Does France Have Gift Cards? 10 Popular French Gift Cards to Know

France has plenty of gift cards. The French call them cartes cadeaux, and they’re a standard present for birthdays, Christmas, and staff rewards. Popular French gift cards cover shopping on Amazon.fr, apps on Apple and Google Play, games on Steam and PlayStation, and everyday stores like Fnac, Sephora, Decathlon, and Carrefour.

If you live in Nigeria and a friend or relative in France has sent you one, you probably want to know whether it will work for you, and if not, what you can do with it. This guide covers the 10 cards you’re most likely to come across, how each one works, and how to check what yours is worth before you trade it.

Quick answer

France has a large gift card market. Popular French gift cards include Amazon.fr, Apple, Google Play, Steam, PlayStation, Netflix, Fnac Darty, Sephora, Decathlon, and Carrefour. Most are priced in euros and work only in France or with French accounts. Digital brands such as Apple, Steam, Amazon, and Google Play are the easiest to trade in Nigeria, but you should always confirm that a platform accepts the euro version first.

Key takeaways

French gift cards are priced in euros (€), and the euro’s value against the dollar and naira changes every day.
Many French cards only work in France. Apple, Fnac Darty, and Sephora all limit their cards to France (Sephora also allows Monaco and Luxembourg).
Expiry dates vary a lot. A Fnac Darty card lasts 12 months, while an Amazon.fr card lasts 10 years.
If you plan to sell a card, don’t redeem it. Once redeemed, the value becomes account credit, and you can’t sell it.

How French gift cards work

A French gift card is a prepaid card issued for the French market. It carries a value in euros, and the brand decides where you can spend it. Three things decide whether a card is useful to you in Nigeria.

The first is the region. Many cards only work with French accounts or in French stores. Apple’s French card, for example, is only valid for purchases made in France, and Google requires the country on your Google Play account to match the card’s country.

The second is expiry. Some brands give you a year, some give you ten, and a few never expire. The terms are usually on the back of the card or in the email it came with.

The third is currency. The euro isn’t pegged to the dollar, so a €50 card can be worth slightly more or less in dollars from week to week. That’s one reason trading rates move so often. We cover the other reasons in do gift cards have varying rates?

The 10 most popular French gift cards

We’ve grouped the cards by type, because the type also tells you how easy each one is to trade from Nigeria.

Digital and app gift cards

These are the French cards most likely to be useful to you. They’re digital, the brands are global, and Nigerian trading platforms already deal in them.

Amazon.fr gift card

Amazon’s French store sells electronics, books, beauty products, home goods, toys, clothing, and more. The French Amazon card works on Amazon.fr and nowhere else, so it isn’t the same as an Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, or Amazon.de card.

Sellers offer Amazon.fr cards in values such as €10, €25, €50, €100, €150, and €200. Reseller terms state that the card stays valid for 10 years from the purchase date, which is far longer than most French store cards.

If you want to sell one, first check that the platform buys euro Amazon cards and not only US ones. The Ridima Amazon gift card page shows the regions currently listed.

Apple gift card (France)

The French Apple gift card pays for apps, games, Apple Music, iCloud+ storage, and subscriptions. It can also go towards products like iPhones and AirPods from Apple’s French store. Common values are €15, €25, €50, and €100, and you can buy custom amounts too.

The terms state that the French card can only be used for transactions in France, so you can’t add it to a Nigerian Apple ID. Unless you know someone with a French Apple account who can use it, selling it is the practical option. The sell Apple iTunes gift card page lists the regions you can trade.

Google Play gift card (France)

Android users in France use Google Play cards for apps, games, books, and in-app purchases. Google’s official support page lists French cards at €5, €15, €25, €50, and €100, with custom amounts from €1 to €500.

Because your Google Play country has to match the card’s country, a French card won’t load on a Nigerian account. You can compare your options on the Ridima Google Play gift card page. If you have a card that does match your account’s country, our guide on how to redeem a Google Play gift card walks you through it.

Netflix gift card (France)

A Netflix card pays for a streaming plan without linking a bank card, which makes it a popular gift for students and teenagers. Netflix cards are tied to the country they’re sold in, and the value goes into a Netflix account as subscription credit. Our guide on how to buy and redeem Netflix gift cards online explains the process.

Gaming gift cards

Gaming cards are among the most traded cards in Nigeria, so these two are worth knowing well.

Steam gift card (EUR)

Steam is the largest store for PC games. A euro Steam card adds funds to a Steam Wallet, which the owner can spend on games, downloadable content (DLC), and in-game items.

Steam cards work a little differently from the others on this list. Many sellers describe digital Steam codes as redeemable worldwide, with the value converted into the wallet’s currency when the code is added. That said, terms can differ between cards and sellers, so read them before you buy or sell.

For trading, the currency matters more than you might expect. Euro, US dollar, and pound Steam cards often trade at different rates, even for the same face value. Check the Ridima Steam gift card page and the rate calculator for the version you have, rather than assuming a euro card pays the same as a dollar one.

PlayStation Store gift card (France)

French PlayStation cards pay for PS5 and PS4 games, add-ons, in-game currency, and PlayStation Plus. French reseller Recharge.fr lists them at €10, €20, €50, €100, and €250, and says they don’t expire.

PlayStation ties its codes to the account’s region, so a French card is meant for a French PlayStation Network account. Check the region on the card before you try to trade it.

