What kind of converter do i need for france

Old type F plugs did not have a grounding hole to accept the earth pin of the type E socket and old type E plugs did not have top and bottom indentations with earthing clips to mate with the type F socket.

Moreover, old type E plugs were perfectly round and lacked a necessary pair of plastic notches on the left and right side to fit the type F socket. The reason is economic: France wants to protect its own domestic receptacle manufacturers. Other European companies currently only sell the universal Continental European type F wall outlets and are not really interested in producing type E plug sockets as well.

Allowing the installation of type F receptacles would significantly increase competition for French manufacturers. Click here for a global map showing the spread of the different plug types used around the world. Click here for a detailed list of the countries of the world with their respective plug and outlet types, voltage and frequency. Press enter to begin your search. Close Search.

Last updated: 12 March What type of plugs and sockets are used in France? Type E. Type C. What is the mains voltage in France? Just like the rest of Europe, the voltage in France is volts and the frequency is 50 Hz. Background information Type C Bakelite wall socket s. But that means places are more crowded, prices are higher, and things book up far in advance.

Most Parisians go on vacation in August, making it the top month to avoid. The city is populated largely by tourists, and other destinations are crowded with French travelers.

The other busy tourist season in France is around the holidays, from mid-December to mid-January. In some places, the holiday season is even more crowded and expensive than the summer. If you can, visit France in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall instead. Be sure to check current France travel advisories before you go. France is a fairly temperate country overall, although the weather varies considerably by region. Eastern France has warm summers and colder winters, as well as heavy snowfall in the mountains.

Southern France, including the Mediterranean coast, is the warmest part of the country, experiencing hot summers and dry, mild winters. As one of the most beloved cities in the world, Paris could occupy you for weeks. Most importantly, save plenty of time to just walk around the city.

Not sure where to wander? Start with Montmartre, the Marais, or the Latin Quarter. Every corner of France offers different things to do and see. Visit the Loire Valley for the wine, the Riviera for the beaches, or Normandy for a sobering history lesson. If you visit in December, the Christmas markets in Strasbourg, Montpelier, and Bordeaux are some of the best. The country is famous for its long-distance trains, including the high-speed TGV. The ride-sharing service BlaBlaCar is also quite popular in France, and renting a car is feasible as well.

Getting around most cities in France is usually pretty straightforward as well. As long as you have an adapter to let you plug into a local electric outlet, you should be fine. But if in doubt, check on the bottom of your charger.

First, virtually all 3-star and higher Paris hotels have hair dryers for you to use during your stay, so no need to bring one. Many apartments also have them. If you're staying at a 1- or 2-star hotel or a really cheap apartment , check to make sure a hair dryer will be available. For all other devices you plan to bring, you will need to check the device's voltage.

If you can pull up specs for the exact model on the internet or find it in the user's manual, that's usually easiest and quickest. Otherwise, look for tiny type somewhere on the device - usually the bottom or plug - where you'll find the input voltage. If you see dual voltage listed, check to see if there's a switch where you must change it manually - for example, from v to v.

If so, make a note on your trip check list to flip the voltage switch to v when you pack for your trip, and then flip it back to v when you pack to leave Paris. If you wait to flip until you arrive in Paris or return home, the fog of jet lag may cause you to forget to do it. Plugging a v hairdryer into a v outlet will fry it before you notice what's happening.

Don't ask us how we know! Bottom line: As long as your device has dual voltage and you remember to switch it manually if necessary, you don't need to get a converter. Assuming you can't do without whatever the device is, the easier option is to buy and bring a dual voltage model. Especially if your device is more than year old, you may need to replace it soon anyway - so do it now, and avoid the cost of a converter, not to speak of the extra weight in your bag.

For some items such as electric heating pads, dual voltage models may be hard to find or expensive. In that case, look for a v-only model - they're usually surprisingly cheap. For others, such as electric toothbrushes, dual voltage models are available but typically quite expensive. Assuming you don't need a converter for anything else, consider bringing an inexpensive regular toothbrush and leaving your electric model at home unless you're planning a very long trip or have been told by your dentist to always use an electric brush.

If you do decide to buy a converter, look for a "step-down" model. The good news is that converter prices and weight have dropped in recent years, and most models come with adapters.

Here are a couple of highly-rated "step-down" converters that you can buy online from Amazon ad :. Some hotels mostly 4-star and higher have begun to install dual voltage outlets with built-in converters and often with more or less universal adapters. These are relatively rare and often only in the bathroom - but may be a future trend? Find newest Paris hotels.

First, a couple of quick definitions: A electrical outlet adapter lets you insert electric plugs from your country into wall sockets in the country you're visiting. It's needed because the electric plugs and outlets may have different shapes - in fact, 14 different power outlet types are in use around the world. For example, if you live in the U. So by using a U.

The best type of electrical outlet adapter to buy for use in Paris and elsewhere in France is Type E, because it accommodates both grounded and ungrounded devices. An electric power converter sometimes called a transformer or voltage converter lets you use an electrical device designed for volts in a country with V electricity - and vice-versa. Popular brands include Ceptics, Vintar, and Tessan.

Premium quality at a cheap price. Ideal for using multiple devices when your hotel has limited electrical outlets.