In Paris, France are the plug outlets different than in the U.S?

Question

I am bringing some electrics that need to be plugged into the wall. Are the plug outlets different that the ones in the U.S?

Will I need an adapter ?

Answer 1

yup, you'll need a converter

Answer 2

Not only the plugs, but also the voltage, both are different... The european plugs are round, not flat... And the voltage is 220 not 125. You will need an adapter and a voltage transformer. (Some electrical appliances have several voltage types, they just have to be switched, check yours out).

Answer 3

You will need a plug adapter and a power converter.  Check Radio Shack or Brookstone to get good ones.  Do not buy them from Wal~Mart -- I made that mistake and blew the breakers in my hotel.

Answer 4

you will definitely need an adapter. ever watch "just married" with ashton kutcher? the scene where he got electrocuted on his honeymoon should give you an answer.

Answer 5

They are different but you only need an voltage adapter for a few things and it's better to buy them here.  Instead just buy the plug adapter (2 should be enough) at the airport (the ones at best buy or circuit city are not very good and too expensive).

Hair dryers, curling irons, etc. in the U.S. run on 110 volts so you'll need to buy those items in France (Monoprix, a very numerous store kind of like French wal-mart).  

Why buy in France?  Well, the reason is that if you buy a power voltage converter in the U.S. it will be around 30-50 USD whereas a hair dryer in France will cost you 10-12 euros for a decent hair dryer.  Also, it's a big bulky thing that you just don't need.

Anything else (computers, most appliances, electronics) will already come with a built-in 240/100 converter.  To make sure, look at the power adapter for your electronic item and make sure it says something like "input 110/220 or AC 240/100 input".  If so, all you need to buy is a cheap plug adapter for your US plug.

But make sure it says "220/110" input.  Because if not it will burn out the power supply if you plug it into a European wall-plug.

So, ignore all that other answers that tell you to buy a voltage adapter and just get the cheap plug adapters in the airport shops.  Best place also are the travel stores in the mall.  They usually have better quality adapters than then ones in the airport.  Best to get a good one as the really cheap ones tend to be universal and will be a bit unsafe to be honest (sparky).

btw, just to pre-empt the "euro conversion" mania:

Most things are NOT more expensive in France than in the US.  The reason is that most things (other than hotels & food) are made in Asia (just like the US) so they are about the same price.  A cheap hair dryer, made in China, costs around 20 dollars in the US.  That same hair dryer will cost the US dollar equivalent here in France (around 10-15 euros).  The reason is that Chinese manufacturers use US dollars to sell to wholesalers.

Answer 6

Yes.  You will need a "kit" with a plug and a power adapter to use your electric items.  You can find this at a Target in the travel section .  I used mine in France and it worked fine in the hotel and then in the condo we used.