Getting Glasses in France: Ophtalmologues, Ordonnances, 100% Santé and Where to Buy (2026)
In France, glasses start with an ophtalmologue (eye doctor), whose ordonnance (prescription) stays valid for years; an opticien (optician) then fits your glasses, and the Sécu + mutuelle combination — or the 100% Santé scheme — covers much or all of the cost. Even pharmacies sell contact lenses here. This guide walks through each step, plus online ordering, insurance and the spare-pair strategy.
1. Getting an eye test and your prescription
The classic route is an ophtalmologue: a conventionné (sector 1) visit costs around €30, of which the Sécu reimburses 70% and your mutuelle typically covers the rest. Waiting times for appointments are long in many cities — book early. Opticiens also offer free in-store eye tests (réfraction) and can adjust your correction within the validity of an existing ordonnance.
An ordonnance stays valid for: 1 year for under-16s; 5 years for glasses and 3 years for contact lenses for ages 16–42; 3 years for over-43s. If your glasses break, an opticien can remake them identically from a still-valid ordonnance — no new eye test needed.
2. Frames and lenses: what the options mean
Single-vision lenses (verres unifocaux) correct one distance; progressive lenses (verres progressifs) blend distance, intermediate and near correction into one lens with no visible line. Blue-light coating (anti-lumière bleue) filters part of the blue spectrum from screens — the evidence for eye-health benefits is mixed, so treat it as a comfort add-on rather than a medical necessity. Photochromic lenses (verres photochromiques) darken automatically in sunlight, handy if you dislike switching between glasses and sunglasses.
If your prescription is strong (roughly beyond ±4.00 dioptres), ask about high-index lenses (1.67 or 1.74): noticeably thinner and lighter, but pricier. Frame materials: acetate (acétate — light, colourful, easily adjusted), titanium (titane — very light, strong, often hypoallergenic) and memory metal (métal à mémoire de forme — flexible and hard to snap, a good pick for children and sport).
3. Contact lenses: daily, monthly and toric
Daily disposables (journalières) are the most convenient and hygienic option; monthly lenses (mensuelles) cost less per day but need daily cleaning and care. If you have astigmatism you need toric lenses (toriques), which are made with a different geometry and come in both daily and monthly versions.
In France you cannot buy contact lenses without a valid ordonnance — this is a strict rule. The French specialty: pharmacies (pharmacies) also sell contact lenses, the fastest option if you run out on a weekend. Online contact lens retailers such as Lentiamo (name only) also require the prescription at checkout.
4. Where to buy: local opticians vs online
Local chains: Afflelou, Atol, Optic 2000, Krys, GrandOptical (names only); Jimmy Fairly leans fashionable; LunettesPourTous is a budget physical chain, ideal for a cheap spare pair. Online: Mister Spex (name only).
Online ordering: enter your SPH, CYL, AXIS and ADD values from the ordonnance, pick a frame, and supply your pupillary distance (PD) in millimetres — the ordonnance does not usually print PD, so measure it yourself (many sites post a free PD ruler or offer a phone measuring tool). EU online purchases come with a 14-day withdrawal right; delivery usually takes several days to a couple of weeks — check the returns policy before ordering.
5. Small accessories that save your glasses
Anti-slip nose pads (plaquettes antidérapantes) stop glasses sliding down in summer; a glasses chain or cord (chaîne/cordon) keeps them around your neck; a sport strap (bandeau/cordon sport) holds them on while running or cycling; an anti-fog cloth (lingette antibuée) helps when you walk from the cold street into a heated room. All of these are sold on Amazon.fr — accessories only, no prescription glasses (mention only, no links).
6. Insurance: Sécu, mutuelle and 100% Santé
Ophtalmologue visit: the Sécu reimburses 70% of the conventionné tariff, and your mutuelle tops up the rest according to your contract. For lenses and frames, the Sécu reimburses on a modest fixed base — the bulk comes from your mutuelle's "forfait optique" (optical allowance), whose level depends on your contract.
The 100% Santé scheme (zero out-of-pocket): choose class A (classe A) frames and lenses and the Sécu plus your mutuelle (contrat responsable) cover everything — reste à charge €0. Class B (classe B) is freely priced, and anything above your allowance is on you. The optical allowance renews every 2 years from age 16 (every year for children under 16) — check your remaining balance before ordering.
7. Why you need a spare pair (and how to get one cheap)
Glasses break, get sat on, or disappear at the worst possible moment. A spare pair turns a lost pair into an inconvenience instead of an emergency — especially if you cannot function without them. The cheapest route: use your still-valid ordonnance at a budget chain like LunettesPourTous, or order online with a basic frame and standard lenses — a functional spare pair does not cost much. Keep it somewhere fixed — a desk drawer or your travel bag — so it is actually there when you need it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does my mutuelle actually cover?
It depends on your contract. Check your "forfait optique" (optical allowance) and remaining balance first; with a 100% Santé class A package, the Sécu plus your mutuelle cover everything and you pay €0. For class B frames and lenses, anything above the allowance is out of pocket.
My ordonnance has expired — can I just go to the shop to renew it?
If it has expired, no — you need a new ophtalmologue visit. But as long as the ordonnance is still valid (5 years for glasses between ages 16 and 42), the opticien can do the refraction and renewal directly, with no hospital queue.
Do I need a prescription to buy contact lenses?
Yes. In France, buying contact lenses requires a valid ordonnance, in stores and online alike. The upside: pharmacies also sell contact lenses, the fastest channel when you urgently need them on a weekend.
Can I order online with a French ordonnance?
Yes. A French ordonnance follows the international format (SPH / CYL / AXIS / ADD), so any online glasses retailer worldwide can use it. The only number to prepare yourself is the pupillary distance (PD), which the ordonnance does not usually print — measure it before filling in the form.
My glasses broke but my ordonnance is still valid — what do I do?
Take the old ordonnance to the opticien: they can remake the glasses identically (renouvellement à l'identique) with no new eye test. Bring the broken pair too — it helps verify the parameters.
Sources
- Ameli, Assurance Maladie: https://www.ameli.fr
- Ministère de la Santé, 100% Santé: https://www.sante.gouv.fr
- Mister Spex France: https://www.misterspex.fr