Do You Need a Travel Adapter for France?
France uses Type C and Type E sockets at 230 V, 50 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers from Europe plug straight in. From the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type E adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the US, Canada and Japan also need a voltage converter.
Check your own plug
Verdict by where you are travelling from
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| From | Phone, laptop or USB charger | Hair dryer or straightener | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The US | Adapter Type E | Converter + Type E adapter | Type E adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.com) |
| The UK | Adapter Type E | Adapter Type E | Type E adapter (amazon.co.uk) |
| Europe | Works | Works | Nothing |
| Australia | Adapter Type E | Adapter Type E | Type E adapter (amazon.com.au) |
| Canada | Adapter Type E | Converter + Type E adapter | Type E adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.ca) |
| Japan | Adapter Type E | Converter + Type E adapter | Type E adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.co.jp) |
Phone, laptop, USB and camera chargers are dual voltage, so they only need the right plug. Single-voltage hair dryers, straighteners and kettles need a converter unless rated for 220–240 V; electric shavers and CPAP machines vary by model. Read the INPUT line on the label. Adapter or converter?
More about sockets in France
5 other countries and territories in Europe have exactly the same socket types (of 53 in the region). The national plug standard is NF EN 50075, NF C 61-314.
Standard from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does France use?
France uses Type C and Type E sockets. Type C: two round 4 mm pins, 19 mm apart. Type E: two round 4.8 mm pins and a hole for the socket earth pin.
What is the voltage in France?
France runs on 230 V at 50 Hz.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in France?
Yes. Phones, laptops and USB chargers are dual voltage (100–240 V), so 230 V is fine. Chargers from Europe plug straight in. From the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type E plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for France?
Only for single-voltage appliances made for 100–127 V countries, such as many hair dryers, straighteners and kettles. Anything marked INPUT 100–240 V works with a plug adapter alone.
Other countries in Europe
Same plugs and voltage as France
Socket types: Type C Type E · Voltage by country
Data verified 8 September 2026 against the IEC World Plugs dataset, WorldStandards and Wikipedia. How this data was verified.