So I'm still not certain anything of substance, regarding chip & signature in France, has been learned. The SNCF machine with the sign referred to taking "magnetic stripe" cards on "this" machine. There have been a number of posts over the years alluding to that rare machine found in an SNCF station that actually did take a mag strip (no chip) card. Is it now simply the case that they're being identified, or is SNCF installing or modifying machines? And/or were these machines actually requiring a chip but didn't care if chip & signature or pin?

The tollways are the other issue, with French tollways in the south taking any type of card, but not those around Paris.

And lastly, automated gas stations.

Just trying to get the definitive word on whether it makes sense for me to get a chip'd card before my trip to France in July. Guess it can't hurt...