Useful numbers
Having separate numbers aims to give a faster response - but if in doubt there is always 112
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
18: Emergencies: This number connects to the fire brigade (Sapeurs Pompiers) but they deal with medical emergencies and should be the first port of call in life-threatening situations
15: Samu (for other urgent medical call-outs)
17: Police / Gendarmes
112: Universal European Emergency Services number - works from all phones including mobiles
114: Emergency calls (hearing assisted)
115: Emergency Shelter
119: Reporting child abuse
196: Sea and lake rescue
197: Terror/kidnapping hotline
01 40 05 48 48: Anti-poison centre
09 726 750 + your department number e.g. 24 for the Dordogne): Gas & electricity emergencies
3237: (0.35/min) Outside hours GP and pharmacy information (also available on www.3237.fr)
TELECOMS
ORANGE Website in English: www.orange.com/en/home. English-speaking helpline: 09 69 36 39 00
SFR: 1023 (+ 33 6 10 00 10 23 from outside France)
FREE: 1044
BOUYGUES: New client: 3106
Forfait & Bbox: 1064 (+33 660 614 614)
Forfait bloqué: 1022 (+33 664 00 20 20)
Client à la Carte: 1034 (+33 668 634 634)
ELECTRICITY
EDF: 24 hour breakdown line: 09 726 750 + your department number (eg 24 for the Dordogne)
Gas & electricity emergencies:
Helpline in English: 09 69 36 63 83 (from abroad 0033 9 69 36 63 83). Open 7.00 to 20.00 Monday to Saturday; waiting times can be fairly long at busy times. Press 1 to continue in English as instructed, ignore any brief recorded message in French.
Email contact form at this link.
GAS
Gas leaks: 01 43 35 40 87
WATERGenerale des EauxWeb: www.service-client.veoliaeau.frOnline form links users to the office dealing with their area
Ondeo
Suez-EnvironnementWeb: www.suez-environnement.com/en/homepageTel: 01 58 18 50 00
OFFICIAL AGENCIES
3939 ALLO SERVICE PUBLIC: 3939
(+33 1 73 60 39 39 from outside France)
Calling hours: 8h30 - 18h00
CAF: www.caf.fr; Tel: 08 10 25 14 10.
CPAM (state healthcare): www.ameli.fr
English-speaking helpline: 08 11 36 36 46 Calling hours: Mon-Fri: 8h30 - 17h30
URSSAF: 3957 + department number
CLEISS: Social security advice when moving between countries: 01 45 26 33 41
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday : 9h00 - 12h30 - Tuesday & Thursday : 14h00 - 17h00
Some advisers speak English.
EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES
British Embassy (Paris) 01 44 51 31 00
Bordeaux consulate: 05 57 22 21 10
Marseille consulate: 04 91 15 72 10
UK passport advice + 44 (0) 300 222 0000
(calls cost up to 12p/min from a UK landline - see French operators for exact cost)
Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 20:00 - Weekends: 9:00 - 17:30
OTHER EMBASSIES
Irish, Paris: 01 44 17 67 00
US, Paris: 01 43 12 22 22
Canadian, Paris: 01 44 43 29 00
Australian, Paris: 01 40 59 33 00
NZ, Paris: 01 45 01 43 43
South African, Paris: 01 53 59 23 23
OTHER HELP IN ENGLISH
Counselling in France: for a qualified therapist near you or counselling over the telephone;
Alcoholics Anonymous: regular meetings are held (some are in English) across the country.
For a list of local English-language groups see: www.alcoholics-anonymous.eu
SOS Help: similar to the Samaritans, listeners who are professionally trained; Tel 01 46 21 46 46
(open 3pm-11pm daily); www.soshelpline.org
CANCER SUPPORT FRANCE: for advice and someone to talk to. Tel: 0800 240 200 or email
helpline@cancersupportfrance.org
English Speaking Cancer Association (Geneva-based): offering cancer support in Geneva, Vaud and French border areas. Tel: +41 (0) 22 791 63 05 or email info@cancersupport.ch or www.cancersupport.ch
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity (SSAFA): 05 53 24 92 38. Email: France.Branch.ssafa.org.uk
Elizabeth Finn fund: help for Britons and Irish people facing hardship, including for residents of France. See www.turn2us.org.uk
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT NETWORK: for those grieving for a loved one and needing to talk.
Tel: 04 94 84 64 89 / 06 24 50 22 74 or email info@bsnvar.org - 7:00 - 23:00. See www.bsnvar.org
THE BRITISH CHARITABLE FUND: provides financial help to British residents in France.
Tel: 01 47 59 07 69 - 10:00 - 17:00 - britishcharitablefund@orange.fr
Alzheimer – English help group at France Alzheimer: 0800 97 20 97 - www.francealzheimer.org
OTHER INFO
AFIF (funerals info): 01 45 44 90 03
Speaking clock: 3669.
Weather: 08 92 68 02 + dept.
Last incoming call: 3131, then ‘5’ if you wish to connect.
MasterCard Loss/Theft of card
Calling from France: 09 69 39 92 91 Calling from Abroad: +33 96 93 99 291Loss/Theft of chequebook
Calling from France: 08 92 68 32 08 Calling from Abroad: +33 89 26 83 208