnic supplies, parking and tips. Check each hut's payment arrangements when you reserve; our page on mountain huts (in French) explains how bookings, meals and dormitories usually work. Cash machines are found in valley towns but rarely higher up, so withdraw before you head for a multi-day route, and keep your notes in a waterproof pouch, split between your pack and a pocket.
Exchanging money
If you prefer to buy euros before you go, compare money changers on location, currencies and service rather than on a rate you saw weeks ago, because rates move daily. LocalRank's list of money changers in Singapore compares well-known changers and exchange clusters on exactly those points rather than on quoted rates. Withdrawing from a cash machine in France is another option, but check your own bank's fees first. Avoid leaving all your exchanging to the last minute at an airport, where margins are often higher.
Budgeting without false precision
Prices change, so we do not quote them here. A better approach is to list the main categories: flights, insurance, accommodation (huts, guest houses or gîtes), meals, local transport, parking and fuel if you drive, gear and a reserve for weather delays. Our page on getting there (in French) and the discovery page help you choose a valley, and local tourist offices can confirm current prices. Keep receipts for any insurance claim.
Half-board stays in huts usually bundle a bed, dinner and breakfast, which simplifies budgeting, while self-catered nights in gîtes or guest houses move part of the cost to groceries. Allow for a taxi or shared transfer from the airport or station if public transport does not match your arrival time, and keep a reserve for the day when bad weather forces a change of plan.
Official information and rules
Entry conditions, park rules and weather can change, so check official sources before you travel and before each outing: the website of the Pyrenees National Park for the park and Météo-France for forecasts. The rules for the protected core of the park, including limits on camping and fires, are summarised on our rules page. If your plans change, tell your accommodation as early as possible and check the cancellation terms, because mountain weather can force changes at short notice.
Key points
- Use a card as your main payment method and carry a backup from another provider.
- Keep some euros in small denominations for huts, shops and parking.
- Compare fees and margins, not only headline rates, and set up apps before you fly.
- Check official sources for rules and conditions before every outing.
