France is divided into five telephone zones
and all numbers, no matter where you call
from, have 10 digits. Here are the codes:
Paris 01, North West 02, North east 03,
South east 04, South west 05
The international country code for France
is 33
If you are calling France from abroad omit
the initial 0 at the beginning of France's
10 digit numbers. For direct dial calls
use a phonecard, dial 00, wait for teh second
tone, dial the country code, are code and
local number.
For reverse charge calls (en PCV) or person
to person (avec prèvais) from France
to other countries, dial 00, wait for the
second tone, then dial 33, the country code.
On public phones you will need a phonecard
first.
Minitel is a telephone connected, computerised
information serivce. In post offices the
terminals are free for directory inquiries.
Many people also pop into a café
to use the telephone (without a phonecard),
and some cafés even have minitel
terminals. Another advantage are free postcards,
which are usually found downstairs near
the toilets and telephone.
Mobile Phones
Many travellers choose to travel with mobile
phones for making reservations, keeping
in touch with family and friends (especially
other travel friends) and are essential
if you are looking for work. Generally a
pre-paid mobile phone deal will ultimately
save you more money.
Voicemail
This is a good option if you don't have
a phone but still want a phone number.
Fax
If you need to send or receive faxes virutally
all French post offices will provide this
service (telecopies or telefaxes).
