France
The practical basics before you go: plugs, emergency numbers, money, tipping and the time.
The country in brief
About 68.7 million people live in France, on 551,695 km². The capital is Paris.
- Capital
- Paris
- Population
- 68,720,337
- Area
- 551,695 km²
- Official languages
- French
Facts change, so check the important things before you travel.
Population: World Bank, 2025 (CC BY 4.0). Capital, area and languages: Wikidata. Facts fetched October 30, 2026.
Before you go
Which plugs are used in France?
Sockets take plug type C/E, at 230 V and 50 Hz.
What is the emergency number in France?
Call 112 for police, ambulance and fire.
Do you tip in France?
A service charge is often included.
Which side of the road do they drive on in France?
Traffic drives on the right.
What currency is used in France?
Prices are in Euro (EUR).
What language do they speak in France?
Official languages: French.
How do I call a number in France from abroad?
To call a number there from abroad, start with +33.
Entry rules and travel advice
Visa rules depend on your passport and can change at short notice. Your own government keeps them up to date, so check its advice before you book.
Links checked October 30, 2026.
From my travels
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Paris, Montmartre, Louvre
29 February 2020, Paris, Montmartre, Louvre, Sacré-Cœur. I was awake from 04:30, but stayed in bed and slacked. I even watched some NHL on my laptop…
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Paris, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower
28 February 2020, Paris, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame. I woke up first at 01:45, then at 03:00, and lastly at 05:00, when I actually…
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Corsica Roadtrip
20 June 2014, Corsica, Bastia, Pisa, Livorno. In June 2014 I went for a two week long trip to Corsica with my friend Sharon from Malta. We had…