3 Simple Methods to Call France from Canada

Making international calls have always remained a complicated affair. But with the evolution of VoIP ((Voice over Internet Protocol) and cloud-based phone systems, international calling has become easier than ever before.

In this blog, we have outlined the methods available for you to call France from Canada, along with other factors like the timing difference you must consider, the dialing format, etc. So if you are exploring ways to make a call to France from Canada, then this blog is just for you.

Let’s Start From Basic

When you are exploring ways to call France from Canada, you must first understand the number format and dialing sequence.

Phone number format

Phone numbers in France carry 10 digits, and they usually start with a ‘0’.  The 10 digits are usually read as a series of five double-digit numbers. So, the phone number format followed in France is “0A AA AA AA AA”.

If the first two digits of a phone number in France are anywhere between 01 and 05, then it indicates a regional code in France. And in case the number starts with 06 or 07, it indicates a mobile number. Numbers that start with 08 are identified as customer care numbers, and those that start with 09 are VoIP phone numbers. A VoIP number is treated as a local number.

Based on the first two digits of a French phone number, they can be categorized as follows.

First two digits	Type of phone number
01	Ile-de-France
02	Northwest France
03	Northeast of France
04	Southeast France
05	Southwest of France
06 / 07	Mobile phone
08	Customer care numbers
09	VOIP numbers

Dialing sequence

When you are making international calls, the dialing sequence matters the most. The general dialing pattern for calls from Canada to France is given below.

• The exit code of Canada is 011,,
• ISD code of France, which is 33,
• Area code which usually ranges between 2 and 4 digits,
• Phone number

So, the general format for placing a call to France from Canada is 011-33-Area code- Phone number.

There are three different ways to call France from Canada, and we have elaborated on them in the following section.

You May Also Read : How To Call France From the US?

Method:1 How To Call France From Canada Using a Prepaid Calling Card?

When it comes to making international calls, people still find it easy to purchase and use prepaid calling cards. Using these cards, you can make international calls at a flat fee.

When purchasing a prepaid calling card to France from Canada, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Choose and buy a card

The first step in calling France from Canada is to buy a calling card. You can get one from retail outlets and department stores in your area. While you purchase a calling card, keep an eye on the following.

• Check for the availability of different types of cards and compare this against the per-minute calling rate for France.
•  Make sure that you check the expiration date of the card. You wouldn’t want to spend $50 and let it expire in 20 days.
• Check if you can use the card to make multiple calls.
• Some providers charge more for cell phone calls than landlines, and vice-versa. So, check the rates for calling mobile and landline numbers.
• Also, check if your card is reloadable.

Step 2: Check for the pin

Prepaid calling cards come with a pin secured by a silver coating. You may have to scratch the coating off. The pin is usually put up on the front or back of the card. Some providers choose to reveal the code on the receipt.

Step 3: Activate the card

Once you scratch off the coating and get the pin, dial the 800 number. An auto attendant will navigate you through the steps. Make sure that you listen carefully to the steps. When it prompts, input the PIN and follow the general steps listed in the previous section.

Step 4: Keep an eye on the minutes

While using prepaid calling cards, you must always be watchful of the minutes you have covered on each call. Say you bought 3000 minutes of talk time, and have been on a call from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM, then you will have 2970 minutes remaining on the card.

Method:2 Dial France From Canada Using a Cell Phone

Using a cell phone remains one of the popular methods when making a call to France from Canada. To do so, follow the below steps.

Step 1: Dial the exit code of Canada

The first step in calling France from Canada is to enter the exit code of Canada. Usually, the exit code of a country usually ranges between two and four digits. For Canada, the exit code is 011.

Step 2: Enter the ISD code for France

After dialing the exit code for Canada, the next step is to enter the country code or ISD code for France, which is 33.

Step 3: Dial the area code

France, as a country, has 21 area codes. When you call France from Canada, you must know the area code for that city. We have included some area codes for your reference.

Region	Area code
Northwest France	(0)2
Bourgogne	(0)345
Lorraine	(0)354
Picardie	(0)360
Haute Normandie	(0)276
Alsace	(0)369
Auvergne	(0)463
Southwest France	(0)5
Limousin	(0)587
Bretagne	(0)290
Corsica	(0)420

While dialing the area code, you can ignore the zero in the beginning and dial the next one, two, or three digits in the area code. For example, to call Paris from Canada, its area code is (0) 1. You can ignore 0 and just dial the 1 in the area code. So, the dialing format is 011-33-1-(number).

