Heading to Paris with kids and wondering about hospital? Read this first.
Practical Info
Paris has excellent hospitals, but navigating the system as a foreigner takes some orientation. For emergencies, call 15 (SAMU) or go to the nearest urgences (emergency department). For children specifically, Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades in the 15th arrondissement is the main pediatric hospital and one of the best children's hospitals in Europe.
Cost
Emergency care in public hospitals is provided regardless of ability to pay. A basic ER visit at a public hospital costs around 30 to 50 EUR for the consultation, though tests and imaging add up. The American Hospital of Paris is private and significantly more expensive, with ER visits starting around 150 to 300 EUR, but the process is smoother for English speakers. Keep the feuille de soins (care sheet) they give you for insurance claims.
Practical tips
If your child needs emergency care, Necker is the place to go. It's a teaching hospital attached to the University of Paris and handles everything from broken bones to serious illnesses. The ER can be busy, especially evenings and weekends, so expect a wait for non-critical cases. The American Hospital of Paris in Neuilly is the go-to for English-speaking adults. It operates like a private US-style hospital. For something non-urgent, SOS Medecins will send a doctor to your hotel.
Language
At Necker and the major public hospitals, doctors speak English but reception and nursing staff may not. At the American Hospital, everything runs in English. Bring your passport and European Health Insurance Card if you have one.
With kids
Necker-Enfants Malades is purpose-built for children and handles the full range of pediatric emergencies. Robert Debre in the 19th arrondissement is the other major children's hospital. Both have pediatric emergency departments separate from the adult ER.
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This page is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Information may be outdated or inaccurate. Always call ahead to confirm. See our full disclaimer.
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Sources: Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades (AP-HP) · American Hospital of Paris · CDC Travel Health: France