Six centuries after the first one was minted and a decade after they went out of circulation, the last French francs are being exchanged for euros.

The move severs France's final link to its former national currency.

The Banque de France set a deadline of the close of business today for French savers to exchange whatever leftover franc notes they have kept in drawers or under mattresses, whether held onto intentionally as souvenirs or simply forgotten about.

The euro replaced the franc in wallets and purses in January 2002, but the central bank has continued to accept francs in exchange for euros until now.

The franc's end comes as the euro suffers the worst crisis since its creation, and the once-taboo question of a eurozone break-up is now on the front pages.