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Key dialling codes to remember
How French Phone Numbers Are Formatted
All French phone numbers have 10 digits and start with a 0. They are written and read as five pairs of digits, for example 09 42 53 84 06. In conversation a French speaker will read this as five two-digit numbers: zero neuf, quarante-deux, cinquante-trois, quatre-vingt-quatre, zero six.
0X XX XX XX XX
There are no long-distance charges for calling fixed-line or mobile numbers within France from a French phone, with the exception of premium customer service numbers (some 08 prefixes and short 3X/4X numbers, which charge a per-minute rate).
The two-digit prefix (the first pair) tells you what kind of number it is and, for landlines, which region it covers. Corsica uses the special area code 495 within the 04 zone.
| Prefix | Type / Region |
|---|---|
| 01 | Ile-de-France (Paris and surrounding region) |
| 02 | Northwest France (Brest, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Nantes, Orleans, Rouen) |
| 03 | Northeast France (Boulogne, Calais, Dijon, Lille, Nancy, Strasbourg, Reims, Troyes) |
| 04 | Southeast France (Cannes, Grenoble, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Saint-Etienne, Toulon, Valence) |
| 05 | Southwest France (Bordeaux, Limoges, Lourdes, Toulouse) |
| 06 / 07 | Mobile phones (no geographic meaning) |
| 08 | Customer service and special numbers (some free, some premium) |
| 09 | VoIP and box-based numbers (charged like a local call) |
For a deep dive on what each 08 prefix actually costs, see our guide to English-speaking helplines in France, which lists every standard-rate and premium prefix.
How to Call France from Abroad
To dial a French number from outside France, follow three steps:
From any mobile phone you can skip the international access code and use + instead (press and hold the 0 key). The +33 format works from anywhere in the world and is the safest format to store contacts in.
| Calling from | How to dial 01 23 45 67 89 |
|---|---|
| Call France from the USA or Canada |
Landline011 33 1 23 45 67 89
Mobile+33 1 23 45 67 89
|
| Call France from the UK or Ireland |
Landline00 33 1 23 45 67 89
Mobile+33 1 23 45 67 89
|
| Call France from Australia |
Landline0011 33 1 23 45 67 89
Mobile+33 1 23 45 67 89
|
| Call France from the Philippines |
Landline00 33 1 23 45 67 89
Mobile+33 1 23 45 67 89
|
| Call France from the UAE |
Landline00 33 1 23 45 67 89
Mobile+33 1 23 45 67 89
|
Dialling a French mobile number (06 or 07) follows the same rule: drop the 0 and prepend +33. So a number written as 06 12 34 56 78 becomes +33 6 12 34 56 78 from abroad.
French phone number converter
Got a French number in front of you? Enter it in any format below to get its international (+33) version to dial from abroad, plus how it reads locally in France — with a one-click copy button.
Moving to France? Set Up Your French Phone and Utilities in English
Calling France is one thing, living in France is another. New arrivals usually need a French mobile plan, a broadband line and an electricity contract within their first weeks. Most French providers only support customers in French, which is where Selectra's English-speaking team comes in.
Already in France and ready to pick a SIM? Read our guide to getting a French SIM card for the cheapest no-commitment plans.
How to Call Abroad from France
The principle is the mirror image of the rule above:
Most French mobile plans now include unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles across the EU, USA and Canada. Outside that perimeter, call rates vary widely between operators. Check your plan's small print before dialling Asia, Africa or South America from a French SIM.
Calling the USA or Canada from France
North America uses country code 1. To call (555) 123-4567 from France, dial 00 1 555 123 4567 from a landline or +1 555 123 4567 from a mobile.
Calling Australia from France
Australia uses country code 61. Drop the leading 0 of the Australian number. To call (02) 1234 5678, dial 00 61 2 1234 5678 from a landline or +61 2 1234 5678 from a mobile.
European and Neighbouring Country Codes
Use this table when dialling from France: prefix each number with 00 (or + from a mobile), then the country code, then the local number without its leading 0.
For non-European destinations: USA and Canada use 1, China 86, India 91, Japan 81, Brazil 55, South Africa 27 and Australia 61. The full ITU list is published by your operator inside their roaming and international call rates table.