Current Time in France
Check local time in Paris and all France cities. France spans 2 time zones.
France Quick Facts
🕐Time Zones in France
France uses CET (UTC+1) year-round. Paris is the capital and largest city.
France observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), known as Summer Time in Europe. Clocks spring forward one hour on the last Sunday of March and fall back on the last Sunday of October. During summer months, France uses CEST (UTC+2).
Major Cities in France (21 cities)
Click on any city to see detailed local time, sunrise/sunset times, and weather information.
📞Best Time to Call France
To call France from the United States, the best time is between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM EST, which corresponds to 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM in France. For UK callers, France is typically 1 hour ahead (or the same time during summer months). Early morning or late afternoon calls work best for most European schedules.
Standard business hours in France are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Standard business hours in France are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.
✈️Time-Related Travel Tips for France
Traveling to France from North America typically involves a 5-9 hour time difference. The jet lag is usually manageable within 1-2 days. European business culture values punctuality, so arrive on time for meetings. France follows the 24-hour clock format in official contexts, though 12-hour format is also common in casual settings.
💡Interesting Facts About Time in France
- The capital Paris is the political center of France with a total national population of 67M.
- France follows Central European Time conventions, making business coordination with other EU countries straightforward.
- Time zone boundaries don't always follow geographical lines - they're often adjusted for political, economic, or practical reasons.
- The concept of standardized time zones was developed in the 19th century with the expansion of railways, replacing local solar time.
About Time in France
France uses a single time zone (CET (UTC+1)). This makes it relatively straightforward to coordinate times across the country.
The capital city Paris serves as the political and often economic center of France. Major business activities are spread across cities including Paris, Lyon, Marseille.
When planning international calls, video conferences, or business meetings with contacts in France, it's important to consider the time difference. CET (UTC+1) is the most commonly referenced time zone for France.
France uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +33. Multiple languages are spoken, including French.
Cities in France
Explore local time in 21 cities across France:
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Vatican CityFrequently Asked Questions About Time in France
France spans 2 time zones: CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2). The capital Paris uses CET (UTC+1).
France observes Daylight Saving Time (DST), known as Summer Time in Europe. Clocks spring forward one hour on the last Sunday of March and fall back on the last Sunday of October. During summer months, France uses CEST (UTC+2).
To call France from the United States, the best time is between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM EST, which corresponds to 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM in France. For UK callers, France is typically 1 hour ahead (or the same time during summer months). Early morning or late afternoon calls work best for most European schedules.
Standard business hours in France are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.
France uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +33. Official languages include French.