Calling France from the USA: A Complete Guide

You’re curled up with coffee in Chicago, staring at the photo your son texted from Lyon: his tiny dorm room, a baguette on the desk. Has he eaten real food yet?

Or maybe you’re in Denver, sunset spilling over your laptop as you finalize that dream vineyard tour in Bordeaux. Did Madame Dubois get your deposit? Should you call?

That tug in your chest to hear a voice, share news, or just ask “Did you find the keys under the flowerpot?” deserves a simple solution. No maze of codes. No holding your breath when the bill arrives.

Let’s walk through this side-by-side. No jargon. No panic. Whether you’re dialing a bookshop in Paris or your friend’s mobile in a Provençal olive grove, you’ll hang up feeling like you reached across the table… not across an ocean.

Basic Dialing Format to Call France from the USA

Remember mailing letters as a kid? Addressing an envelope to France needed “AIR MAIL” and extra stamps. Calling works the same way:

• USA’s Exit Code 011: The international code 011 tells the system: “This call’s going international.”
• France’s Country Code 33: Every country has a unique ID, France’s is 33. It routes your call past borders.
• France’s Area Code: The two digit codes (01 for Paris and Paris Region, 03 for Northeast France) narrow the search to a specific region.
• Enter the Local Number: French numbers start with a 0 (like 01 for Paris or 07 for mobiles). When calling abroad, drop that first 0.

The “Why” Behind the Numbers

Ever wonder why that first 0 disappears? In France, the 0 is like dialing “1” before a U.S. area code—it tells the local network, “This is a domestic call.” When calling from overseas, the country code (33) replaces it. Think of it like removing an “internal use only” sticker before mailing a package abroad.

How to Call French Landlines from the USA?

The process is the same, you just must add the 2-digit area code after the 33-country code. The area code is followed by the local French number.

French landlines have the following 2-digit area codes:

• 01 = Paris
• 02, 03 = Northwest France (Normandy, Brittany)
• 04 = Southeast (Provence, French Alps)
• 05 = Southwest (Bordeaux, Toulouse)

How to Call France from the USA?

Let’s transform codes into connection. Follow these steps like giving directions to a friend:

1. Dial Exit Code for the USA

Dial the USA exit code. It may differ for landlines and mobile phones:

• If using a landline, lift the receiver and dial 011 with deliberate pauses between numbers. On your mobile, hold the ‘0’ until + appears, a small digital handshake with global networks.

2. Enter the Country Code of France

Type 33 after entering the exit code. This tells the operator that the call is directed to France 

3. Dial the French Area Code

Dial the area code carefully. This is different for every region in France.

4. Add the Local French Phone Number

Enter the local French number. Double-check to ensure that there are no mistakes in the in the number you are dialing.

5. Tap Call

Tap the call icon on your phone’s dialer to make the call.

France’s International Dialing Code

The international France’s country code is +86 that routes calls to France’s telecommunications network. Like in this case when making a phone call from the USA to France.

Examples of Calling Landline and Mobile Numbers

Let’s walk through calling France like you’d explain it to a friend. Whether reaching a landline or mobile, just remember the pattern:

Popular Area Codes of France

Here are some of the popular area codes in France. For other cities, refer to a comprehensive area code directory.

Time Zone Differences Between France and the USA

Picture this: You’re in Phoenix, finishing dinner at 7 PM. In Paris? It’s 3 AM. Your cheerful “Bonjour!” might not be appreciated. Here’s how to avoid time zone blunders:

France Runs on Central European Time (CET)

• 6 hours ahead of New York (EST)
• 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles (PST)
• 7 hours ahead of Chicago (CST)

Golden Hours to Make Calls

Daylight Saving Quirk (March-October)

France shifts to CEST (UTC+2), widening the gap:

• New York → Paris: 7 hours
• LA → Paris: 10 hours

That 9 AM LA coffee break? It’s 7 PM in France, still okay for friends, but avoid business calls.

Costs Breakdown when Calling from the USA to France

Here is a cost breakdown that shows how much you pay per minute of you calls:

How to Call France from USA using Talk Home App?

You can call France from the USA using the Talk Home App in these simple steps:

1. Download: Install from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Add Credits: Purchase via PayPal or Visa/Mastercard.
3. Dial: Enter +33 and the full French number (e.g., +33 23 45 67 89).
4. Call: Make a call to France and connect instantly, no Wi-Fi required.

By using the Talk Home App and following these simple steps, you can call any number in France from the USA at the most affordable rates on the market.

Wrapping It Up

To wrap up, when you hang up after that first successful call to France, something shifts.  You get a clear path carved through the static distance.

You now hold the keys to effortless connection:

• Start with 011, your USA exit code.
• Add 33 – France’s country code.
• Add the area code you are calling in case of landlines.
• Dial the local number (skip that first 0).

Note: Skip the area code when calling from a mobile phone.

Frequently Asked Questions