How to call France from the US: Everything you need to know

If you’re wondering how to call France from the US, you’re not alone. 

Businesses that operate internationally will, inevitably, have to make overseas phone calls. France is a popular choice for forging business relationships as it’s a thriving nation in Europe, with the seventh-highest GDP in the world.

If you want to learn how to call a number in France from the US, keep reading. This guide will teach you everything you need to know. Spoiler alert; the days of prepaid calling cards are—thankfully—long gone.

Things to consider when calling France

When calling France from the USA (or Canada), there are a few things to consider:

Time zones

France operates on Central European Time (CET), which is:

• Five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• Eight hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time (MST)
• Nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST)
• Seven hours ahead of Central Standard Time (CST)

It’s important to take time zones—and, specifically, time differences—into account before making any phone calls to France.

Business hours

French business hours can vary between the North and the South of France.

Northern France (where you’ll find cities like Paris, Reims, Rouen, Orleans, Troyes, and others) is more industrial and business-oriented, and business hours generally fall between standard nine-to-five or eight-to-four hours.

Southern France (where cities like Marseilles, Toulon, Nice, Valence, Toulouse, and others are located) is rural and therefore more relaxed. For businesses in the south of France, a web search for opening hours or a quick email asking the business owner will give you more information.

North or South, French employees value their lunch breaks, and you won’t find them taking calls at this time. Not only are you unlikely to get an answer, but it’s also considered bad etiquette to call between 12 PM and 2 PM. 

There are also strict laws in France about operating on a Sunday, and businesses must get permission to do so. So if you’re planning to call, it’s best to avoid Sundays altogether.

Etiquette

French business etiquette is generally formal. 

Any introductions should be made using your first and last name, and you should always address your conversation partners as Monsieur (Mr.) or Madame (Mrs.) [their surname]. Avoid using a person’s first name unless they give you permission to do so. 

Another etiquette consideration is work-life balance.

With French employees scoring high on the OECD Work-Life Balance Index, it’s considered bad etiquette to call outside of business and opening hours. Even if someone answers your call, you won’t be making the best impression.

Understanding France’s area codes

France has a country code and a number of area codes that specify which region you’re calling.

France’s country code is “33.”

The regional codes are as follows:

Here’s a more visual representation of the various regions and their calling codes:

Image source

Always double-check the specific region before you make a phone call, as some regions have overlaps or multiple region codes.

How do I call France from a US cell phone or landline?

If you’re wondering how to call France from the US on a cell phone or landline, the process is the same on either device.

Here are the steps:

1. Dial 011: This is known as the international access code (sometimes called an exit code)—it allows you to dial out of the US.
2. Dial France’s country code: “33”—this will get you into France.
3. Dial the correct area code: “1,” “ 2,” “3,” etc.—you don’t have to dial the “0” in this process.
4. Dial the local number you wish to reach.

So, if you were ringing a French phone number for a business in Paris, you’d dial: “011 – 33 – 1 – XXXXXXXXX” (“X” being the business’ phone number).

How do I call France from the US using the internet?

If you don’t want to use a cell phone or landline, there are other methods to call France from the US.

VoIP

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, does away with the traditional copper wires and cellular networks that landlines and mobile phones require.

Instead, VoIP technology uses the internet to connect your calls. It turns your voice into a data packet and transmits it through the internet, turning that data back into audio once it reaches its recipient. 

You can use VoIP on your computer, mobile device, or a special VoIP-enabled phone that looks like a regular landline. All you need is a high-speed internet connection, and if you’re using a computer or mobile device, you’ll need VoIP software and a working microphone.

Calling France from the US using VoIP is simple and can often work out cheaper than traditional methods.

Whether you’re using a landline, mobile device, or computer, the method is the same as before:

• • Dial an exit code: 011
  • Dial country code: 33
  • Dial area code
  • Dial the number you wish to reach

Video call

Like VoIP technology, video calls use the internet to transfer data from caller to recipient. As the name suggests, this includes video as well as voice.

Video calling apps range from free to paid, with varying levels of quality.

Many VoIP service providers offer video calling as part of their service. RingCentral RingEX includes video calling and integrations with other popular communication tools.

How much does it cost to call France from the US?

When calling France from the US, price is an important consideration for businesses. That’s why VoIP-based systems are increasingly popular with international companies, as their rates are generally more competitive.

For example, here are the international calling rates from the US to France if you’re a RingCentral subscriber:

Internet calling prices do vary according to which app and service you use. If you’re going to make calls to other countries from the US, make sure you check rates with your chosen VoIP provider.

How to call the US from France

Calling the US from France works similarly to calling France from the US:

• Dial the international or exit code from France: “00”
• Dial the US country code: “1”
• Dial the area code: Like France, the US has area codes to denote different regions. This code will have three digits. Since the US has hundreds of different regions and codes, you’ll have to look up the specific region you’re trying to reach. For example, Arkansas alone contains four different codes: 327, 479, 501, and 870.
• Dial the recipient’s phone number

A call from France to New York City would look like this: “00 – 1 – 212 – XXXXXXX” (with “X” being the recipient’s phone number).

Call France from the US with RingCentral

If you’re looking to cut costs and streamline your international calls, RingCentral offers a comprehensive suite of cloud-based communications solutions for every type of business.

RingCentral RingEX is a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform that allows you to call, video conference, send text messages, and fax from a single app.

Many modern businesses are going global, and they need better communications solutions, rather than expensive per-minute calls. RingCentral understands this, offering:

• An all-in-one internal and external communications solution
• The option to create a virtual phone number, keep your old phone number, or both
• Cost-effective international calling packages and subscriptions
• Reliability, with 99.999% uptime across 46 countries
• AI and personalized analytics to streamline communications and track business goals

For businesses with traditional PBX phone systems, upgrading couldn’t be more simple. RingCentral has migrated thousands of customers to cloud-based calling solutions with on-premises migration experts leading the way.

It’s never been easier to make an international business call from the US than with RingCentral.

FAQs about calling France from the US

How do I call France from the US for free?

Some apps offer free calls to France from the US as long as both you and your recipient have an account.

Apps like Skype, WhatsApp, Facetime, and Facebook Messenger allow users to make free international calls and video calls over the internet—but are very limited as apps for business use.

How do I call Paris, France from the US?

To call Paris, France from the US, you’ll need to:

• • Dial the US exit code: “011”
  • Dial France’s country code: “33”
  • Dial the Paris area code: “1”
  • Dial your recipient’s number

In short, you’d dial “011 – 33 – 1 – XXXXXXXXX.”

What is France’s dialing code?

France’s dialing code is “33.”

Do I need to dial “011” to call France?

“011” is the exit or international dialing code from the US. If you’re dialing out of the US and into France (or any other country), you’ll need to start your call by dialing “011.”

What’s the difference between an area code and an international dialing code?

An international dialing code, often called an exit code, is a number that tells your service you’re trying to dial out of the country. For example, the international dialing code for the US is “011.” France’s international dialing code is “00.”

An area code is a code within a country that denotes the region you’re trying to reach. Each country structures its area codes differently. For example, the US has three-digit codes. France’s codes only require one digit.

You’ll need both to make an international call.

Originally published Aug 15, 2024, updated Sep 02, 2024