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France Plugs, outlets & travel adapters
France uses Type C and E sockets. The mains supply is 230 V at 50 Hz.
Plugbert's take French-style sockets have a projecting earth pin. Check that your grounded adapter supports it.
Do you need a travel adapter for France?
It depends on where your plugs come from.
🇺🇸 From the United States
You need a plug adapter. Plugs from the United States (Type A and B) don't fit the Type C and E sockets in France. A Type C (Europlug) adapter fits the listed socket families there. For grounded devices, get a Type E (French / Schuko hybrid) adapter for a compatible grounded outlet instead; it does not fit every listed outlet. Socket variants can differ; check the actual outlet and adapter rating.
France uses 230 V, much higher than the 120 V in the United States. An input rating of "100–240V" covers the listed supply voltage; you still need a suitable plug or adapter. For single-voltage devices, follow the manufacturer's guidance on conversion; using a suitable local device may be simpler.
United States to France in full🇬🇧 From the United Kingdom
You need a plug adapter. Plugs from the United Kingdom (Type G) don't fit the Type C and E sockets in France. A Type C (Europlug) adapter fits the listed socket families there. For grounded devices, get a Type E (French / Schuko hybrid) adapter for a compatible grounded outlet instead; it does not fit every listed outlet. Socket variants can differ; check the actual outlet and adapter rating.
No voltage converter needed. Both countries use 230 V.
United Kingdom to France in fullFrom other countries
Somewhere else?
Sockets you'll find in France
What to expect in France
The earth pin is in the socket
Electrical Safety First lists Type C and E, 230 V and 50 Hz for France. The distinctive feature of Type E is the projecting earth pin in the socket. A grounded plug needs the matching earth connection; two round pins alone do not establish compatibility.
For a small ungrounded charger, a suitable Type C Europlug adapter can fit compatible outlets. For grounded equipment, choose an adapter explicitly supporting Type E, including the socket's earth pin. Check that it also accepts your home plug and preserves its ground.
Does a Germany adapter also work?
Check the actual design. A plug described only as “Schuko” or “European” is not enough to establish French grounding compatibility. Some products support both E and F: SKROSS documents both outputs on its World to Europe adapter, alongside supported inputs and load limits. This is a specification example, not a product review.
For a France and Germany trip, documented E/F support is a useful requirement. Apply the same check to universal adapters; the country count on the box cannot substitute for an earth-connection specification.
An adapter cannot lower the voltage
Read your device's input label. 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz includes France's listed supply. A US 120 V-only hair dryer cannot use it directly through a plug adapter. Check the manufacturer's instructions and the adapter's rated load before bringing heating equipment.
Will your devices work in France?
Sockets in France supply 230 V. Find the "input" line on each device or its charger. An input rating of "100–240V" covers the listed supply voltage; you still need a suitable plug or adapter. Check that the input frequency also covers 50 Hz. An adapter changes the plug shape, not the voltage or frequency. For switchable devices, follow the manufacturer's instructions before plugging in.
Often rated 100–240 V; confirm on the charger: phone charger, laptop charger, camera battery charger.
Check the label first: electric toothbrush, electric shaver, CPAP machine, hair straightener / curler.
Usually single voltage: hair dryer, kettle / coffee maker, anything with a heating element.
Plug twins
These countries list the same plug types and a similar voltage range. Check each guide for socket variants and local exceptions.