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Appendix: emergency numbers
This sheet explains who to contact when there is a problem. In an emergency, you can call services by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Key points of the sheet
- These calls are free.
- Among the main numbers are 15 for the SAMU, 17 for the police and 18 for the fire brigade.
- 114 is for people who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing or aphasic. 196 (on the coast) or channel 16 (at sea) are for rescue at sea.
- 112 is the European emergency number. It is used for a medical emergency, an offence, or a danger or accident.
- 115 helps homeless people (SDF). 119 and 116 111 are for children in danger. 116 000 is for missing children.
- 191 is for air rescue and 197 for an attack alert (alerte attentat). 3117 is for safety on public transport, and 31 14 is for suicide prevention.
- Emergency services call people back with a single number: 0 800 112 112. This number is free and it is not spam.
Words to know
- emergency medical service (SAMU)
- You call the SAMU on 15 in a medical emergency.
- European emergency number (numéro d’urgence européen)
- It is 112. It is used for a medical emergency, an offence, or a danger or accident.
- homeless person (SDF) (SDF (sans domicile fixe))
- To help a homeless person, you call 115.
- channel 16 (canal 16)
- It is the VHF radio channel to use at sea for rescue.
- offence (infraction)
- For an offence, such as violence or theft, you call 17 or 112.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Which number do you call to help a homeless person?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel numéro appeler pour aider une personne sans domicile fixe ?
To help homeless people (SDF), the number is 115.
Which number do emergency services use to call you back?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel numéro utilisent les services d’urgence pour vous rappeler ?
Emergency services use a single number to call back: 0 800 112 112.
Which number is meant for deaf or hard-of-hearing people?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel numéro est prévu pour les personnes sourdes ou malentendantes ?
114 is for people who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing or aphasic.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- Which emergency number calls the police?
- Which emergency number calls the SAMU?
- What is an emergency number?
More in this topic (Administrative procedures)
Source
Sheet “Annexe : les numéros d’urgence” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.