It's likely that you overlooked a little but crucial item if you've ever attempted to call France and received an error tone: the country code for France. Knowing how to dial France right is crucial whether you're making reservations for a stay on the French Riviera, calling a buddy in Paris, or a client in Lyon. Read on to learn about French area codes.
Understanding the country code for France
French phone number format
How to call France
French area code
Final dialing tips
FAQ – Country code for France & dialing explained
Understanding the country code for France
For international calls, each nation has a distinct number; the country code for France is +33. This straightforward code guarantees that your call will be sent straight to the French network via international lines. Your call won't be able to reach anyone outside of your own nation without it.
Always keep in mind that the French country code comes before the local number when making international phone calls. Practically speaking, this means that your call should begin with the exit code for your country (for instance, 00 in most of Europe or 011 in the U.S.), followed by 33 and the remaining digits in the French phone number format.
Here’s how it looks in real life:
+33 1 44 55 66 77 – this could be a Paris landline.
+33 6 12 34 56 78 – this is a French mobile number.
Notice something? Once you add the France dialing code, you must drop the leading zero that appears in local French numbers. So, a number written in France as 06 12 34 56 78 becomes +33 6 12 34 56 78 when dialed from abroad.
French phone number format
Once you get used to it, the French phone number format is straightforward and constant. In France, every number has ten digits. Only calls made within France utilise the first one, a 0. The kind of number is indicated by the second digit:
| First Digit / Area Code | Type / Major City | Example (National Format) | Example (International Format) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landline in Paris region / Paris and Île-de-France | 01 23 45 67 89 | +33 1 45 67 89 01 |
| 2 | Landline in North-West France / Brittany, Normandy | 02 12 34 56 78 | +33 2 22 33 44 55 |
| 3 | Landline in North-East France / Alsace, Lorraine | 03 11 22 33 44 | +33 3 99 88 77 66 |
| 4 | Landline in South-East France / Lyon, Marseille, Nice | 04 55 66 77 88 | +33 4 55 66 77 88 |
| 5 | Landline in South-West France / Toulouse, Bordeaux | 05 98 76 54 32 | +33 5 44 33 22 11 |
| 6 or 7 | Mobile phone numbers | 06 12 34 56 78 | +33 6 12 34 56 78 |
| 8 | Special or toll-free services | 08 00 12 34 56 | +33 8 00 12 34 56 |
| 9 | VoIP or Internet-based calls | 09 87 65 43 21 | +33 9 87 65 43 21 |
Dial the remainder of the number after removing the 0 and substituting the France calling code (+33) for making international calls.
How to call France
Simply follow these easy instructions if you're wondering how to call France from overseas:
- Dial your country’s exit code – for example, 011 (U.S. and Canada), or 00 (Europe).
- Enter the France dialing code – that’s 33.
- Add the French area code (without the initial 0).
- Finish with the local subscriber number.
That’s it! For example, to call Paris, you’d dial: +33 1 followed by the subscriber number.
To call Marseille, use: +33 4 then the rest of the number.
Additionally, depending on the operator, just begin with +33 6 or +33 7 to contact a French mobile number.
More about France:
French area code
Area codes (or préfixes géographiques) are an important part of the French phone number format. They help direct your call to the correct region. Here’s a quick reference table:
| Major city | French area code | Example number |
|---|---|---|
| Paris and Île-de-France | 1 | +33 1 45 67 89 01 |
| Brittany, Normandy | 2 | +33 2 22 33 44 55 |
| Alsace, Lorraine | 3 | +33 3 99 88 77 66 |
| Lyon, Marseille, Nice | 4 | +33 4 55 66 77 88 |
| Toulouse, Bordeaux | 5 | +33 5 44 33 22 11 |
Calling France is efficient and standardised since each code represents a wide geographic area rather than a single city.
Final dialing tips
To make sure your France calling experience is smooth:
- Double-check the France calling code (+33).
- Remove the first zero of the local number.
- Confirm you have international calling enabled by your provider.
- Use Wi-Fi or VoIP calls to save money when making cheap calls to France.
Using the proper French phone number format ensures that your call will connect straight away, whether you're making a business call to Paris, speaking with pals in Marseille, or contacting a French cell number in Lyon.
FAQ – Country code for France & dialing explained
Do I always remove the “0” when using the French dialing code +33?
Yes – when you add the country code for France (+33), you drop the leading “0” from the French area code or French mobile number. So a local number like 06 12 34 56 78 becomes +33 6 12 34 56 78.
What is the French country code?
The French country code, or France code, is +33.
How many digits does a French number have?
French numbers use a closed 10-digit format. Locally you dial ten digits (starting with 0); internationally you use +33 and then nine more digits (dropping the 0).
What is a French area code / geographic phone prefix?
After the initial 0, the next digit (1 through 5) indicates one of five geographic zones:
- 1 = Île-de-France (Paris)
- 2 = Northwest France
- 3 = Northeast France
- 4 = Southeast France
- 5 = Southwest France
So if you see a number starting with 01, 02, …, you know which region it comes from.
What prefixes do French mobile numbers use?
Mobile numbers in France start with 06 or 07 (after the 0). When you call from abroad, you drop the 0 and dial +33 6… or +33 7…
How to call France from abroad step by step?
1) Dial your country’s international exit code (e.g. 00 or +) 2) Dial 33 (the France country code) 3) Dial the French number without the leading 0 (so area or mobile code + subscriber number)
What about toll-free, VoIP, or special numbers in France?
Some French calls use prefixes 08 or 09 for free or non-geographic services (VoIP, shared cost). These may not always work or be free when dialed from outside France.
Why can’t I call a French number even though I used +33?
Common mistakes include:
- Forgetting to drop the 0
- Dialing the wrong international exit code
- The number might be in an overseas French territory with a different country code
- Your phone plan might not include global calls
