electric plug/outlet in France?

I have always been able to use the two prong configuration anywhere in France. Not a for sure answer as I haven't been lucky enough to go to France in two years so things may have changed! I am sure someone currently there can give you a more up to date answer!

I have always used the two prong ones sold in the Rick Steves store without issue:

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/european-power-adapter

The third prong is like the third prong on US plugs -- it is for grounding. As long as you are using items that only have two blades on the US wire and they are not the polarized type (one blade wider than the other on the plug) you should be OK using them as long as whatever you are plugging in is relatively low wattage and handles 220 current.

The "Type E" outlet as shown in an earlier reply is the one that seems to be most common in France. The outlets with three prongs in a row are typically found in Italy. You will need to pack along a couple of Plug Adaptors in order to connect North American electrical devices in France. Most Plug Adaptors these days will accommodate North American polarized plugs (those with one blade wider than the other).

In addition to that, it is VERY IMPORTANT to check each device you'll be travelling with (including your curling iron) to ensure they're rated for operation on 220 VAC electrical systems. Look for the words "Input Voltage" on the device or on the chargers. DO NOT connect devices rated only for 115 VAC in Europe, as they will self destruct almost immediately, probably accompanied by sparks and smoke.

It would be good to use the correct term, for clarity: You asked about American "polarized" 15 Amp 120 Volt plugs. Just about all prong adapters sold today account for that. As someone else noted, you can't use them with your curling iron unless it has a 220V "switch" on it, to change its' operating voltage.

You can buy a cheap adapter for curling irons (it usually has a diode in it to halve the output voltage in a cheap-y way). But I don't recommend it, because if you plug ANYTHING other than a "heating" device (a resistive load like a curling iron) into it, the device is likely to be DESTROYED. So if you forget and plug your GPS charger (which likely only needs a prong adapter-it works on any voltage from 100 to 240) into the curling iron device (because it has an American outlet on it!), you'll destroy it.

After inadvertently frying a couple of hair dryers my wife (encouraged by her husband) finally decided to just buy one on arrival. Has saved a lot of heartache.

All of this info is extremely helpful - thank you all!

I've bought a couple of North American hot-air dryers over the years at the cheapest possible price and they have worked in France -- if I remembered to switch to 220. But they work only at low speed. And most hotels either put local blowers in the bathroom or have them available at reception. Heating irons are another problem altogether and, according to word-of-mouth (word-of-Forum?) prone to fireworks. The French adapter plug, by the way, has two prongs plus a socket hole for the grounding pin which projects from the wall receptacle. The older two-prong adapters may snuggle past that pin but it can be a struggle and your device won't be grounded, a factor when using electronics such as a tablet.

"You can buy a cheap adapter for curling irons (it usually has a diode in it to halve the output voltage in a cheap-y way)."

Just for clarity, most Voltage Converters don't use only a diode, but rather some form of switch-mode power supply to reduce the voltage from 220 to 115 VAC. These provide a very rough AC waveform, and are therefore only recommended for cheap and simple appliances which only use a resistive heating element. Some brands of hair appliances have some electronic components, and specifically prohibit using them with that type of Converter.