In times of crisis, knowing how to swiftly reach emergency services can make all the difference between life and death. So, this article lists the various emergency phone numbers in France, things to say during the call, and also some useful French vocabulary.
Emergency phone numbers in France
Here are some of the most commonly used contact numbers of emergency services in France.
Emergency Number | Service |
| 15 | Emergency Medical Services / Service d’Assistance Médicale Urgente (SAMU). You must indicate exactly your location and the nature of the incident. |
| 17 | Police or Gendarmerie |
| 18 | Fire and Rescue Services / Service d’Incendie et de Secours |
| 112 | European Emergency SOS number for Foreigners |
| 114 | Deaf or people with hearing issues or you are not able to call (talk), you can send a free text message to 114 |
| 115 | Homeless people emergency and reception / Assistance aux sans domicile fixe (SDF) |
| 116000 | Families of missing or abducted children: Telephone reception and information service |
| 119 | Child or adolescent in danger |
| 191 | Aeronautical emergencies (When your plane is about to crash) |
| 196 | Maritime emergencies along the coast (but only from land, otherwise use VHF 16) |
32 or 38 on INMARSAT | Maritime emergencies: contact via satellite or mobile |
| +33 5 34 39 33 33 | |
| 197 | Terrorist attack, kidnapping, or both |
| 3018 | Young victims of online violence or cyber-harassment |
| 3020 | Harassement in school |
| 3114 | Suicide prevention. This number helps meet the immediate needs of people seeking help: listening, assessing, responding, emergency, referral, or crisis follow-up. People who are worried about a loved one may also call. |
| 3117 | Emergency while using public transport like bus, train, etc. 3117 – call (mobile app is available too) 31177 – SMS |
| 31177 | |
| 3919 | Female victims of violence: Listen, inform, and refer women victims of violence, and witnesses to such violence. Addresses physical, verbal, or psychological abuse, at home or at work, and abuse of any kind (including sexual harassment, assault, and rape). |
| 3977 | Abuse of the elderly and disabled: Listen, support and help for the elderly or disabled, for carers and for witnesses of abuse against them. |
| 0800 06 66 66 | Information on the heatwave and the main recommendations to follow in case of heat. |
| 3624 (0,15€ / min) or 01 43 37 77 77 | Emergency doctors (SOS Médicins) |
| 01 43 80 40 66 | Society for the Protection of Animals (Société Protectrice des Animaux) |
What to say during the call?
During the call with the emergency services, you must clearly explain the following.
- I am a victim or witness… I give a phone number on which I remain reachable.
- I give the precise address of the place where the services must intervene, especially if I am not there.
- I specify the reasons for my appeal, the state of the situation, and that of the possible victims.
- I express myself clearly to my interlocutor and I listen carefully to the advice given on the conduct to be held before the arrival of the help.
- I answer all the questions asked by the telephone operator.
Useful vocabulary during emergencies
Some words and phrases in French useful during emergency situations in France
| English | French |
| (Severely) allergic | (Sévèrement) allergique |
| Accident | Un accident |
| Ambulance | une ambulance |
| Baby | Bébé |
| Bleeding | Hémorragie |
| Child | Enfant |
| Choke | s’étouffer |
| Concussion | une commotion cérébrale |
| Diabetic, I need insulin | diabétique, j’ai besoin d’insuline |
| Difficulty breathing/gasping | difficultés à respirer |
| Doctor | Docteur |
| Elderly person | Personne âgée |
| Emergency | Urgence |
| Emergency numbers | numéros d’urgence |
| Emergency services/ambulance | Service d’Aide Médicale d’Urgence (SAMU} |
| EpiPen | Épipen |
| Extremely ill | Très malade |
| Fire | Feu |
| Fire brigade | les sapeurs-pompiers |
| Heart attack | Crise cardiaque |
| Help me | Aidez moi |
| Help! | Au secours! A l’aide! |
| Hemorrhage | une hémorragie |
| Hospital | Hôpital |
| I am being burgled | Je suis en train de me faire cambrioler |
| I am bleeding a lot | je saigne beaucoup |
| I am in labour | Je suis en train d’accoucher |
| I am injured | Je suis blessé |
| I am innocent | Je suis innocent |
| I can’t breathe | Je ne peux pas respirer |
| I didn’t do it | Je n’ai pas fait ça |
| I have difficulty breathing | J’ai des difficultés à respirer |
| I have had an accident | J’ai eu un accident |
| I live at… | J’habite à… |
| I need a doctor | J’ai besoin d’un médecin |
| I need an ambulance | J’ai besoin d’une ambulance |
| I need an ambulance | J’ai besoin d’une ambulance |
| I need the police | J’ai besoin de la police |
| I want a lawyer | Je veux un avocat |
| I was attacked | J’ai été agressé |
| I was harassed | J’ai été harcelé |
| I was kidnapped | J’ai été kidnappé |
| I was raped | J’ai été violée |
| I was robbed | Je me suis fait voler / J’ai été volé |
| Injured | Blessé(e) |
| It’s an emergency | C’est un cas d’urgence |
| Murder | Meurtre |
| My location is | Ma localité est |
| My name is… | Je m’appelle |
| My telephone number is… | Mon numéro de téléphone est… |
| Please take me quickly to hospital | Emmenez-moi rapidement à l’hôpital |
| Poisoning emergency | Urgence d’empoisonnement |
| Police | Police |
| Police | la Police Nationale or gendarmerie |
| Road emergency services | Services d’urgence routière |
| Stroke | Une attaque cérébrale |
| The car is on fire | La voiture a pris feu |
| The house is on fire | La maison a pris feu |
| To be poisoned | s’empoisonner |
| To bleed | saigner |
| Unconscious | Perdre connaissance |
| Very sick | Très malade |
Sources & References
- Quels sont les numéros à composer en cas d’urgence (Samu, pompier, etc.) ? servicepublic.fr
- Se préparer à une situation d’urgence info.gouv.fr
- Find a nearby police station in France masecurite.interieur.gouv.fr
