French Emergency Phrases: The Numbers and What to Say
Essential French emergency phrases and numbers for medical, police and fire emergencies - plus a simple script for what to say when you call.
In a French emergency, the key phrase is au secours ! (help!), followed by appelez une ambulance/la police/les pompiers (call an ambulance/police/firefighters). Dial 15 for medical help (SAMU), 17 for police, 18 for fire, or 112 anywhere in the EU.
Quick answer
In a French emergency, the key phrase is au secours ! (help!), followed by appelez une ambulance/la police/les pompiers (call an ambulance/police/firefighters). Dial 15 for medical help (SAMU), 17 for police, 18 for fire, or 112 anywhere in the EU.
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Emergency numbers in France
15 reaches the SAMU (emergency medical services), 17 reaches the police, and 18 reaches the sapeurs-pompiers (fire and rescue, who also respond to many medical emergencies in France). 112 is the single emergency number that works across the entire European Union, including France, and is a safe default if you’re unsure which service you need or are calling from a foreign phone. All of these calls are free, geolocated, and prioritized. See service-public.gouv.fr for the official, up-to-date list.
Calling for help: the basic script
Au secours ! (help!), appelez une ambulance / la police / les pompiers (call an ambulance / the police / the fire department), j’ai besoin d’aide (I need help).
Describing a medical emergency
Il/elle ne respire pas (he/she isn’t breathing), je crois qu’il/elle a fait un malaise (I think he/she has collapsed/fainted), quelqu’un est blessé (someone is hurt).
Giving your location
Je suis à… (I am at…), l’adresse est… (the address is…), près de… (near…) - the most critical information to convey clearly and early in the call.
| Situation | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Calling for help | au secours ! |
| Requesting an ambulance | appelez une ambulance, s’il vous plaît |
| Someone hurt | quelqu’un est blessé |
| Location | je suis à… / l’adresse est… |
See also essential French phrases for travelers and directions in French for related situational vocabulary.
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Questions about this note
What is the emergency number in France?
15 for medical emergencies (SAMU), 17 for police, and 18 for fire (sapeurs-pompiers) - each reaches a dedicated dispatcher. All are free to call.
How do you say "call an ambulance" in French?
Appelez une ambulance, s'il vous plaît.
How do you say someone is hurt?
Quelqu'un est blessé.
How do you give your location in an emergency?
Je suis à… / l'adresse est…
What's the general EU emergency number?
112 - it works across France and the rest of the European Union and reaches emergency services in English as well as French.