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Doctor's Visits
While visiting France, you can consult a general practitioner, a specialist, or a dentist at a hospital or a health center, or go to the emergency service of any hospital, depending upon the severity of your condition.
You can also have a doctor visit you at your hotel. Doctors can be registered with the Department of Health (fees fixed in agreement with the Department of Health) or from a private practice (more expensive). Find out before you make an appointment.
There is always a doctor on call, but please be aware that home visits and consultations on Sundays and public holidays are always more expensive.
To find contact information for medical professionals, ask at the police station or dial 15 (SAMU - medical emergencies).
At the pharmacy
The Pharmacy, marked by a neon green cross, is usually your best bet in France for fast medical advice and most medicinal needs. Pharmacists are quite often able to recommend over-the-counter medecines based on your description of your symptoms. For translations of common ailments and health products, click here.
There is an enormous network of pharmacies in France, and although their hours are generally the same as shops (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m./8:00 p.m.), there is always an on-duty pharmacy open at night, and on Sundays and public holidays. All pharmacies display the address of the nearest on-duty pharmacy.
Obtaining certain medicines requires a prescription issued by a doctor (whom you must have consulted beforehand). Other medicines are freely available and can be bought over the counter. Any pharmacist can give you full details on this subject and will be able to advise you accordingly.
Refund of medical costs
If you are a national of a country belonging to the European Union, you can be refunded for your medical costs upon your return from France. Be sure to take an International Social Security form E111 with you. The simplest way, however, is to take out an all-risks insurance policy before you leave. In case of a problem, your insurer will accept all of your medical expenses.
In Case of Emergency
SAMU (medical emergencies): 15
Police emergencies: 17
Fire Service emergencies: 18
European emergency line: 112
SOS Médecins (Paris - emergency doctors): 33 (0) 1 47 07 77 77 or 33 (0) 820 332 424 or 36 24 (national number, 0.12€/min)
SOS Dentistes (Paris - emergency dentists): 33 (0) 1 43 37 51 00
SOS Help (English-language crisis line): Tel: 01 46 21 46 46 (3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.), www.soshelpline.org
Poison Control Center (Paris): 33 (0) 1 40 05 48 48
Pharmacie Anglo-Américaine: 37, avenue Marceau (16th arrondissement). Tel: 01 47 20 57 37
American Hospital in Paris: 63, boulevard Victor-Hugo, Neuilly. Tel: 01 46 41 25 25
British/American Pharmacy: 1, rue Auber, (9th arrondissement). Tel: 01 42 65 88 29
24/7 Pharmacy: 84, avenue des Champs-Elysées (8th arrondissement). Tel: 01 45 62 02 41
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