Useful Numbers in Paris

When I travel, I always like to have control of unexpected events, for what I can. So, I provide myself with all the information and useful numbers I could ever need. Since I like to stay in contact with my family and some of my friends when I stay in Paris for a long time, I collected lots of useful numbers to keep in mind or in my notes.

Useful Numbers for telephone calls from Paris

Here what you have to keep in mind when you are looking for useful numbers to consult when you are in Paris. In other words, here’s how to call from Paris. All French numbers start with 06 or 07. They all are of 10 digits. When you need to call from France to other countries, just remember that you have to:

• Dial first the international code 00;
• Dial the number without the first 0. For example digit 0049 to call in Germany or 44 for the UK. 39 is for Italy and 34 for Spain. 19 is for the US and for Canada is 16.

If you need to call from abroad to France, just dial the international code 00 and then 33 for France. If something is not clear, this is an example of the typical French number: 00 33 140 00 00 00. Before coming to Paris, remember that if you are not an EU citizen, you could need a special offer to buy from your phone company. Plus, when you travel abroad, remember to bring with you an adapter. Hosts and hotels could have it too but to be sure you can buy it in advance for little money. Useful numbers are good to note down but it is also good to know everything about how much you will pay and how can you do to be prepared for every inconvenience.

Paris Emergency Numbers

When you are on holiday you may need helpful numbers you note down in advance. Don’t be unprepared and save this page so you can have these numbers available when you need. Before I go to Paris, I like to be sure that I have with me all I need. I think that there are some helpful numbers that I may need in case of emergency and some useful numbers that are good to know in any case, just like the ones for the utilities. Let’s figure out what are the most important ones to know! The emergency numbers that you can find here are the most common helpful numbers you may need in case of danger or if you don’t feel safe.

• 112: Universal European Emergency Services number – works from all phones including mobiles. A specially trained operator will answer and transfer the call to the most appropriate emergency service. Operators can answer not only in their national language but also in English or French. The operator can also identify where the caller is physically located and will pass it to the emergency personnel.

• 114: Emergency calls (hearing assisted) for any situations requiring fire/rescue, an ambulance, or the police

• 17: Police/Gendarmes – to report a crime that requires immediate police response
• Found items service of the commissariat de Paris 01.55.76.20.00
• Préfecture de Police 01 45311480

• 18: Emergencies – This number connects to the fire brigade (Sapeurs Pompiers) but they also deal with medical emergencies and should be the first port of call in life-threatening situations

• 15: Ambulance – Samu (for other urgent medical call-outs)

• 119: Reporting child abuse – to report a child in danger

• 196: Maritime Emergency / Coastguard – Sea and lake rescue

• 197: Terror/kidnapping hotline – Created in 2015, this number is for reporting events of terrorism or hostage-taking

• 01 40 05 48 48: Anti-poison centre

• 39 15: Late night chemist/duty pharmacy

• 01.42.25.49.95: Night pharmacy

• 36 24: SOS Médecins – medical services at home

• SOS Doctors in Paris : 01.47.07.77.77 or 0.820.332.424
• Dentists SOS: 01.43.37.51.00
• SOS Vet: 01 47 46 09 09

Embassies and Consulates numbers

You can’t imagine how these are helpful numbers when you are far from your home country! If you need to clarify something about your IDs or you have any doubts about something strange happening between you and the bureaucracy of the place you are visiting, just call the embassy or the consulate of your Country. Here you can find some of the numbers you may need.

• British Embassy (Paris) 01 44 51 31 00

• UK passport advice + 44 (0) 300 222 0000

• Irish, Paris: 01 44 17 67 00

• US, Paris: 01 43 12 22 22

• Canadian, Paris: 01 44 43 29 00

• Australian, Paris: 01 40 59 33 00

• NZ, Paris: 01 45 01 43 43

• South African, Paris: 01 53 59 23 23

Utility Numbers

If you think you are in danger because you are having some troubles with electricity, these are the helpful numbers you need to call:

• EDF: 24 hour breakdown line: 09 726 750 + your department number (eg 24 for the Dordogne)

If  you have gas and electricity emergencies, you may need the following numbers:

• Helpline in English +33 (0) 5 62 16 49 08

• Gas leaks  01 43 35 40 87

Telephone Calls, useful numbers

All French numbers have 10 digits and begin with 0. Mobile numbers start with 06 or 07.

France is divided into 5 geographical zones corresponding to five separate telephone codes: 01(Paris and the Paris region), 02 (north-west France, Reunion Islands and Mayotte), 03 (north-east France), 04 (south-east France) and 05 (south-west France and the Atlantic Ocean overseas territories).

Paris Taxi Numbers 

The numbers that you will surely need are 01 49361010 or 01 47394739.

Credit card emergency in Paris, helpful numbers

If you lost your credit card or you got it stolen, you may need to call the helpful number to act fast. Unfortunately, this kind of event could happen if you are in your hometown or if you are abroad. When you travel this may be more unsettling but here you can find all the info you need. Basing on your bank account you will need a different helpful number. Here you find the most common to call and where you can find the others.   The helpful number you need to call in case you lost your credit card varies on your bank. Just note down these, the most common ones, and discover where to find the others.

• American Express: 01.47.77.70.00 or 72.00
•  Diners clubs : 01.49.06.17.50 or 01.47.62.75.75 or 08.20.08.20.536
•  Eurocards/ Mastercards : 01.45.67.84.84
• VISA: 01.42.77.11.90 or 45.45 or 08.36.69.08.80 

You can find more and more information about what to do and who to call on the Paris city hall site. Speaking about money, remember that the currency used in France is the euro. The conversion rate varies on the day so just remember to check before leaving so you can have a more precise idea on how much are you paying.