Free Call to France from US — $0.03/min (2026)
Call France free with WhatsApp (33M+ users) or FaceTime. Calling a French number? BubblyPhone $0.03/min for mobiles, Google Voice $0.01/min for landlines. +33 dialing guide, area codes, lunch hour tips.
France is affordable to call from the US — VoIP rates start at just over a penny per minute. And if both people use WhatsApp or iMessage, it's completely free. France has excellent mobile infrastructure and high smartphone adoption, so app-based calls work beautifully.
Whether you're calling family in Paris, a hotel in Nice, or a business in Lyon, here's every option from free to the cheapest paid rates.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. No charges, no limits.
1. WhatsApp — Dominant in France
WhatsApp has over 33 million users in France — about half the population. Voice and video calls are free and work well on France's 4G/5G networks. This is the go-to for personal calls with French contacts.
2. iMessage & FaceTime — Very Popular in France
France has a strong iPhone user base (~35%), and the French love iMessage. FaceTime audio and video calls are free between Apple users. Many French people prefer iMessage over SMS by default.
Pro tip: If your French contact uses an iPhone, FaceTime audio is often the cleanest, simplest option — no extra app needed on either side.
3. Facebook Messenger
Still widely used in France for both messaging and voice/video calls. Free and easy if you're already connected on Facebook. Popular among older demographics.
4. Signal — Growing Privacy Choice
Signal has been growing in France, especially after WhatsApp's privacy controversies. Free encrypted voice and video calls. Popular with tech-savvy and privacy-conscious French users.
Calling French Phone Numbers — Very Affordable
France is a major destination for US callers, so VoIP competition keeps rates low:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | $0.03/min | $0.01/min | Cheapest for landlines — US Google account required |
| BubblyPhone | $0.03/min | $0.03/min | Browser, iOS, Android — same rate for mobile & landline |
| Rebtel | $0.05/min | $0.01/min | Unlimited plans available |
| Viber Out | $0.023/min | $0.03/min | Convenient if already on Viber |
| KeepCalling | $0.03/min | $0.03/min | Good value for landlines |
| AT&T / Verizon | $1.00-3.50/min | $1.00-3.50/min | Up to 250x more expensive |
Our honest take: Google Voice is cheapest for French landlines at $0.02/min. BubblyPhone's advantage is the flat $0.03/min rate for both mobile and landline — no guessing which type of number you're calling. For French mobile numbers, BubblyPhone is actually cheaper than Google Voice ($0.014 vs $0.02).
How to Dial France from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 33 + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+33 + number
# Example — calling a Paris landline:
+33 1 42 68 53 00
# Example — calling a French mobile:
+33 6 12 34 56 78
# Example — calling Lyon:
+33 4 72 10 30 30
Important: French numbers start with 0 domestically. When dialing from the US, drop the leading 0. So 06 12 34 56 78 becomes +33 6 12 34 56 78. Mobile numbers start with 06 or 07.
Area Codes by Region
- Paris & Ile-de-France: 01
- Northwest (Normandy, Brittany): 02
- Northeast (Alsace, Lorraine): 03
- Southeast (Lyon, Marseille, Nice): 04
- Southwest (Bordeaux, Toulouse): 05
- Overseas territories: 0590-0596
Carriers & Mobile Prefixes
- 06XX: Mobile numbers (all carriers)
- 07XX: Newer mobile numbers
- Orange: Largest carrier, best coverage
- SFR: Second largest
- Bouygues Telecom: Third carrier
- Free Mobile: Budget disruptor, excellent 5G
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family or friends in France
WhatsApp or FaceTime — free, and most French people are on at least one. WhatsApp is the safest bet since it works on both iPhone and Android.
Calling a French business or restaurant
BubblyPhone ($0.03/min) or Google Voice ($0.01/min landlines). A 15-minute call to book a restaurant in Paris costs about $0.21 with BubblyPhone.
Calling a French mobile without WhatsApp
BubblyPhone ($0.03/min) beats Google Voice ($0.02/min) for mobile numbers. No Google account needed — just open the browser and dial.
Planning a trip to France
Save BubblyPhone for calling hotels, Airbnb hosts, and local businesses. Works from your browser — no French SIM needed.
Tips for Calling France
- Don't call French businesses between 12-2 PM — many French offices close for a proper lunch break, especially outside Paris. This is deeply cultural, not a stereotype. Call before noon or after 2:30 PM local time
- France is 6 hours ahead of EST (CET, UTC+1, same as Germany). In summer it's CEST (UTC+2). Noon in New York = 6 PM in Paris. The sweet spot for personal calls is 6-8 PM EST (midnight-2 AM is too late)
- Skype shut down in 2025 — if you used Skype to call French landlines, switch to BubblyPhone ($0.03/min) or Google Voice ($0.01/min for landlines)
- French voicemail greetings are in French — don't be surprised. The beep is the same worldwide. Leave your message after it, or try calling back later
- 08 numbers (toll-free/premium) — French 08 numbers may not be reachable from international VoIP. 0800/0805 are free domestically. If you can't reach one, look for an alternative landline number starting with 01-05
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call France for free from the US?
What is the cheapest way to call a French phone number?
What is the country code for France?
What replaced Skype for calling France?
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Call France for $0.03/min
Open BubblyPhone in your browser and dial +33. No app needed.
Try Free — Call France Now