Where to Pay with Bitcoin in France in 2026? Complete Guide to Shops, Cards and Apps
With 10 to 12% of French citizens holding cryptocurrencies in 2025, the question of their daily use becomes central. Where can you actually spend Bitcoin in France? This comprehensive guide lists shops, restaurants, national retailers and tools to pay with crypto across the country.
TL;DR
- 300+ shops accept Bitcoin in France, listed on BTC Map and PayerenBitcoin.fr
- Printemps: first European department store to accept crypto (20 stores)
- Tisséo Toulouse: first European city to accept Bitcoin for metro payments
- Carrefour City: 6 stores in Seine-Maritime accept Bitcoin via Swiss Bitcoin Pay
- Bitrefill: Amazon, Fnac, Carrefour gift cards payable in crypto
- Lyzi: 1,500+ connected merchants in France via the app
Interactive Maps to Find Bitcoin-Friendly Shops
Before looking for Bitcoin-accepting shops, equip yourself with the right tools. Several interactive maps list establishments in France:
BTC Map: The Global Reference
BTC Map is a collaborative map listing over 300 shops in France that accept Bitcoin, most of them via the Lightning Network. The interface allows filtering by type of business (restaurants, bars, boutiques) and displays opening hours. The map is updated by the community and remains the most reliable tool for finding a Bitcoin-accepting shop near you.
PayerenBitcoin.fr: The French Reference Site
PayerenBitcoin.fr positions itself as the French reference site for Bitcoin-accepting shops. Beyond the interactive map, the site offers a form for merchants wishing to list their establishment. It features around thirty verified shops across France: watchmakers, restaurants, bars, hairdressers, clothing boutiques and even a law firm.
Lyzi: The Mobile App with 1,500+ Merchants
Lyzi is a French fintech launched in 2022 that has integrated over 1,500 merchants in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. The app works as a crypto wallet and lists all partner shops. Lyzi accepts over 500 cryptocurrencies and returns 1 to 2% cashback on each payment. A partnership with Yavin allows equipping over 10,000 payment terminals in France.
Coinmap and Bitcoin.com Maps
Coinmap, launched in 2013 by SatoshiLabs (creators of Trezor), is the oldest Bitcoin shop map. Based on OpenStreetMap, it allows anyone to add addresses. Bitcoin.com Maps offers an alternative with a modern interface and category filters.
Major Retailers Accepting Bitcoin in France
Le Printemps: First European Department Store
On November 20, 2024, the Printemps department stores became the first in Europe to accept cryptocurrency payments. This historic partnership with Binance Pay and Lyzi allows customers to pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins (EURI, USDC) across the 20 stores in the network.
How does it work? Customers scan a QR code via the Binance app, select their cryptocurrency and confirm. Printemps receives the payment in euros within 48 hours, with no additional fees. This initiative earned Printemps and Lyzi the Bronze Laureate Award at the Nuit du Commerce Connecté 2024.
Tisséo Toulouse: Metro with Bitcoin
Since March 17, 2025, Toulouse has become the first European city to accept cryptocurrencies for public transport. Via the Tisséo app, users can pay for bus, metro, tramway and cable car in Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana or Tether (70+ cryptos supported).
A single ticket costs around 0.000024 BTC (€1.80). The partnership with Lyzi and Binance required an investment of €50,000. According to Sacha Briand, finance manager at Tisséo: “18% of French people already own cryptocurrencies. To not miss the train, we are launching this payment method.”
Limitation: the service is currently only available on Android.
Carrefour City: 6 Stores in Normandy
In Seine-Maritime, 6 franchised Carrefour City stores accept Bitcoin via Swiss Bitcoin Pay: 4 in Rouen, 1 in Le Havre, and 1 in Elbeuf (since October 2025). Customers simply scan a QR code to pay.
Important: this is a local franchisee initiative, not a national Carrefour policy. Omer Diner, store manager, explains: “There is demand for this type of payment. We ourselves are daily bitcoin users.”
