Emergency numbers in France
We hope you have a great time in France wherever you are staying and whatever you are doing. However sometimes things can go wrong at home or while travelling. If you were to be in an emergency situation, here’s a list of contacts we hope will help.
Firstly ensure it is safe to make a call, if you are not clear if it’s an emergency, try check with a local pharmacy, depending on condition of the injured. They are professionally trained for emergency situations, including for first aid, bites, poisoning …
Note that it’s really important that you able to indicate your exact location. Some people use the what3words app, an easy and efficient way to say and share accurate location with a combination of three words. Be prepared to speak in French.
For serious medical emergencies and accidents
- Police/Gendarmerie – dial 13 (from a French phone or a landline)
- Medical Emergencies/Samu – dial 15 (from a French phone or landline)
- Fire Emergencies/Pompiers – dial 18 (from a French phone or landline)
DIAL 112 for the whole of the EU and Europe – English speak service
112 is a free emergency number that can be dialled from any landline or mobile phone.
Operators are English speakers who will connect you to the appropriate local services.
Do not call 911, this will not work in France (and in most European countries).
Additional emergency numbers
Call the following services from a French landline or public phone :
To find a duty Pharmacy in your local area dial 3237
- For the Medical advice line (SOS Médecins) dial 08 20 33 24 24
- For Dental emergencies call SOS dentists on 01 43 37 51 00 (Paris)
- For the Child Abuse hotline dial 119, for children, teenagers & adults up to 21.
- For the Abused Women Helpline dial 3919
- For the Red Cross hotline (La Croix Rouge) dial 0800 858 858
- For the SPA – Animal protection, equivalent to RSPCA dial 01 43 80 40 66
For credit and bank cards
- To report a lost or stolen Visa Card dial 08 00 90 11 79
- To report a lost or stolen Mastercard dial 08 00 90 13 87
- To report a lost or stolen Amex card dial 01 47 77 72 00
Emergency with gas and electricity
For EDF emergencies dial 01 43 35 40 86
Engie – Emergency contact for gas leaks/problems
Dial 0800 473 333 or 01 40 33 80 60
Finally, the governments website, le Service Public features a special page with emergency phone numbers and a handy search tool to find your emergency contact.
