cell phone adapters

While in Paris, I recharge my USA bought Nokia using just the two pronged round plug.

Nearly all electronics: computers, cameras, phones are dual voltage. We haul several of these on our trips and all of them use just a simple plug adapter. Always worth checking but yours probably work that way too.

FAQ that RS travel tip addresses: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/electric-adapters-converters

If you see a range of voltages printed on the item or its plug (such
as "110–220"), you're OK in Europe. Some older appliances have a
voltage switch marked 110 (US) and 220 (Europe) — switch it to 220 as
you pack.

Check the nameplate on your device. If it is rated for something like 110 to 240 VAC at 50/60 Hz, you just need the plug adaptor to work with the French 220-240 VAC.

Almost all chargers these days are multi-voltage (100-240), and all you need is a plug adapter. But do check yours to be sure; you may need a magnifying glass. A few years ago, someone posted here that their replacement charger bought on Amazon (not the one originally supplied with their phone) was NOT multi-voltage.

I am not willing to risk an mac air book that cost 1k...

Safe charging comes down to checking your device's technical specifications for its electrical operating requirements. The power unit should also be marked with power input information.

To use the above example, Apple MacBook Air, and as an example a current model, Apples technical specification defines electrical power requirements as follows:
https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/specs/

Electrical and Operating Requirements

Line voltage: 100-240V AC

Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz

You are good to go in France (220-240 vac 50Hz).

There's no risk at all from the voltage if your power adapter is rated to 220-240 volts and you plug into a 220-240 volt power source. Zero risk from the voltage. An electronic power adapter is just a waste of money and weight in your bag for that.

There is a much bigger risk plugging the device into some unknown power source at a hotel or apartment that could produce power surges. A "power strip" offers no surge protection at all - unless it truly says it offers surge protection. You'd be much safer getting a real surge protector plugged into a simple non-electronic plug adapter. If I took expensive devices to Europe with me, I would invest in a surge protector for sure.

gift,

It's very likely that your cell phone chargers are designed for multi-voltage operation. You can verify that by looking for the words Input Voltage on the chargers. If this states, "Input 100-240 VAC", then all you'll need is inexpensive Plug Adaptors to use in Europe. Try to avoid using Voltage Converters as there are two principles used in conversion, and it's important to use the correct type with electronic products.

It's interesting to read someone willing to trust thousands of dollars of electronics on the reliability of an $8 transformer rather than trusting the original manufacturers that designed and manufactured their devices to operate on both types of alternating current.

Brad, what if the transformer's specifications are wrong? Why do you trust the corporation that makes the transformer but not the corporations that make the original power adapters? You aren't adding any "extra protection" by using the transformer - you're simply moving your "trust" to a different device. I tend to trust the original manufacturers over some third party that has had no involvement at all in the design of my devices. I'd trust Apple over some little $8 transformer's probably unknown manufacturer.

I've only ever burned up one device in Europe: a white noise machine's power adapter, which I foolishly assumed was rated for 240 volts so I plugged it into the adapter. It was not - after it failed, I looked at the specs on the label and sure enough, rated only up to 120 volts. My mistake. But this was an older device. None of the laptops, cell phones, or any other device I've plugged in has had a problem, and I've looked at the adapter specs ever since, just to make sure.

If I were concerned about the quality of the French electrical supply (and I'm not), a quality 240VAC surge protector would be a better bet than a no-name voltage "converter".

Brad, I've lived for years in France with American-bought computers, external hard drives, phones, and even an electric razor. All are dual-voltage and specifically designed to work on both American and European current. Your concern seems to lack basis. If it makes you feel better, don't forget your transformer. But it's not necessary.

Just to reiterate my earlier point that it's still prudent to check the phone charger (and other appliances) to ensure that it's designed for operation from 100-240 VAC. In all likelihood that will be the case.

There is NO need to use an extra Voltage Converter in conjunction with a power supply that's designed for multiple voltages. If the wrong type of Voltage Converter (ie: a solid-state model) is used, it could damage the phone charger. Keep in mind that the same multi-voltage phone chargers sold in North America are also sold to consumers around the world, but simply fitted with a plug for the country of sale. As K mentioned, he's been using a variety of multi-voltage power supplies in Europe for years, and they work fine.

I'd say the best post to reduce confusion is Edgar's. Check the fine print on your charger. Chance are very good that all you need is the plug adapter. Adapters are small and don't weigh much so I normally pack an extra, in case one is lost. It's a good idea to use a little tape to connect the adapter to your charger so it's less likely you'll grab the charger and leave the adapter behind, still plugged into the wall.

In a car, you don't need any adapter just the same car charger as at home.