How to Call France from the US + Calling Card & VoIP Guide

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Make an international call to France with ease using this article
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Placing a call to France from the United States may seem complicated, but it’s actually really simple. Modern communications technology has provided you with several options to make an international call easily and affordably. Whether you are calling from a landline or cellphone, using a prepaid calling card, or making a call over the internet, there are a few steps you need to follow in order to successfully place a call to France.

Quick Steps

  1. Dial 011, the exit code for the US (or a + if you're using a cell phone).
  2. Dial 33, France's country code.
  3. Dial the French area code, but drop any leading zeroes.
  4. Dial the 8-digit phone number.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Landline or Cell Phone

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  1. In order to call outside of the country from a landline, you first have to dial the exit code, which is 011 for the US. To call out of the country from a cell phone, you first have to dial the + symbol, which can be done by long pressing the "0" key. You cannot call France from the US without first entering the exit code. [1]
    • If you have a cell phone from the US and you are trying to call someone with a US number who is in France, you don't need to dial the exit code. You can just call them as you would normally.
  2. After you’ve dialed the exit code, enter France's country code, which is 33 . If you don’t enter the country code, your call cannot be placed. Enter the wrong code, and you could end up calling the wrong country! [2]
    • If you do accidentally enter the wrong country code, you’ll need to hang up and start the process over by first dialing the exit code.
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  3. France is divided into 5 telephone areas that each have their own area code: 01, 02, 03, 04, and 05. [3] However, when dialing from outside of France, you must drop the 0.
    • Area code 01 covers Île-de-France (or the area around Paris), 02 covers northwest France, 03 covers northeast France, 04 covers southeast France, and 05 covers southwest France.
    • There is also an area code 08, but this is reserved for special numbers like corporate numbers, toll free numbers, and premium rate numbers. Make sure you’re not being charged extra without your knowledge if you dial a 08 area code in France.
    • 09 is the area code reserved for internet access providers.
  4. Phone numbers in France have 8 digits after the area code. They are usually written as pairs of numbers. [4]

    Sample Phone Call from the US to Paris, France

    Dial 011 33 1 22 33 44 55 : 011 is the US exit code, the 33 is the country code for France, the 1 is the area code for Paris, and the remaining 8 digits are the specific phone number you are calling. Note: if you're using a cell phone, you can dial a + instead of 011.

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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Prepaid Calling Card

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  1. You can find prepaid calling cards for sale at department stores and large chain stores like Walmart, Target, and Costco. Before you purchase a card, review the terms and fees on the packaging and check the per-minute rate for making calls to France. Just because one card is cheaper than another does not mean you’re getting a better deal. [5]
    • Compare the rates of different cards to find the best option for your needs.
    • Check to see if there is an expiration date. If there is, make sure you will use the card before it expires.
  2. Before you call to activate the card, locate the pin number on the card. You will most likely be asked to provide the PIN, so you’ll want to have the number handy. Most calling cards list the PIN on the back of the card, beneath a silver coating that you may need to scratch off. [6]
    • Some calling cards may only list the PIN number on the receipt of purchase.
    • Online calling cards may provide a PIN or ask you to create one. Make sure you don’t forget or lose it!
  3. To begin placing a call to France from the US using a calling card, you need to dial the access number listed on the card. It may be on the front or back of the card and will most likely be an 800 number. Call the number and enter your PIN when prompted. [7]
  4. Once you have called the access number, entered your PIN, dialed 011, and 33, you can then dial the phone number you are trying to reach. Start with the area code then enter the remaining 8 digits to place your call. [8]
    • There may be a brief pause or a voice message stating that the call is being connected.

    Tip: France is 6 hours ahead of the US East Coast and 9 hours ahead of the West Coast. Be aware of the time difference when you are placing a call to France!

  5. You will want to track the minutes you spend on each phone call so you know how much you have remaining on your card. If you’re using a landline, you can keep a pen and paper by the phone to note the time you started your call and the time you ended so you can monitor the minutes you used. Many cell phones will tell you how much time you’ve spent on the call, so you can note the time spent after you hang up the call. [9]
    • Some calling cards have a number you can call to check your remaining time balance.
    • You can also refill some calling cards over the phone or online using a credit or debit card.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using the Internet

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  1. Many phone services use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to place international calls. Companies like Vonage and Magic Jack provide services that allow you to place calls to France much more cheaply than many traditional phone companies. Because they use the internet to place calls, you can call from a computer, a smart phone, or a traditional phone. [10]
    • If you are calling a landline or cell phone in France, you will need to dial 33 (the country code for France), the area code, and then the phone number to connect.
    • You will need a special adapter to use a landline to place VoIP calls.

    Tip: You can also place VoIP calls using wireless internet, so as long as you have WiFi, you can make a call to France!

  2. If you have a smartphone, there are several applications that you can use to make calls to France. Skype and WhatsApp are two very popular apps that you can download to make calls to other phones. You may have to pay to download the app, but you will be able to make calls for free after you have the app downloaded. Download an application from your phone’s marketplace application. [11]
    • Many social media platforms, like Facebook, allow you to call other people by using their application to call another user’s profile.
    • Some apps will only allow you to call other users of the app rather than placing a call to a landline or cell phone.
    • If you are using an app to call a cell phone or landline in France, you will need to dial the US exit code (011) and the country code for France (33) before you dial the area code and phone number.
  3. You can use a video chat service to make free calls to anyone in France who has the ability to video chat. Most smartphones have features to allow you to make video calls, as long as you are connected to the internet. You can use a webcam to make video calls over the internet from your computer. [12]
    • For video call programs like FaceTime, you do not need to enter an exit code, but you do need to enter the country code (33 for France) as a prefix to the phone number to place a video call.
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      Warnings

      • Your phone company may charge extra for you to make calls to France. Check with your phone service provider to see if they charge a premium to make international calls.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/france/
      2. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/france/
      3. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/france/
      4. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/france/
      5. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/05/shop-wisely-when-buying-prepaid-phone-cards/index.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/05/shop-wisely-when-buying-prepaid-phone-cards/index.htm
      7. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/05/shop-wisely-when-buying-prepaid-phone-cards/index.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/france/
      9. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/prepaid-phone-cards-what-consumers-should-know
      1. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/general/voice-over-internet-protocol-voip
      2. ↑ https://www.fodors.com/news/how-to-use-skype-to-save-on-international-calls-4687
      3. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-whatsapp-video-calls-ios-android-windows-free-launch-1-billion-users-2016-11

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