Step 4: Enter the phone number

French mobile numbers usually come with 8 digits followed by the 2-digit city code.  They are usually written as five double-digit pairs with a space in between.

For instance, if the phone number is 12 34 56 78, the dialing format is 011-33-1-12 34 56 78.

Method:3 Call France From Canada Using VoIP

If you are exploring a cost-effective option to call France from Canada, then VoIP phones are your go-to option. VoIP providers like CallHippo, TextNow, etc., offer free international calling packages, virtual phone numbers, and advanced call management features.

To call France from Canada using VoIP, you must follow the steps listed below.

Step 1: Choose a VoIP provider

There are several VoIP providers in the market, so you must invest some time to evaluate the features, pros, and cons of each of them before subscribing to their package. Check for features like call recording, call tracking, video calling, mobile app, etc.

Step 2: Sign up and registration

Enter the basic details and complete the signup process. The next step is to download the web, desktop, or mobile app.

Step 3: Choose a phone number

Most VoIP providers offer free virtual phone numbers. The virtual number could be a local phone number, toll-free number, or international number. You should select the country as France and input the area code. The application will display a pool of available France numbers. You can choose a phone number of your preference.

If you own a business in France but are located in Canada or other countries, having a local phone number will help you build trust and credibility in the minds of your customers.

Step 4: Configure your phone

As explained earlier, VoIP providers offer a suite of advanced call management features like call recording, call forwarding, call tracking, custom greetings, etc. You must pick the features and functionalities and customize the configuration of your phone.

If your business has a high volume of incoming customer calls, then you must configure your phone system with advanced features like IVR systems, ACD, predictive dialer, etc. These features sort the calls and save you time and energy.

Step 5: Choose a subscription package

The best thing about VoIP phone systems is that they operate on a subscription basis. Choose a package that is within your affordability limits.

Step 6: Dial the France number

Open the VoIP app and enter the France phone number you wish to contact, and then tap on the call button.

You May Also Read : Best VoIP Apps for Businesses in 2023

Best Time for Calling France

While making an international call, you must always keep an eye on the time differences between the two countries. France follows Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is GMT +2. Though France is often quoted for having the highest number of time zones in the world, you must note that Mainland France, which is in Europe, has only one time zone.

On the other hand, Canada has six time zones, including Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic, and Newfoundland. Generally, France is 8 hours ahead of Canada, which means if your time in Canada is 9 AM, then it is 5 PM in France.

Most businesses in France have a 5-day work week, and their working hours are between 8 AM and 4 PM or 9 AM and 5 PM. If you wish to reach out to France customers during their business hours, you will have to schedule calls in the early morning, say, between 6 AM and 9 AM, which will be 2 PM and 5 PM in France.

This difference may vary based on your specific location in Canada and the time zone followed in that region. So, when you are planning a call from France to Canada, then you must be conscious of the time zone differences. Early morning in Canada between 6 AM and 9 AM, which falls between 2 PM and 5 PM in France, works the best.

You May Also Read : The Best Day & Time To Make Sales Calls In 2023

Wrapping Up

A prepaid calling card, cell phone, and VoIP systems are the common ways to call France from Canada. France phone numbers come in 10-digit format, with the first two digits representing the region.  While you call France from Canada, you must also account for the time zone differences, as the two countries have an 8-hour difference. The early morning in Canada, which will be around 2-4 PM in France, is perfect if you are trying to reach your professional connections in France.

FAQ –

1. How to call Paris from Canada?

To call Paris from Canada, do the following steps.

1. Enter the exit code of Canada, which is 011,
2. Enter the ISD code of France, which is 33,
3. Dial the area code of Paris, which is 1
4. Dial the phone number of your contact.

So, the format is 011-33-1-Phone#

2. How to get a France Number Free?

Several VoIP providers offer a virtual phone number for free. Explore VoIP providers like TextNow, CallHippo, Skype, CloudTalk, etc.

3. What is the France phone number format?

France phone numbers have 10 digits, often read as five double-digit numbers.  If the first two digits are between 01 and 05, they represent the region code. 06 and 07 represent the mobile phone. 08 is the prefix attached to a customer number, and 09 to the VoIP phones. Read the full Article: France Phone Number Examples.

4. How to call Canada from France?

To call Canada from France, do the following.

1. Dial OO, which is the exit code for France,
2. Dial 1, which is the ISD code for Canada,
3. Dial the area code
4. Enter the phone number.