Power Plugs and Sockets in France - Do You Need an Adapter?

In France, the plug types used are C and E. The voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50Hz. On the other hand, in Mexico, the plug types used are A and B. The voltage in Mexico is 127 V with a frequency of 60Hz.

Type C

Type E

What are the plugs like in France?

In France, the predominant plug types are C and E. If you are coming from Mexico, then your devices are of type A or B.

For this reason, you will need an adapter, as the plugs in France are not compatible with the devices from Mexico and you will not be able to use your devices.

Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to France?

It is important to know that in France the electrical voltage is 230 V, with a frequency of 50Hz. In Mexico, the electrical voltage is 127 V and the frequency is 60Hz.

Due to the large voltage difference, you will need to use a voltage converter to use your devices in France. However, it is important to mention that nowadays many electronic devices (such as mobile phones) are dual voltage, in which case a converter would not be necessary. In the Frequently Asked Questions section, we show you how to verify if your devices are dual voltage.

Regardless of whether you need a voltage converter or not, you need a plug adapter, because the plug types are different in France.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we will answer some of the most common questions asked by travelers going to France.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in France?

If you are travelling from Mexico to France, you will need an adapter to charge your iPhone or Android mobile device. While it is true that nowadays these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, it should be remembered that both countries have incompatible plug types, so you will need an adapter in France to charge your iPhone or Android.

Can I plug in my laptop charger in France?

If you are travelling from Mexico to France, you will need an adapter to charge your laptop. Generally, these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, but it should be remembered that Mexico and France have incompatible plug types, so an adapter is necessary to charge your laptop in France.

Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in France?

The truth is that you have to be careful with products like hair dryers or hair straighteners, because they are generally not dual voltage. Since the voltage difference is so great between Mexico and France, we recommend buying a voltage adapter to be able to use your hair dryer safely in France.

However, since the plugs in France and Mexico are not compatible, you will need a plug adapter to be able to use the hair straightener and hair dryer.

How do I know if my electrical device is dual voltage?

To know if your electrical device is dual voltage, you must check the label or product specifications. If the label indicates a voltage range, such as 100~240V and a frequency range like 50~60Hz, then your device is dual voltage and can be used without any problems. If your device is not dual voltage, then you will need a voltage converter to be able to use it in sockets in France with a different voltage than your device.

However, remember that dual voltage only affects the voltage and frequency.Since you are travelling to France from Mexico, you will still need a plug adapter.

What happens if I connect a 127 V device to a 230 V socket without an adapter?

Under no circumstances should you attempt to connect a 127 V device from Mexico to a 230 V socket in France without a voltage adapter. Doing this poses a great danger and the device could cause a fire. Before travelling to France, make sure you have a voltage adapter.

What happens if I connect a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket without an adapter?

When connecting a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket in France without a frequency adapter, the worst that can happen is that the device may run at a slower speed than expected. Nowadays, most devices are prepared for these small frequency differences, but in older devices, the difference may be more noticeable.