I hope that if you read this article, you do not find yourself in immediate need of assistance, but if you do, I sincerely hope that the following will answer your questions.
Who should you call in an emergency in France?
In France, there is no unified emergency number like in the US or the UK. But here are the main ones you need to know:
- 15 – calls the SAMU who are the first responders for medical emergencies
- 17 – calls the police
- 18 – calls the firemen
- 112 – European emergency number, if you’re a victim or a witness of an accident in any EU country.
We strongly recommend making a note of these numbers and adding them to your contacts.
Where should you go in case of an emergency in France?
Here is the reference website if you find yourself in an unknown city and you’re looking for a hospital. It’s in French but quite easy to navigate.
When you’re in the hospital, look for the “Urgences” section. That’s the French equivalent of A&E or the ER, and where you’ll be taken care of.
Little tip: the wait can be quite long, based on the condition you have, the number of staff etc, so bring a book !
Tips and tricks
- Save the numbers in your phone
