- Capital
- Paris (PAR)
- Dialing Code
- + 33
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +1
- Daylight Savings Time
- Last Sunday of March - last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2
- Language
- French
- Best Time to Go
- April - June & September - November
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
Travel Tips
- Smoking in public places is banned and carries heavy fines
- Local dialects are also spoken. English is widely understood and spoken
- French are very proud of their heritage, and appreciate attempts to speak a few words of their language
- Water in hotels and towns is safe to drink
- Meals are leisurely, so do not expect fast service at restaurants
- Punctuality is not strictly observed
Last updated 30 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
French Embassy in Pretoria
250 Melk Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, 0181 Pretoria
Telephone: 012 425 1600
Website: za.ambafrance.org
French Consulate-General in Johannesburg
Rosebank Corner Building, 3rd floor 191, Jan Smuts Avenue - Parktown North
Telephone: 011 778 5600
Email: info.johannesburg-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Website: johannesburg.consulfrance.org
French Consulate in Cape Town
78 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Telephone: 021 423 1575
E-mail: consulat.le-cap-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Website: lecap.consulfrance.org
Visa and Travel Enquiries:
Directed to the French Consulate-General in Johannesburg
Email: visas.johannesburg-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Visa Information:
Website: france-visas.gouv.fr
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
April: 6
May: 1, 8, 14, 25
July: 14
August: 15
November: 1, 11
December: 25
Visa Application Centre
CAPAGO
Telephone: 087 231 0313
Email: infofrance-za@capago.eu
Website: fr-za.capago.eu/
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 17:00
JHB: 5th Floor, Fredman Towers, 13 Fredman Drive, Sandown, Sandton
CPT: 19th Floor, The Towers South, Hertzog Blvd, Foreshore
DUR: 2 Ncondo Place Ridgeside, Umhlanga Ridge, Durban
Applications by appointment
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders
France is a member of the Schengen Agreement
- If you intend to visit only France, you must apply at the Embassy of France / Visa Application Centre
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or -Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry
Visas for Monaco
Holders of Schengen visas may enter Monaco. If Monaco is the main destination, the Schengen visa will be issued by the relevant French Authorities.
Requirements
See General Schengen Requirements
In Addition:
- Application form must be filled in online at france-visas.gouv.fr
- 2 recent passport photos
- Any additional supporting documents as indicated on the online application
- Copies of all original documents
Process
- Complete your visa application online at france-visas.gouv.fr. You can create groups of up to 6 applicants, with a maximum of 50 groups per account. The completed form must be printed
- The completed visa application form and supporting documents must be submitted at Capago. The visa fee and any applicable service fees will be payable. Biometrics will also be taken (if applicable)
Visa Processing Time
Usually 15 days. Applications cannot be submitted more than 6 months in advance
Visa Validity
Up to 90 days over a period of 180 days
Visa Cost
Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
Capago service fee: EUR 31
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy in Paris
59 Quai d’ Orsay 75343, Paris, Cedex, 07
Telephone: 01 53 59 23 23
Email: info.paris@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco.gov.za/paris