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How to Call France From the US: Complete Guide (+33)
Table of Contents
How to Dial France From the US
France uses the country code +33. French phone numbers are 10 digits locally, starting with 0. Drop the leading 0 when calling from the US.
Dialling Format
From a US phone: 011 + 33 + 9-digit number (without leading 0)
From a mobile with + dialling: +33 + 9-digit number (without leading 0)
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All French numbers are 10 digits locally (0X XX XX XX XX). When calling from the US, drop the first 0 to get 9 digits.
Example Calls
French Area Codes
France uses a simple geographic numbering system:
Cost Comparison: Calling France
Best Time to Call France
France is in Central European Time (CET, UTC+1), same as Germany. Summer time is CEST (UTC+2).
- 6 hours ahead of ET: 9 AM in New York = 3 PM in Paris
- 9 hours ahead of PT: 9 AM in LA = 6 PM in Paris
- Business hours: 9 AM - 6 PM CET (3 AM - 12 PM ET)
- Best overlap: 10 AM - 12 PM ET catches French afternoon (4-6 PM)
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The French take lunch seriously β typically 12 PM to 2 PM. Avoid calling businesses during this window.
Tips for Calling France
- Long lunch breaks: French businesses often close for lunch from 12-2 PM. Call in the morning or after 2 PM local time.
- August vacations: Many French businesses close or reduce hours in August. Plan accordingly.
- WhatsApp is common: WhatsApp is widely used in France. For personal calls, try WhatsApp first.
- Overseas territories: French territories like Martinique (+596), Guadeloupe (+590), and RΓ©union (+262) have separate country codes β do not use +33 for these.
- Formal phone etiquette: Start with "Bonjour" when calling. Even basic French courtesy goes a long way.
Summary
To call France from the US, dial 011 + 33 + 9-digit number (without leading 0). BubblyPhone offers $0.01/min rates. France is 6 hours ahead of ET. Avoid calling during lunch (12-2 PM French time) and the month of August.
