This little box for the "pièces jaunes" (small change) appears next to cash registers all over Paris in January. It's fun for children, who can pick up the box for free at the Post Office as a flat puzzle, assemble it, then fill it during the month from 6 January to 11 February. They are requested not to ask for money in the street or from their neighbors! Even though they don't get anything out of it, there is an unofficial competition to fill the boxes.
Once the box is full, they bring it to the post office between January 30th and February 11th, where the money is collected and counted by the Bank of France and used to improve the quality of life of children in hospitals. Last year, 5.6 million euros was collected this way.
I always get one of the little boxes too. It's a good way to use up those little coins that accumulate at home.
Thank you for reminding me about this. I have a jar filled with one and two cent pieces and this is the perfect opportunity to use them!
Posted by: Vivi | 16 January 2006 at 10:31
This reminds me of the Lassie "Pennies for Unicef!" Halloween episode.
From Sedulia: I wish you'd tell about it!
Posted by: Sarah | 16 January 2006 at 14:40
I would like to thank you for your blog.
I am French and I arrived in the US about 1 year ago.
It is really funny for me to see what can trouble foreigners staying in France, the problem they face, what surprised them. I was so used to this that I could not see it.
I was used to read blogs of French people living in the US. Too much US-bashing, I think. I like to read your blog. It reminds me that French are not perfect (by far) but it shows as well our good aspects.
I love France, I love the US, and their people, even if both countries are differents, as you would like two children with their weakness and their strength.
Thanks again.
From Sedulia:
Merci Celine!
Posted by: Celine | 16 January 2006 at 21:38
Pièces Jaunes started back when Francs were still in use. Back then the "centimes" (fractions of Francs) were all yellow coins. Since most of the "eurocents" are still yellow, I suppose they decided to keep the name. But that's the origin of the "Pièces Jaunes" term. I don't think anyone would call small change by that name in regular conversation.
From Sedulia:
Now they include one- and two-euro coins as pièces jaunes!
Posted by: Stephane | 18 January 2006 at 21:35