Paris Zip Codes and Addresses, Explained Simply

List of Zip Codes for Paris

Paris doesn’t have just one zip code. It has 21. Yes, that’s right, 21.

Why so many?

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or neighborhoods. Each arrondissement has its own postal code. Then one arrondissement has two codes, which brings the total to 21.

Here is the full list of Paris arrondissement codes:

• Arrondissement 1 = 75001
• Arrondissement 2 = 75002
• Arrondissement 3 = 75003
• Arrondissement 4 = 75004
• Arrondissement 5 = 75005
• Arrondissement 6 = 75006
• Arrondissement 7 = 75007
• Arrondissement 8 = 75008
• Arrondissement 9 = 75009
• Arrondissement 10 = 75010
• Arrondissement 11 = 75011
• Arrondissement 12 = 75012
• Arrondissement 13 = 75013
• Arrondissement 14 = 75014
• Arrondissement 15 = 75015
• Arrondissement 16 = 75016 and 75116
• Arrondissement 17 = 75017
• Arrondissement 18 = 75018
• Arrondissement 19 = 75019
• Arrondissement 20 = 75020

The exception is the 16th arrondissement, which has two zip codes: 75016 and 75116. The first (75016) covers the southern section, while the second (75116) covers the northern section.

Here’s a little tip from experience. When I lived in the 11th, I quickly learned that Parisians often refer to their neighborhood by the last two digits of the zip code. Tell a local you live in “the 11th,” and you’ll fit right in. It became my favorite shortcut for describing where home was.

How to Read Paris Postal Codes

Let’s take the code for the first arrondissement: 75001.

• The first two numbers (75) correspond to the department. A department is a bit like a county in the United States. It’s made up of several cities identified by a number.
• The last two numbers represent the arrondissement. So in 75001, the “01” tells you it’s the first arrondissement.
• The middle zero is reserved for special purposes, like the 16th arrondissement with its two codes.

I’ll be honest, the first time I saw all those 75s, I assumed they were random. It wasn’t until a French friend explained the department system over coffee that it finally clicked. Once you understand the pattern, every French postal code across the country starts to make sense.

Map of Paris Arrondissements and Postal Codes

Now that you know the zip codes and how to read them, let’s look at the map. Below you’ll see an outline of the city and how the arrondissements are divided. They’re labeled 1 through 20, with their zip codes in parentheses.

The arrondissements spiral outward from the center like a snail shell, starting at the 1st near the Louvre. Learning this layout helped me picture exactly where a package was headed. When a friend told me she lived in the 19th, I instantly knew she was way up in the northeast corner rather than somewhere central.

How to Write a Paris Address

Writing a mailing address in Paris is the same as writing an address for anywhere in France.

There are four main lines required:

• Line 1: Name of the individual or business
• Line 2: Building number and street name
• Line 3: Zip code and city name (Paris)
• Line 4: Country of destination (France)

The country line is optional if you’re mailing within France, but I always add it so there’s no confusion.

Helpful Tip: While it’s not required, it’s common to capitalize all the letters in someone’s last name and write it before the first name.

Here’s an example of a properly written Paris address:

The first letter I addressed in France, I wrote everything in the American order and put the zip code after the city.

My French husband corrected me before I mailed it, pointing out that the code always comes before “Paris.” That small fix saved my letter from bouncing around, and I’ve written it the French way ever since.

How to Send a Letter to Paris

Sending a letter to Paris is simple once you know the steps.

1. Write the recipient’s information in the middle of the envelope.
2. Add your return address to the upper left corner, using the same format.
3. Place your stamps in the upper right corner. The number depends on where you’re mailing to and from.

Once your envelope is addressed, all that’s left is a trip to your local post office.

Helpful Tip: Even though most people in Paris speak French, you can address envelopes in English without a problem.

I learned this the reassuring way. Early on, I panicked about whether my English handwriting would confuse the sorters. So I sent a test postcard to myself, half in English, half in French. It arrived just fine, and I stopped stressing about it.

Shipping Options

Main Postal Service (La Poste)

The main postal service is La Poste. It handles mail, parcels, and packages and offers a variety of tracking options. Think of it as the French equivalent of the United States Postal Service.

I’ll be honest with you: I try to avoid La Poste whenever I can. In my experience, the service is slow and unreliable, and my packages have arrived dented, crushed, or half-open more times than I can count. One winter, I received a box so battered I honestly thought it had been run over.

That said, there are moments when you’ll have no other choice. The most common instance is when you need to send something recommandé. This special service ensures your documents are received, making it essential for official paperwork like taxes.

Once your parcel is signed for, you’ll get an avis de réception, an official document confirming successful delivery. I’ve relied on it for everything from residency paperwork to my citizenship file, so I’m grateful it exists; even if the overall experience tests my patience.

Alternative Shipping Services

If you’re looking to send or receive packages from another country, services like UPS, FedEx, and DHL are far more dependable alternatives to La Poste.

They all deliver to Paris, France, and offer a variety of shipping options with package tracking across borders.

You can even order items from Amazon and have them delivered to your address in Paris, a pick-up point (point relais), or an Amazon locker.

In general, I prefer FedEx, DHL, or Amazon (if I need to order online) when it comes to international deliveries. In my experience, they’re more efficient and encounter fewer issues than UPS.

I learned this the hard way.

I once shipped an important package through UPS and spent days refreshing a tracking page that barely updated.

Later, I sent a similar package with DHL; it arrived days sooner and in perfect condition. Since then, I’ve happily paid the higher fees for peace of mind when sending anything valuable.

Final Thoughts

What seems like a small detail can actually make a big difference when you’re trying to send mail, receive a package, or fill out an address correctly in France.

Paris may be split into 20 arrondissements and 21 postal codes, but once you understand how the system works, it becomes much easier to navigate.

Hopefully this guide has cleared up the confusion around Paris postal codes and shown you how to write a proper mailing address with confidence.

After more than a decade living in France, three years in Paris, and a French citizenship to show for it, I’ve navigated just about every postal quirk this country can throw at you.

If you’re still puzzling over French logistics, from mailing addresses to shipping and beyond, reach out for one-on-one help. I’d love to make it less overwhelming and a lot more manageable.

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• Is Paris an Island? Did It Used to Be an Island?
• I Lived in Paris. Here’s Why I Think People Love It
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• 33 Pros and Cons of Living in Paris

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