Checking up on a chequebook

AT last it had arrived, the post woman had delivered my chequebook and I was now a member of the financial world.

Or so I thought, because the layout of a cheque was a lot different than a UK one, so where was I to start?
There were no instructions in the back of the book, just more confusing forms so it was time to search through my books and dictionary to sort it out.
Firstly on the right hand side is a € sign and a faint box where the value of the cheque is written in numerals.
Remember the number 7 is crossed in Europe so that it is not confused with a number 1.
Then on the left hand side there will be a short sentence saying Payez contre ce chèque, and here you write the value in words.
Beneath this there will be a a where you write the payee name (or moi-même when cashing a cheque).
Something not seen in the UK is a section on the cheque to write the location of the place where it was written.
This is beneath the box where you wrote the value in numbers and usually says Fait à.
Then below that there is a line for the date.
And in the bottom right hand corner there is a space for you to write your signature.
For your own records the chequebook stub runs across the top, where you can keep a check on who you’ve paid, what for, the date and the amount.
Each cheque will also feature your address as well as all the necessary financial details.
Related: You can bank on it

Comments

[Steve Clark]

Tip:

In France there are two type of cheque books,
The normal type like the UK banks issue are called "Carnets de cheques avec talon simple"
and the other type are the same as the one in the picture above, and are a pain to use and awkward to tear out as it feels like your going to rip the cheque in half every time.
but if you still fancy a challenge ask for "Carnets de cheques portefeuille"
and of course you can always use www.euro-cheque.com to help with your translation / spelling for all your French cheques.