Siam Spencer 1:42 p.m., December 31, 2021

The euro turns 20 on Saturday.

On January 1, 2022, the French abandoned the franc for this new currency which was not always unanimous.

So, 20 years later, what do the French think?

Siam Spencer went to ask them the question for Europe 1.

Some have almost forgotten the conversion: 1 euro is equal to 6.55 francs.

Others still use it and deplore a loss of their purchasing power.

In the end, what do the French retain from these twenty years under this new common currency? 

A currency "more practical when traveling"

"Even now, from time to time we convert to the franc, but just to hurt ourselves", testifies a French.

"When I was a student, you could have lunch for 10-15 francs, it was a student meal but today it's 10-15 euros," he continues.

>> 

READ ALSO

- Twenty years of the euro: has the common currency pushed up prices?

“Although we are in euros, I did not at all have the impression of being dispossessed of my French identity,” says another.

For other French people, the euro is a pass for traveling to our European neighbors.

"I can go to all European countries to use a common currency, it is much more convenient when traveling." 

"Esperanto seemed to be a totally unrealistic dream, as much as the euro, it is something which has been possible, which is possible and which is comfortable and comforting", testifies one last.