Travelling to Cameroon from France: visa, flights, time and money
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 7 min read
Travelling from France to Cameroon is one of the simplest trips to Central Africa: there are daily direct flights from Paris to Douala and Yaoundé, the euro is fixed to the FCFA, plugs are the same and, in winter, so is the time. French passport holders still need a visa, applied for online at evisacam.cm, and a yellow fever certificate. Here is what is specific to leaving from France.
Visa from France: the e-visa and the Paris embassy
French nationals need a visa, applied for before departure on the official portal evisacam.cm. Applications from France are handled by the Embassy of Cameroon in Paris (73 rue d'Auteuil, 16th arrondissement); there is also a consulate in Marseille (87 cours Pierre Puget). There is no visa on arrival at Douala or Yaoundé. The general steps (form, documents, payment, approval) are in our guide to preparing your trip.
| Question | From France |
|---|---|
| Who handles it | Embassy of Cameroon in Paris; consulate in Marseille |
| Short-stay fee | Shown on the portal when you pay; around €150 to €170 at the time of writing |
| Processing | Often about 3 working days; a dearer express option exists |
| Visa sticker | Paris or Marseille area: often at the embassy or consulate (fingerprints). Elsewhere: usually on arrival at the airport |
The sticker
Your approval comes with instructions. If they ask you to go to the embassy or consulate for fingerprints and the sticker, do it before flying. If they say it is done on arrival, travel with the printed approval and its QR code, and keep time for a queue at the airport.
Flights from France to Douala and Yaoundé
At the time of writing, Air France flies direct from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to both Douala (DLA) and Yaoundé-Nsimalen (NSI), usually once a day each, in about 6½ to 7½ hours. From Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux or Nantes, the usual route is a connection in Paris. Routes and schedules change, so check before booking; one-stop alternatives include, for example:
| Airline | Via | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Air France | Direct from Paris-CDG | The only direct option from France at the time of writing |
| Brussels Airlines | Brussels | Easy from the North of France by train |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | Departures from several French cities |
| Royal Air Maroc | Casablanca | Often good value; check the layover length |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | From Paris and Marseille |
Choose the airport by where you are going: Douala for the Littoral and the West, Yaoundé for the Centre and the South. Many evening flights land late, so book your arrival transport before you leave.
Time difference with France
| Period | Time in Cameroon |
|---|---|
| Winter time in France (late October to late March) | Same time as Paris |
| Summer time in France (late March to late October) | One hour behind Paris (noon in Paris = 11 am in Douala) |
Cameroon stays on GMT+1 all year and does not change its clocks. Jet lag is not an issue; the night flight back is the tiring part.
Euros, FCFA and sending money home
- The rate is fixed: 1 euro = 655.957 FCFA. 100 euros is about 65,600 FCFA. You always know what you will get.
- Bring some euros in cash: they are the easiest currency to change in Cameroon. Withdraw FCFA from cash machines in town with your card (Visa is the most widely accepted) and tell your bank you are travelling.
- Sending money to family: apps such as Taptap Send, WorldRemit, Remitly or Western Union pay straight into MTN MoMo or Orange Money wallets, often within minutes. Since the rate is fixed, compare the FCFA actually received per euro: anything below 655.957 is the service's margin.
What to pack from France
- No adapter needed: Cameroon uses the same plugs as France (types C and E, 220 V).
- Light cotton clothes, a rain jacket from June to October, something slightly warmer for Yaoundé evenings.
- Your yellow fever certificate with your passport, and your usual medicines in their box. See a travel clinic about malaria prevention.
- The Douane CMR app: fill in the Cameroon customs declaration before you fly. It produces a QR code scanned on arrival, and some airlines check it at boarding.
- Printed copies: visa approval, bookings, the address where you stay.
- Check your airline's baggage allowance: many families travel with extra bags of gifts.
Travel advice and registration
The French foreign ministry, like several other governments, formally advises against the Far North and the North-West, parts of the South-West and the border areas; Douala and Yaoundé are visited with ordinary precautions. Read the ministry's Cameroon page before you go and register your trip on Fil d'Ariane to receive alerts.
France is home to the largest Cameroonian community in Europe, and many trips are family visits, holidays or events. If you are coming home for December or a ceremony, read our guides to the holidays and funerals and family events.
Frequently asked questions
Do French citizens need a visa for Cameroon?
Yes. French nationals apply online at evisacam.cm before departure; the file is handled by the Embassy of Cameroon in Paris. There is no visa on arrival.
Is there a direct flight from Paris to Douala?
Yes, at the time of writing Air France flies direct from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Douala and to Yaoundé, in about 6½ to 7½ hours.
What is the time difference between France and Cameroon?
None in winter. In summer, when France is on daylight saving time, Cameroon is one hour behind Paris.
Do I need a plug adapter from France to Cameroon?
No. Cameroon uses the same type C and E plugs as France, at 220 V.
How much is 100 euros in FCFA?
About 65,600 FCFA, since the rate is fixed at 1 euro = 655.957 FCFA. Exchange offices and transfer apps take a margin on top.