🇫🇷 Paris Emergency Guide

Emergency Numbers — What to Know

France uses two parallel emergency systems. 15 reaches SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale Urgente), the physician-staffed ambulance service that triages calls and dispatches the appropriate response — a doctor on call, a paramedic crew, or a hospital-based mobile unit. 18 reaches the Sapeurs-Pompiers (fire brigade), who also handle medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, and technical rescues; in Paris, the Brigade de Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris (BSPP) is a military unit answering both fire and medical calls. 112, the EU-wide emergency number, works from any phone — including locked handsets and foreign SIMs — and connects to a dispatcher who can transfer to SAMU, police, or fire. Operators on 112 are more likely to speak English than those on the direct lines. 17 reaches the Police Nationale for crimes in progress. In central Paris, response times for SAMU average 8–12 minutes; the BSPP often arrives faster for life-threatening calls.

Non-Emergency Resources

SOS Médecins Paris (01 47 07 77 77) provides house-call doctors 24/7 — useful for non-life-threatening illness or injury at your hotel. Most SOS Médecins doctors speak basic English. Pharmacies marked with a green cross are widespread; the Pharmacie des Champs-Élysées (84 Avenue des Champs-Élysées) is open 24 hours. For dental emergencies, call SOS Dentaire (01 43 37 51 00). Your country's embassy or consulate can assist with lost passports and emergency travel documents — most embassies cluster in the 7th and 8th arrondissements. The Paris Préfecture de Police handles theft reports; file online at pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr to save time at the station.

Emergency Phrases

Practical Tips for Tourists

Most major Parisian hospitals have English-speaking staff in their emergency departments (urgences). Hôpital Américain de Paris in Neuilly-sur-Seine is a private, bilingual hospital popular with expats and tourists — expect higher fees but minimal language barriers. Public hospitals treat emergencies regardless of insurance status; bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or travel insurance details. Hospital emergency departments can be crowded — waits of 3–6 hours for non-critical cases are common, especially at nights and weekends.

French SIMs from Orange, SFR, or Bouygues are available at tabacs and the airports; EU roaming regulations mean any EU SIM works at domestic rates. Emergency calls (112, 15, 17, 18) always connect regardless of SIM status, credit, or network lock. Paris has extensive free Wi-Fi in public spaces (Paris Wi-Fi), major museums, and most cafés.

The Paris tourist police office is at 36 Rue des Orfèvres (1st arrondissement), near Notre-Dame. Officers speak English and can help with theft reports, lost property, and assault cases. For pickpocket incidents — common on the Métro and around major monuments — report promptly for insurance claims.