Time to get rid of your last francs

NEARLY four billion in French francs is thought to be still in circulation – and owners have just four months to cash the notes in. After February 17, 2012, old notes will be valuable only as souvenirs or for sale to collectors.

The Banque de France says about €602 million worth of francs is still lying in drawers and the following notes can be exchanged: 20FF Débussy (named after the picture on the note) – for €3.05, 50FF Saint-Exupéry – €7.62, 100FF Cézanne – €15.24, 200FF Gustave Eiffel – €30.49 or 500FF Pierre and Marie Curie – €76.22.

Banque de France branches - see www.tinyurl.com/banquebranches – will exchange the notes, which were replaced by the euro in 2002. The bank said selling to a collector would likely be a mistake as they only wanted notes in an “impeccable” condition.