Other Lyzi Partner Retailers
Beyond Printemps, several premium retailers accept crypto via Lyzi:
- Fitness Park: first gym network (Boulogne-Billancourt club)
- S.T. Dupont: Parisian boutiques on Rue de la Paix and Rue Saint-Honoré
- Porsche Center Montpellier and Lamborghini Center Bordeaux
- Shopping centers: Beaugrenelle, Les Rives de l’Orne, Steel, Les Deux Lions (crypto gift cards)
Iconic Bitcoin Locations in France
The “Bitcoin Boulevard” at Passage du Grand Cerf
On November 17, 2016, the Passage du Grand Cerf (Paris 2nd arrondissement) became Paris’s first “Bitcoin Boulevard”. This covered passage, listed as a Historic Monument, built in 1825 and famous for its 12-meter-high glass roof, houses 25 boutiques, most of which accepted Bitcoin at the inauguration.
Address: Passage du Grand Cerf, between rue Marie Stuart and rue Saint-Denis, 75002 Paris.
Among the pioneering shops: Restaurant Le Pas Sage, Rickshaw (decoration), Satellite, Glasscove. The initiative was led by Cercle du Coin and Maison du Bitcoin. Today, some shops still accept Bitcoin, although the initial enthusiasm has stabilized.
Bitcoin Bazar: The 100% Bitcoin Shop in Paris
Bitcoin Bazar is THE reference physical shop for Parisian Bitcoiners. Located at 27 rue Eugène-Carrière, 75018 Paris (Lamarck metro, line 12), this mini-boutique offers:
- Hardware wallets: Ledger, Trezor, Coldcard
- Books: “The Bitcoin Standard”, technical guides
- Clothing and merchandise: t-shirts, caps, stickers
- Decoration: posters, collector items
- Bitcoin gift cards
The best part? An expert on site to advise beginners and advanced users alike. Payment accepted in cash or Bitcoin. Online shop: bitcoinbazar.fr
Shops by Region: Detailed List
Here is a selection of verified shops accepting Bitcoin in France, sorted by region (source: PayerenBitcoin.fr):
Paris and Île-de-France
| Name | Type | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin Bazar | Bitcoin Shop | 27 rue Eugène-Carrière, 75018 |
| Da Vinci Watches | Watchmaker | Paris |
| Le Carlie | Cocktail Bar | 177 rue Saint Martin, 75003 |
| Chez Camille | Bar (-25% in crypto) | Paris |
| Sof’s Bar | Bar | Paris |
| Johana’s Fish & Chips | Restaurant | Paris |
| Kronos 360 | Watchmaker | Paris |
| Sidney Nichols Paris | Clothing | Paris |
| Barnacle Optic | Optician | Paris |
| Cabinet LMD Avocats | Law Firm | Paris |
| Viande Viande | Butcher | Paris |
| La Boule Maître Kébabier | Restaurant | Paris & Drancy |
Lyon and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
| Name | Type | City |
|---|---|---|
| Industrie Barbershop | Barber | Lyon |
| Meltdown Lyon | Gaming Bar | Lyon |
| Bouchon Comptoir Brunet | Lyon Restaurant | Lyon |
| La Tanière | Mountain Restaurant | Morzine/Avoriaz |
| Sandrini Golf | Sports Shop | Aix-les-Bains |
La Tanière in Morzine deserves special mention: this restaurant at the foot of the Avoriaz slopes (67 Place du Téléphérique) offers traditional Savoyard cuisine and pizzas, with Bitcoin payment accepted. Rated 4.2/5 on TripAdvisor with 267 reviews.
