French Phone Numbers
Calling a French number isn’t difficult, but there are certain things you must know before you do so. The great news is that it does not matter where you are in the world because you dial a French number the same way everywhere. However, it differs depending on whether you are calling from a French or a foreign phone service provider. It may also vary depending on whether you call from a mobile phone or a landline.
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How To Recognize A French Phone Number
A typical number has ten digits divided into two-digit intervals.
When the French give out their numbers, they tend to say each two-digit number as its number rather than saying each number separately.
For example, in the United States or Canada, you would pronounce the number 555-4983 as:
- Five, five, five, four, nine, eight, three
In France, however, you’d say the French number 49 06 27 32 13 is:
- quarante-neuf (49), zero, six (06), vingt-sept (27), trente-deux (32), treize (13)
This is the same as saying
- forty-nine (49), zero, six (06), twenty-seven (27, thirty-two (32), thirteen (13)
If you’re new to learning French, it can be difficult to learn how to give (or understand) French phone numbers in this manner. It’s just one more reason to learn how to count in French.
Occasionally, you may be given a number without the first zero (6 45 27 32 13). You’ll understand why this isn’t a big deal in a moment.
What Is France’s Country Code?
To call France from outside of France, dial +33 or 0033 if you cannot dial +33. (such as on a landline.)
Calling French Numbers From A Mobile Phone
Simply follow the steps below to call a French phone number from a mobile device.
1. Dial “+” before anything else to make this an international call rather than a local or domestic call.
2. Dial the country code for France, 33.
3. Dial the French number you have, but leave out the first “0”.
So, using the previous phone number, we would dial +33 6 49 27 32 13.
Calling French Numbers From A Landline
Calling French numbers from a landline isn’t much different than calling from a cell phone.
The only difference is that you would dial “00” instead of “+” at the start because dialing “+” is usually not possible on a landline.
1. Dial “00” before anything else to indicate that this is an international call rather than a local or domestic call.
2. Dial the country code for France, 33.
3. Dial the French number you have, but leave out the first “0”.
Calling French Numbers With A French Mobile Phone
If you live in France and have a French phone provider, simply enter the phone number exactly as you received it(including the “0” at the start).
So, if you’re given the French phone number 06 49 27 32 13, just type it into your phone, and you’re good to go.
French Area Codes By Region
In France, most phone numbers begin with “06,” but this is not true for all French numbers.
The first two digits of a French phone number are the area code, with 06 and 07 reserved for mobile phones.
Because we live in a world where mobile phones outnumber landlines, you’ll see these numbers more than others.
Below are the different area codes for other areas of France.
- 01 – Île-de-France (This area is where Paris is located)
- 02 – Code for Northwest France
- 03 – Code for Northeast France
- 04 – Code for Southeast France
- 05 – Code for Southwest France
- 06 – Code for Mobile Phone Services
- 07 – Code for Mobile Phone Services
- 08 – Code for Shared Cost Services and Freephone (toll-free numbers)
- 09 – Code for Non-geographic numbers such as those used by VOIP services)
Calling Outside Of Metropolitan France
Like many other countries, France is more than just the hexagon-shaped country in the Western part of Europe that we all love and know.
Many overseas territories have their country codes (départements d’outre mer).
These overseas territories are referred to differently depending on whether you are entirely in Metropolitan France (continental France) or outside of France.
You will notice that the country and area codes are often interchangeable.
When calling from France, the country code is replaced by “0”. Of course, you must still dial the area code.
Calling French Guiana
French Guiana’s country code is +594, and the area code is 594. The area code switches to 694 if you’re calling a mobile device, but the country code does not change.
Calling a Landline Number From France
0 594 ** ** **
Calling a Mobile Device From France
0 694 ** ** **
Calling a Landline Number From Outside of France
+594 594 ** ** **
Calling a Mobile Device From France
+594 694 ** ** **
Calling Martinique
Martinique’s country code is +596, and the area code is 596. When calling a mobile device, the area code changes to 696 (or 697), but the country code does not.
Calling a Landline From France
0 596 ** ** **
Calling a Mobile Device From France
0 696 ** ** ** or 0 697 ** ** **
Calling a Landline From Outside France
+596 596 ** ** **
Calling a Mobile Device From Outside of France
+596 696 ** ** ** or +596 697 ** ** **
Calling Reunion
Martinique’s country code is +262, so the area code is also 262. (you can also use 263). When calling a mobile device, the area code changes to 692 (or 693), but the country code remains unchanged.
Calling a Landline From France
0 262 ** ** ** or 0 263 ** ** **
Calling a Mobile Device From France
0 692 ** ** ** or 0 693 ** ** **
Calling a Landline From Outside France
+262 262 ** ** ** or +262 263 ** ** **
Calling a Mobile Device From Outside of France
+262 692 ** ** ** or +262 693 ** ** **
Calling Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, And Saint-Barthélemy
The codes for Saint-Martin, Guadeloupe, and Saint-Barthélemy are all the same. When calling a mobile device, the country and area code is +590, which changes to +690 or +691.
Calling a Landline From France
0 590 ** ** **
Calling a Mobile Device From France
0 690 ** ** ** or 0 691 ** ** **
Calling a Landline From Outside France
+590 590 ** ** **
Calling a Mobile Device From Outside of France
+590 690 ** ** ** or +590 691 ** ** **
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Typical Phone Number In France?
A standard French phone number has ten digits, for example, 01 40 25 08 08. Numbers in travel guides are sometimes written for those calling from abroad. In that case, the initial “0” is removed, and the French international prefix “33” is added, resulting in +331 40 25 08 08.
How Do You Call A +33 Number?
Simply follow these dialing instructions to call France from the United States: To begin, dial 011, the US exit code. Then dial 33, the French country code. Finally, call the number (9 digits).
Are French Phone Numbers Ten Digits?
French overseas departments, Metropolitan France, and some overseas collectivities use the French telephone numbering plan. France employs a ten-digit closed numbering scheme, with the first two digits indicating a geographic area, mobile number, or non-geographic number.
How Are French Phone Numbers Written?
Regular French phone numbers have ten digits. They are usually written in pairs, separated by spaces or periods. The first two digits are a prefix that gives information about the type and location of the number, and the remaining eight digits are the phone number.
How Do I Add A France Number To Whatsapp?
Open the address book on your phone. Begin entering the contact’s phone number with a plus sign (+). Enter the country code, and then enter the full phone number in front of it. To call another country, a country code has to be entered before the full national contact number. It is a numerical prefix.
Why Can’t I Call A French Number?
The country code of France is 33, so you need to dial +33 or 0033 to call French numbers from abroad.
Final Words
Calling French phone numbers (or any other international phone number) isn’t difficult; you just need to know what to dial, given your specific circumstances.
Hopefully, you now have a quick reference guide to use whenever you need to call someone in France.