Pharmacies in France offer not only medications but also beauty products, daily necessities, and more, making them an essential resource for everyday life in France.
This guide will help you understand what you can find and buy at French pharmacies.
The role of pharmacies in France
Pharmacies in France are recognized for their quality, trustworthiness, and professional advice. French pharmacists are highly trained and can provide prescription medications (sur ordonnance) as well as over-the-counter medications (en vente libre).
How to identify pharmacies in France?
You can easily spot pharmacies by their large green cross. Most are open Monday–Saturday, and some have 24-hour locations.
Every neighborhood has its local pharmacy, but larger chains offering a wider range of products are becoming increasingly popular. They often provide more competitive prices due to the larger quantities they can stock compared to smaller, independent pharmacies.
Popular pharmacy chains in France include:
- Pharmacie Monge: Known for competitive prices and a wide selection of healthcare and beauty products.
- Pharmacie Lafayette: Offers a broad range of health, beauty, and wellness items with multiple locations across France.
- CityPharma: Located in Paris, famous for its extensive skincare and health products at lower prices, attracting both locals and visitors.
Common medications available in pharmacies in France
French pharmacies carry a wide range of medicines for everyday conditions:
| Condition | Common medications |
|---|---|
| Pain relief | Doliprane, Dafalgan, Efferalgan |
| Cold Flu | Actifed Rhume, Humex Rhume, Fervex, Advil Rhume |
| Headaches Migraines | Nurofen, Advil |
| Stomach pain | Rennie, Gaviscon, Spasfon |
| Insect bites Itchiness | Butix, Synthol |
| Muscle pain | Voltaren gels, creams, patches |
| Travel sickness | Nausicalm, Mercalm |
Beauty products recommended by dermatologists
French pharmacies are renowned for premium beauty products, often available only in this channel. You’ll find dermatologist-recommended brands like La Roche-Posay, Garancia, and Avène, which are rarely sold in supermarkets.
These products are backed by scientific research and dermatological testing.
Everyday hygiene essentials
Pharmacies also carry a wide selection of hygiene and wellness products:
- Dental care: Toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes (Oral B, Listerine)
- Hair care: Shampoos and conditioners (Klorane)
- Body care: Soap, body lotion, and creams (Bioderma)
- Nutritional supplements: Vitamins and minerals (Aragan, Pileje)
- Baby care: Lotions and wipes (Mustela)
Useful vocabulary for buying medicine in France
Knowing a few key French phrases can make your pharmacy visits easier:
- Avez-vous quelque chose pour les maux de tête ?
Do you have something for a headache? - J’ai mal à la tête / au ventre / à la gorge.
I have a headache / stomachache / sore throat. - Pouvez-vous me recommander quelque chose pour le rhume / mal de dos / mal de ventre ?
Can you recommend something for a cold / back pain / stomach ache?
Check out our guide to useful medical terms in French to learn more.
And, if you like to read more about French culture, make sure to follow our blog where we cover everything you need to know about France.