Brittany and Normandy
| Name | Type | City |
|---|---|---|
| Le Hangar | Bar/Restaurant | Rennes |
| Richard and Jack’s | Restaurant | Lannion |
| Le NorthWood | Bar | Saint-Lô |
| Carrefour City (x6) | Supermarket | Rouen, Le Havre, Elbeuf |
Southwest and Basque Country
| Name | Type | City |
|---|---|---|
| XUPITO BAR | Bar | Bayonne |
| L’Embuscade | Bar | Bayonne |
| Le Bazar Basque | Souvenirs | Biarritz |
| Le Bon Mélange | Bar/Restaurant | Blagnac |
| Captain Bar Restaurant | Bar/Restaurant | Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains |
Other Regions
- Au Cheval Noir (restaurant) – Hœnheim, Alsace
- Maisons Traditionnelles (construction) – La Fare-les-Oliviers, PACA
- Maison Maachi (clothing) – Argenteuil
Gift Cards: The Universal Solution
Even if a shop doesn’t directly accept Bitcoin, you can spend your crypto there thanks to gift cards. This indirect method allows you to pay anywhere.
Bitrefill: 5,000+ Brands Available
Bitrefill, founded in 2014, is the world leader in crypto gift cards. The platform offers over 5,000 brands in 180 countries, payable in Bitcoin (on-chain or Lightning), Ethereum, USDT, Litecoin, Dogecoin or via Binance Pay.
Brands available in France:
| Brand | Category | Available Amounts |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.fr | E-commerce | €25 to €500 |
| Fnac Darty | Tech, culture | €15 to €250 |
| Carrefour | Supermarket (2,900 stores) | €25 to €250 |
| Airbnb | Accommodation | €25 to €500 |
| Uber / Uber Eats | Transport / Delivery | €15 to €150 |
| Netflix | Streaming | €15 to €100 |
| Spotify | Music | €10 to €60 |
| PlayStation Store | Gaming | €10 to €100 |
| Steam | PC Gaming | €20 to €100 |
| La Redoute | Fashion, home | €25 to €150 |
How does it work? Choose the brand and amount, pay in crypto, receive the code by email within seconds. Fnac Darty cards are valid for 12 months and usable in-store or online.
Crypto Cards: Spend Anywhere Visa/Mastercard is Accepted
The most flexible solution for spending your crypto remains crypto debit cards. They automatically convert your crypto to euros at the time of payment and work anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted.
Best Crypto Cards 2026 Comparison
| Card | Cost | Cashback | Conversion Fee | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binance Card | Free | Up to 8% | 2.5% | No annual fees, wide crypto choice |
| Crypto.com | €0 to €24.99/month | 2% to 8% | 0.5% outside eurozone | Hotel discounts, lounge access |
| Bybit | Virtual free / €5 physical | Up to 20% | Variable | Very high cashback |
| Coinbase | Free | None | Included | Free ATM withdrawals, minimal fees |
| Bitpanda | €5.90 | 1% to 2.5% | Included | Simple interface |
| Trade Republic | €5 to €50 | 1% Saveback | Included | German regulated broker |
| Ledger (CL Card) | Free | 1% to 2% | Variable | Self-custody, maximum security |
Binance Card vs Crypto.com: The Match
Choose Binance Card if:
- You don’t want to pay annual fees
- You trade regularly on Binance (fee discounts)
- You can stake BNB to maximize cashback
Choose Crypto.com if:
- You travel often (hotel discounts, airport lounge access)
- You’re looking for lifestyle benefits (Netflix, Spotify reimbursed)
- You prefer a complete ecosystem (card, wallet, exchange)
Tax note: in France, each payment with a crypto card constitutes an asset sale. If you’re in profit, the 30% flat-tax applies. Keep your statements for your tax return.
Lightning Network: Instant and Almost Free Payments
The Lightning Network is a layer 2 solution that enables instant Bitcoin payments with fees in the order of one cent. It’s the technology preferred by most Bitcoin-accepting shops in France.
