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France: plug type, voltage, driving side and emergency number
Quick travel facts for France (capital: Paris): which plug and voltage to pack for, which side of the road traffic uses, who to call in an emergency, and the calling code, currency and time zone. Data checked 2026-10-27.
Quick answers
What plug type does France use?
France uses type C and type E plugs and sockets. Type C is two round pins. Type E is two round pins with a hole for the socket's earth pin. All plug types by country.
What voltage does France use?
France uses a mains supply of about 230 V at 50 Hz. Voltage and frequency by country.
Which side of the road do they drive on in France?
In France, traffic drives on the right. Driving side by country.
What is the emergency number in France?
Emergency numbers in France: police 17; ambulance 15 or 112; fire 18 or 112. Other numbers may also work locally; we show only numbers that both of our sources list. Emergency numbers by country.
What is the calling code for France?
The international calling code for France is +33. Dial it after your international access prefix, or type + at the start on a mobile phone. Calling codes by country.
What currency does France use?
The official currency of France is the euro (EUR). Currency by country.
Do you tip in France?
Neither required nor expected. A service charge (usually 15 percent) is included in menu prices. After excellent service it is customary to round up. Summary of Wikipedia’s “List of tipping customs by country”; customs vary by venue. Tipping by country.
What are the official languages of France?
The official language of France is French.
What time zone is France in?
France uses UTC+01:00 as its standard time. Clocks change for daylight saving time in at least part of the country. Time zones by country.
France travel facts at a glance
| Plug types | Type C, Type E |
|---|---|
| Voltage and frequency | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Driving side | Drives on the right (right-hand traffic) |
| Emergency numbers | Police: 17 Ambulance: 15 or 112 Fire: 18 or 112 Other numbers may also work; only numbers both sources list are shown. |
| International dialling code | +33 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €) |
| Tipping | Neither required nor expected. A service charge (usually 15 percent) is included in menu prices. After excellent service it is customary to round up. |
| Official language | French |
| Time zone(s) | UTC+01:00 (standard time) |
| Daylight saving | Clocks change in at least part of the country |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a travel adapter for France?
You need one if your devices have plugs that do not fit type C and type E sockets. A travel adapter only changes the shape of the plug; it does not change the voltage.
Do I need a voltage converter for France?
Most phone, laptop and camera chargers accept 100 to 240 V, so a plug adapter is usually enough: check the small print on the charger. Devices rated for 110 to 120 V only, such as some hair dryers and kitchen appliances from North America, need a converter or should not be used.
Is this travel information official?
No. GeoKnow is an independent site. The facts come from public datasets and are shown only where at least two sources agree. Always check official government travel advice before you go.
When was this checked?
The data was checked on 2026-10-27. Plugs, emergency numbers and currencies can change, so confirm important details before travelling.
Check before you travel
Data checked 2026-10-27. These facts are compiled from public datasets and are shown only where at least two independent sources agree. GeoKnow is an independent site and is not an official source: rules, plugs, emergency numbers and currencies can change. Before you go, confirm anything important with your government’s travel advice, the destination’s embassy, your airline, hotel or phone provider. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
More about France
See the main France country page for the capital, population, land neighbours and outline map. Learn it, then test yourself: Capital Hunt (the capital of France is Paris), Outline, Guess the Flag, Neighbour Rush and Border Run, or browse all geography games.
Compare topics across countries: plug types, voltage and frequency, driving side, emergency numbers, calling codes, currencies, time zones and tipping.
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Sources: Plugs, voltage and frequency: Wikipedia “Mains electricity by country” and worldstandards.eu. Driving side: Wikipedia “Left- and right-hand traffic” and Wikidata. Emergency numbers: Wikipedia “List of emergency telephone numbers” and Wikidata. Calling codes: Wikipedia “List of telephone country codes”, Wikidata and REST Countries. Currency: REST Countries and Wikidata. Languages: REST Countries and Wikidata. Time zones: the IANA time zone database, cross-checked against Wikipedia or Wikidata. Tipping: Wikipedia “List of tipping customs by country” (single source, community edited).