French retail gift cards

These are the cards French families most often give each other. They’re useful inside France but hard to sell in Nigeria, because few trading platforms list them. If you receive one, giving it to someone who lives in France is usually the best way to make sure it gets used.

Fnac Darty gift card

Fnac and Darty are two of France’s best-known chains for electronics, books, music, video games, and home appliances. Their joint gift card works in Fnac and Darty stores and on fnac.com.

It also comes with more conditions than most cards here. It’s valid for 12 months from purchase and only in mainland France. It also can’t be used for items from Marketplace sellers, digital products, or other gift cards.

Sephora gift card (France)

A Sephora card buys makeup, skincare, hair care, and perfume in Sephora stores, on sephora.fr, and in the Sephora app. Sephora France sells e-gift cards from €20 to €200, while physical cards bought in store range from €20 to €999.

Every Sephora card lasts one year and can be used in France, Monaco, and Luxembourg. You can combine up to five cards in one order, up to a total of €1,000.

Decathlon gift card

Decathlon is France’s main chain for sports and outdoor equipment. Its gift card comes as an e-card or a physical card, both available from €10 to €150, and it stays valid for two years. It works on decathlon.fr, in the Decathlon app, and in stores across France and its overseas departments, though not on items sold by Marketplace partners.

Carrefour gift card

Carrefour is one of France’s largest supermarket chains, and its gift cards go towards groceries, household items, clothing, and small electronics. Families and employers often choose them because almost everyone shops there. Terms vary by card type, so check the conditions on the card for its expiry date and where it can be used.

Where to buy French gift cards

If you’re in France, or buying for someone there, you can get French gift cards from brand websites and apps such as amazon.fr, sephora.fr, decathlon.fr, and fnac.com. Supermarkets and shops also sell them, usually near the checkout. Authorized online resellers are another option, and they deliver digital codes by email.

If you’re sending a card from Nigeria, a digital card is the simplest choice. Check that the listing says France (FR) or EUR, and double-check the recipient’s email address before you pay. You can also buy gift cards on Ridima and pay in naira, as long as you confirm the region first.

How to sell a French gift card in Nigeria

Note your card’s details. Write down the brand, the value in euros, the region (France or EUR), and whether it’s a physical card or an e-code.
Check that the platform accepts it. Not every app buys euro cards. On Ridima, open the gift card rate calculator and look for your card’s brand and region.
Check the naira value. The calculator shows what your card is worth today. Rates change with the euro, the brand, and demand.
Create your account. Download the Ridima app on Android or iOS, or sign up on the web.
Submit your card. Go to sell gift cards, pick your card and region, enter the amount, and upload a clear photo or the e-code.
Get paid. After verification, withdraw your naira to your Nigerian bank account.

For questions about verification or payouts, see the Ridima FAQ page.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is treating euros like dollars. A €50 card and a $50 card aren’t worth the same, so check the day’s exchange rate before you agree to a price.

Timing catches people out too. Fnac Darty and Sephora cards both expire within a year, so if you’re holding one, use it, pass it on, or sell it soon.

Be careful about who you trade with. Anyone who has your code can spend it, so don’t send a code to a buyer on WhatsApp or Telegram who promises to pay you afterwards. Use a platform that verifies the card and then pays you.

Finally, don’t redeem a card just to see whether it works. A redeemed card can’t be sold. If you want to check the balance, use the brand’s official website.

Frequently asked questions about Popular French gift cards

Here are the frequently asked questions about popular French gift cards;

Question 1: What is the most popular gift card in France?

There’s no official ranking, but Amazon.fr, Apple, Fnac Darty, Sephora, and Decathlon are among the cards French shoppers buy most. Gamers tend to choose Steam and PlayStation.

Question 2: Can I use a French gift card in Nigeria?

Usually not. Most French gift cards only work in France or with French accounts. Apple’s French card, for example, is only valid for transactions in France. You can either give the card to someone in France or sell it on a platform that accepts euro cards.

Question 3: Do French gift cards expire?

Many do. Fnac Darty cards last 12 months, Sephora cards last one year, and Decathlon cards last two years. Amazon.fr cards last 10 years, and French PlayStation cards don’t expire, according to French reseller Recharge.fr.

Question 4: Can I sell a French gift card for naira?

Yes, if the platform accepts the euro version of that brand. Digital brands like Apple, Steam, Amazon, and Google Play are the easiest to sell. Check the Ridima rate calculator to see whether your card’s region is listed.

Question 5: How much is a €100 gift card in naira?

That depends on the euro-to-dollar rate on the day you sell and on the trading rate for that brand and region. A €100 Steam card and a €100 Amazon.fr card can pay quite different amounts. The Ridima rate calculator gives you today’s figure.

Conclusion

French gift cards cover shopping, gaming, beauty, and sport, from Amazon.fr and Apple to Fnac Darty and Decathlon. If you’re in Nigeria, it helps to think of them in two groups: global digital cards that you may be able to sell, and French store cards that are best given to someone living in France.

Before you do anything with a card, check its region, its expiry date, and the day’s rate. To see what yours is worth, open the Ridima gift card rate calculator.

Read also:

Does France Have Gift Cards? 10 Popular French Gift Cards to Know

Quick answer

Key takeaways

How French gift cards work