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So you’ve spotted a phone number starting with +33 Area Code and you’re wondering what’s up with that? Well, you’ve just encountered France’s country code and honestly, it’s pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it.
The +33 code isn’t technically an “area code” like we think of in the US. It’s more like France’s international calling card that covers the entire country. Pretty neat, right?
Here’s the deal: when you’re calling France from anywhere else in the world, that domestic “0” at the beginning of French numbers gets the boot and gets replaced with +33. So a Paris number that looks like 01 23 45 67 89 inside France becomes +33 1 23 45 67 89 when you’re dialing from outside.
Why should you care? Well, getting this right matters for:
- Business calls with French partners (nobody wants to look amateur)
- Booking hotels or calling restaurants while traveling
- SMS verification for apps like WhatsApp or your banking stuff
- Just… not having your calls fail miserably
The International Telecommunication Union handles all this numbering stuff, and France gets billions of international calls each year. So yeah, +33 is basically the gateway to everything French, phone-wise.
Where is the 33 Area Code Located?
Here’s where it gets interesting the 33 country code covers all of France. Yup, the whole thing.
Unlike the US where 212 means New York or 310 means LA, France does things differently. Whether someone’s calling from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, or some tiny village in Provence, they’re all using +33.
But wait, there’s more structure after that +33:
- Paris and surrounding area → +33 1
- Northwest France → +33 2
- Northeast regions → +33 3
- Southeast (Lyon, Marseille) → +33 4
- Southwest France → +33 5
- Mobile numbers → usually +33 6 or +33 7
So once you see that +33, you know it’s French. Then the next digit tells you roughly where in France it’s coming from. Pretty logical system, honestly.
Fun fact: France used to get over 80 million international visitors every year (before, well… gestures vaguely at recent history), and most of them end up using +33 numbers at some point during their trip.
How to Call France with the +33 Code
Alright, let’s break this down step by step because it’s actually super simple once you know the formula:
- Start with your country’s exit code:
- US/Canada: dial 011
- UK/Europe: dial 00
- India: also 00
- Add France’s country code: +33
- Drop the leading zero from the French number and dial the rest
So if you’ve got a French mobile number like 06 12 34 56 78, you’d dial it as +33 6 12 34 56 78.
Here’s your cheat sheet:
- From US: 011 + 33 + number (minus the 0)
- From UK: 00 + 33 + number (minus the 0)
- From India: 00 + 33 + number (minus the 0)
The biggest mistake people make? Forgetting to drop that leading zero. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen way too many times your call just won’t go through.
France Area Code 33 – A Bit of History
The whole +33 thing comes from the ITU’s E.164 numbering plan basically, they got tired of every country doing their own chaotic thing with phone numbers and decided to standardize everything.
Before this system existed, calling internationally was… let’s just say it was a mess. France eventually got their act together in the 80s and 90s, moving from city-specific codes to their current nationwide system.
Some key moments:
- 1980s-1990s: France ditched the old local codes for a cleaner national system
- 1996: Mobile numbers got standardized to start with 06
- 2000s: Everything went digital with VoIP, WhatsApp, SMS verification you name it
These days, +33 handles millions of calls and text verifications every single day. It’s pretty wild when you think about it.
Country Code 33 vs. French Regional Codes
Okay, this trips people up sometimes, so let me clear it up…
+33 is the international code for France. But once you’re “inside” that +33, the next digit tells you the region:
- +33 1 → Paris area
- +33 2 → Northwest
- +33 3 → Northeast
- +33 4 → Southeast (think Lyon, Marseille)
- +33 5 → Southwest
- +33 6 or +33 7 → Mobile phones
So when Americans talk about “area codes” like 212 for NYC, that’s not quite how France works. The +33 gets you to France, then that next digit narrows it down regionally.
Can I Get a Virtual +33 Number for France?
Absolutely and it’s way easier than you might think.
You don’t need to fly to Paris or buy a French SIM card anymore. Virtual French numbers are a game-changer, especially if you need one for:
- Business stuff: Look local to French clients without actually being there
- SMS verification: Get those WhatsApp, Telegram, or banking codes
- Privacy: Keep your real number private while still being reachable
- Saving money: No crazy roaming fees or international charges
Places like PVAPins make it super simple you can literally get a +33 number online in seconds. Whether it’s for a one-time verification code or something longer-term, it just works.
With a virtual French number, you can handle SMS verifications for apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail, and even e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.
Calling France from Different Countries
Let’s get specific with some examples because seeing the actual format helps:
From the US/Canada:
- Format: 011 + 33 + number
- Example: 011 33 1 23 45 67 89
From the UK:
- Format: 00 + 33 + number
- Example: 00 33 1 23 45 67 89
From India:
- Format: 00 + 33 + number
- Example: 00 33 1 23 45 67 89
Notice how that exit code changes depending on where you’re calling from, but the +33 part stays the same. Once you’ve got this pattern down, you can call France from pretty much anywhere.
What People Actually Use +33 Numbers For
The +33 code isn’t just about traditional phone calls anymore honestly, that’s probably the least common use these days.
Here’s what’s really happening:
- App verification: PayPal, Google, Telegram, banking apps they all send SMS codes
- Business presence: Having a French number makes you look legit to French customers
- Travel communication: Staying connected while you’re bouncing around Europe
- Privacy protection: Using temporary numbers for sketchy websites or sign-ups
- E-commerce: Online stores often need a local contact number
For businesses, a +33 number is basically a credibility boost. For regular people, it’s more about convenience and keeping your personal number safe.
FAQ Section
What country uses the +33 code?
That’s France covers the entire country.
How do I call a +33 number from the US?
Dial 011, then 33, then the number (drop the leading zero if there is one).
Can I use +33 numbers for WhatsApp?
Yup, works perfectly for WhatsApp and pretty much any other messaging app.
What does +33 at the start of a number mean?
It means the number is French that’s their country code.
Are calls to +33 numbers free?
Nope, you’ll pay international rates unless you’re using something like Skype or WhatsApp calling.
Can I get a temporary +33 number online?
Absolutely. Services like PVAPins offer instant French numbers for SMS and verifications.
What’s the difference between +33 and the numbers like 01, 02, 03?
+33 gets you to France, then those other digits tell you which region within France.
Bottom line: +33 is your ticket to France, whether you’re making calls, getting SMS codes, or just trying to look professional with a French business number. It’s pretty much essential if you’re dealing with anything France-related in our connected world.