French Postal Codes

French postal codes are five digits: a two-digit department prefix and a three-digit commune code. Spoken in two chunks (75001 = soixante-quinze, zero-zero-un). Paris arrondissements occupy 75001 to 75020.

Updated May 2026

CodeCitySpokenNoteAudio
75001Paris 1ersoixante-quinze, zero-zero-un1st arrondissement of Paris. Read in two chunks: department 75, then 001.
75020Paris 20esoixante-quinze, zero-vingt20th arrondissement. Last Paris arrondissement.
13001Marseille 1ertreize, zero-zero-unMarseille arrondissements use 13001 to 13016.
69001Lyon 1ersoixante-neuf, zero-zero-unLyon arrondissements use 69001 to 69009.
06000Nicezero-six, zero-zero-zeroDepartment 06 (Alpes-Maritimes). Note the leading zero on the department.
33000Bordeauxtrente-trois, zero-zero-zero
59000Lillecinquante-neuf, zero-zero-zero
97400Saint-Denis (Reunion)quatre-vingt-dix-sept, quatre-centsOverseas: 97 prefix.

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Frequently asked

How long is a French postal code?

Five digits. La Poste introduced the 5-digit code postal in 1972 to replace the older format. The first two digits identify the department (01 to 95 for metropolitan France, 97 and 98 for overseas), and the last three digits identify the commune within the department.

How do French people read postal codes aloud?

In two chunks. First the 2-digit department prefix, then the 3-digit commune part. 75001 = soixante-quinze, zero-zero-un (Paris first). Some speakers read all five digits separately for clarity, especially over the phone.

Why does Paris have codes 75001 to 75020?

Each of the 20 Paris arrondissements has its own postal code in the 75001 to 75020 range. 75001 is the 1st arrondissement, 75020 is the 20th. The same pattern applies to Marseille (13001 to 13016) and Lyon (69001 to 69009). The Paris codes are the most widely recognised because the 75 prefix is shorthand for Paris itself.

What does the 97 prefix mean?

97 prefixes the overseas departments and territories: 971 Guadeloupe, 972 Martinique, 973 French Guiana, 974 Reunion, 976 Mayotte. 98 prefixes the overseas collectivities (Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, French Polynesia, etc.). The first three digits identify the overseas territory; the last two refine the commune.

How do you write a French postal code on an envelope?

On the line above the city name, with no internal space: 75001 Paris. La Poste recommends uppercase for both the postal code and the city: 75001 PARIS. This matches the AFNOR NF Z 10-011 standard for addressing in France.

Sources: La Poste, AFNOR NF Z 10-011 (addressing standard).

Updated 2026-05-11