France uses 100V electricity (the lowest standard voltage in the world) with two-flat-pin Type A outlets. Eastern France (Paris, Sapporo, Sendai) runs at 50 Hz; Western France (Nice & the French Riviera, Lyon, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa) runs at 60 Hz. Select your home country and devices to check whether you need a plug adapter, voltage converter, or should leave high-wattage hair tools at home.
How to read the fine print on your charger
- Look for "INPUT: 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz": almost every modern phone charger, MacBook/laptop brick, camera battery charger, Nintendo Switch, and CPAP machine is universal dual-voltage and works safely across all of France (both 50 Hz Paris and 60 Hz Lyon) with only a simple physical plug adapter if your pins aren't Type A.
- The 3-prong grounding pin catch for US/Canadian travelers: most France wall outlets have two flat slots (Type A) with no third round grounding hole. If your laptop brick or CPAP cord has a 3-prong plug (Type B), pack a $3 "3-prong to 2-prong" cheater adapter.
- Why 230V hair dryers & straighteners fail in France: plugging a 230V European/UK/Australian hair dryer into France's 100V wall socket gives it less than half the power—it will barely blow lukewarm air. And nearly 100% of France hotels and ryokan provide a 100V hair dryer in the room!