The French numbering plan is refreshingly simple compared with Germany’s. All numbers are ten digits long, and geographic numbers are split into just five zones. Here’s how it works.
The five geographic zones
| Prefix | Zone | Major cities |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Île-de-France | Paris |
| 02 | North-West | Nantes, Rennes, Rouen |
| 03 | North-East | Lille, Strasbourg |
| 04 | South-East | Lyon, Marseille, Nice |
| 05 | South-West | Toulouse, Bordeaux |
Because the zones are large, an 01 number signals “Paris region” rather than a specific district. Browse Paris 01 numbers or all French local numbers.
Non-geographic: 09
The 09 range is non-geographic and widely used by internet and VoIP services. It’s charged like a normal call, which makes it a practical national number.
Freephone: 0800 to 0805
In France, numbers from 0800 to 0805 are free for the caller (“numéros verts”). The 081 and 082 ranges carry a small charge set by the service. For support lines, 0800 gives callers the most confidence. See France 0800 numbers.
Formatting and dialling
French numbers are written in pairs: 01 23 45 67 89. From abroad, callers dial +33 and drop the leading 0: +33 1 23 45 67 89.
Verification
French operators generally need to know who uses each number, and geographic ranges may require an address in France. The requirement is shown on each number before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Is an 09 number a mobile number?
No. French mobiles start with 06 or 07. 09 is a non-geographic landline-style range.
Can I get a Lyon number specifically?
Lyon uses the 04 zone. You can choose an 04 number; the zone covers the whole South-East.
Browse French numbers