The Bank of France announced its partnership with the National Archives for an exhibition on counterfeiting, "Fakes and forgers, from the Middle Ages to the present day" ("Faux et faussaires, du Moyen Âge à nos jours"), running from 15 October 2025 to 2 February 2026. As part of the programme, the Bank of France will deliver a public workshop teaching how to identify counterfeit banknotes using the "TRI" method. The exhibition covers the concept of falsification in multiple forms, including counterfeit currency, forged papers, and counterfeit art, and will present around 15 case stories and more than 100 items, including original documents and interactive installations. The Bank of France’s workshop will focus on "Touch, Look, Tilt" (Toucher, Regarder, Incliner) to authenticate banknotes by eye, with practical demonstrations; its payments director general, Erick Lacourrège, linked the initiative to public awareness and security needs in a context where cash withdrawals continue to increase each year despite the growth of digital payments, while noting that counterfeiting remains low in volume and value.
Bank of France 2025-09-30
Bank of France partners with France's National Archives on counterfeiting exhibition and TRI banknote authentication workshop
The Bank of France, with the National Archives, announced an exhibition on counterfeiting, "Fakes and forgers, from the Middle Ages to the present day," from 15 October 2025 to 2 February 2026. The Bank will hold a public workshop on identifying counterfeit banknotes using the "Touch, Look, Tilt" method. Payments Director General Erick Lacourrège emphasized the initiative's role in enhancing public awareness and security amid rising cash withdrawals, despite low counterfeiting levels.