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Time in France Now
Western Europe Time Now – Clocks by Country
See the current time across Western European countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and more.
Exact Current Time in France Now
The current time in France (metropolitan France, incl. Corsica) follows Central European Time (CET) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST) in summer.
For a global view, see our current time page or compare instantly with the time converter.
Note: France’s overseas departments and territories use different time zones and are not covered on this page.
France time zone(s)
Metropolitan France operates one national time zone.
| Time Zone | Example City/Region | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Central European Time (CET) / Central European Summer Time (CEST) | Paris (Île-de-France) | UTC +1 / +2 (DST) |
IANA time zone ID: Europe/Paris.
Daylight Saving Time in France
DST starts: Last Sunday in March → clocks go forward 1 hour
DST ends: Last Sunday in October → clocks go back 1 hour
France follows the European Union DST schedule, keeping time aligned with neighbors such as Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Planning around clock changes? Check the calendar or set an event countdown timer.
Major cities in France & their time
| City | Time Zone | Typical Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | CET / CEST | UTC +1 / +2 |
| Marseille | CET / CEST | UTC +1 / +2 |
| Lyon | CET / CEST | UTC +1 / +2 |
| Toulouse | CET / CEST | UTC +1 / +2 |
| Nice | CET / CEST | UTC +1 / +2 |
All metropolitan regions use the same CET/CEST rules.
Quick facts — France time
Number of time zones (metropolitan): 1
Capital city: Paris
Default time zone: Central European Time (CET)
DST observed: Yes (March–October)
IANA ID:
Europe/ParisUTC offsets: UTC +1 (standard), UTC +2 (DST)
Overseas note: Overseas departments/territories (e.g., Réunion, Guadeloupe, French Guiana) use other time zones.
For verified background, see 👉 Time in France — Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many time zones does metropolitan France have?
Metropolitan France uses one time zone nationwide. All regions, including Corsica, follow CET in winter and CEST in summer.
Does France observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. France advances clocks by one hour on the last Sunday in March and returns to standard time on the last Sunday in October.
What is France’s official time zone?
The official zone is Central European Time (CET), which becomes Central European Summer Time (CEST) during the DST period.
What are the UTC offsets for France across the year?
France runs at UTC +1 during standard time and UTC +2 while Daylight Saving Time is in effect.
Is France in the same time zone as Germany and Spain?
Yes. France shares the CET/CEST system with Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and other Central European countries.
What is the IANA time zone ID for France?
The IANA identifier for metropolitan France is Europe/Paris, which systems and websites use for precise timekeeping.
How can I compare France’s local time with another city?
Use our time converter to quickly compare Paris time with any global city and see the difference in hours.