Franc vs. Sou — What's the Difference?

The franc is any of various units of currency. One franc is typically divided into 100 centimes.

One of several coins formerly used in France, worth a small amount.

See Table at currency.

(historical) An old French copper coin equal to one twentieth of a livre or twelve deniers; one sou is to the livre as one shilling is to the pound.

The primary unit of currency in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Monaco before the adoption of the euro.

Cent; pocket money.

A former unit of currency of France, Belgium and Luxembourg, replaced by the euro.

(dated) A thing of the smallest value; a whit; a jot.

Any of several units of currency, some of which are multi-national (West African CFA Franc (XOF), Central African CFA Franc (XAF), the Swiss franc (CHF)) while others are national currencies.

An old French copper coin, equivalent in value to, and now displaced by, the five-centime piece (

A silver coin of France, and since 1795 the unit of the French monetary system. It has been adopted by Belgium and Swizerland. In 1913 it was equivalent to about nineteen cents American, or ten pence British, and is divided into 100 centimes.

A former French coin of low denomination; often used of any small amount of money;

The basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 centimes