19. Cash and cash equivalents

(in millions of euros)

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Cash and bank balances

565

709

The cash and bank balances are at the free disposal of the company, with the exception pf €101 million (€62 million as at 31 December 2016). The Group's interest rate risk and a sensitivity analysis for financial assets and liabilities are given in note 26.

Accounting policies

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at fair value, which is normally the same as the nominal value.