Why Lightning Changes Everything
- Speed: transaction confirmed in less than a second (vs 10 min on-chain)
- Cost: fees under 1 cent (vs several euros on-chain)
- Micropayments: ability to pay amounts under €1
- Record capacity: the network exceeded 5,600 BTC capacity in December 2025
Recommended Lightning Wallets
Self-custody (you keep control):
- Phoenix: developed by ACINQ (French company), the easiest to use
- Breez: intuitive interface, integrated point-of-sale mode
- Muun: unified on-chain + Lightning wallet
Custodial (simpler, less control):
- Wallet of Satoshi: the most popular for beginners
- Strike: excellent for international payments
Solutions for Merchants
If you’re a merchant and want to accept Bitcoin, several solutions exist:
- Swiss Bitcoin Pay: used by Norman Carrefour City stores, automatic euro conversion
- BTCPay Server: self-hosted open-source solution, 0% fees
- Lyzi: integration with 75,000+ existing points of sale
Tax Implications: What You Need to Know
Paying in Bitcoin is not tax-neutral. In France, each use of crypto for a purchase is considered an asset sale.
Applicable Tax Rules
- Taxable capital gains: if you bought BTC at €10,000 and pay with it when it’s worth €100,000, the €90,000 gain is taxable
- 30% flat-tax (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social contributions) on gains
- Exemption threshold: if your total annual sales are under €305, no tax is due
- Mandatory declaration: accounts on foreign exchanges (Binance, Crypto.com) must be declared annually (form 3916-bis)
Practical tip: keep your transaction history. Tools like Waltio or Coqonut automatically generate your crypto tax return.
Adoption Statistics in France
To understand the potential of Bitcoin payments in France, here are the key adoption figures:
| Indicator | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto holders | 12% (6.5 million) | 10% (5.5 million) |
| Crypto awareness | 87% | 92% |
| Purchase intent | 28% | 33% |
| Registered PSANs (AMF) | ~100 | ~140 |
Holder profile: 57% are under 35, 70% are men (although the female share is growing by +3% per year). 80% make fewer than 2 transactions per month, adopting a saver approach rather than trader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to pay in Bitcoin in France?
Yes, Bitcoin payments are perfectly legal in France. Bitcoin is not an official currency but a recognized digital asset. Merchants are free to accept it or not. However, be aware of the tax implications: each payment can generate a taxable capital gain.
How many shops accept Bitcoin in France?
It’s estimated that over 300 physical shops directly accept Bitcoin in France, listed on BTC Map. With the Lyzi app, this number rises to over 1,500 connected merchants. Adding gift cards (Bitrefill) and crypto cards, you can spend your BTC practically anywhere.
What is the best crypto card for France?
For daily use without annual fees, the Binance Card is recommended (cashback up to 8%). For travelers seeking premium benefits (lounges, hotel discounts), the Crypto.com Card is more suitable. For maximum security with self-custody, choose the Ledger CL Card.
How do I pay in Bitcoin at a shop?
The process is simple: the merchant generates a QR code with the amount to pay. You scan it with your Bitcoin wallet (Phoenix, Breez, or the Binance app). You confirm the transaction. Via Lightning Network, payment is confirmed in under a second. The merchant generally receives euros in their account.
Do I need to declare my Bitcoin payments for taxes?
Yes. Each crypto payment is considered a sale and can generate a taxable capital gain (30% flat-tax). You must also declare your accounts on foreign exchanges via form 3916-bis. Below the €305 annual sales threshold, no tax is due.
Sources
- BTC Map – Global map of Bitcoin shops
- PayerenBitcoin.fr – French reference for Bitcoin shops
- Lyzi – Crypto payment app in France
- Bitrefill – Crypto gift cards
- Journal du Coin – Crypto cards comparison 2026
- Boursorama – Carrefour City accepts Bitcoin
- Journal du Coin – Tisséo Toulouse and crypto payment
- Cryptoast – Printemps accepts cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin.fr – Bitcoin Boulevard Paris
- Bitcoin Bazar – Physical Bitcoin shop Paris
- Cryptoast – French crypto adoption statistics
- Bitcoin.fr – Lightning Network shops
