Stay Connected in France
Navigate, share, and stay in touch with our comprehensive eSIM guide for France.
1Introduction to France as a Travel Destination
France is the world's most popular tourist destination, attracting nearly 90–100 million international visitors each year. From the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris to the sunny beaches of the French Riviera and the vineyards of Bordeaux, France offers a rich blend of culture, history, and cuisine that appeals to travelers worldwide. As a modern country with excellent infrastructure, staying connected in France is relatively easy.
2Mobile and Internet Infrastructure
France boasts a well-developed mobile and internet infrastructure. All four major mobile operators – Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile – offer extensive 4G LTE coverage across the country and have launched 5G services in urban areas.
Orange (the largest provider) covers 99% of the population with 4G coverage, and 5G coverage is rapidly expanding (Free Mobile alone claims to reach 95% of the population with 5G on its network). This means visitors can expect generally reliable, high-speed mobile internet in most cities and towns.
Network Providers Overview
| Provider | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | 99% 4G population coverage, 5G in major cities | Rated #1 for mobile service quality by the French regulator ARCEP for multiple years |
| SFR | Extensive 4G coverage, 5G in urban areas | Second-largest operator in France |
| Bouygues Telecom | Strong 4G in cities, 5G expanding | Popular choice for tourist SIMs |
| Free Mobile | 95% 5G population coverage claimed | Known for competitive pricing |
3Guide to Getting Mobile Internet
Local SIM vs eSIM
When it comes to getting mobile data in France, you have two main options: buying a local SIM card (physical SIM) from a French provider, or using an eSIM (a digital SIM that you download to your phone). A prepaid French SIM gives you a local French phone number and often a generous data package for use in France (and usually throughout Europe, thanks to EU roaming). An eSIM lets you purchase and download a France data plan without a physical card – you simply scan a QR code or use an app to activate the plan on your eSIM-compatible phone.
Where to Buy
If you decide on a physical SIM, it's easy to purchase one upon arrival at major airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly. Dedicated tourist SIM cards are sold at airport shops such as Relay convenience stores and at Tourist Information desks. In downtown areas and other cities, you can buy SIM cards at mobile carrier stores (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free shops are common in city centers and malls), as well as many electronics retailers or grocery stores. For eSIMs, you can purchase online before your trip through carrier websites or international eSIM providers like Airalo or Holafly.
4Major Mobile Providers and Plans
Orange
As the largest network in France (and often the highest rated for coverage and speed), Orange is a popular choice. Orange offers a tourist-friendly prepaid SIM known as Orange Holiday. The standard Orange Holiday plan includes 20 GB of data usable all across Europe, unlimited calls and texts within Europe, plus some international minutes/SMS, valid for 14 days.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Holiday | 20 GB | 14 days | €39.99 |
|
| Orange Holiday Zen | 8-10 GB | 14 days | ~€20 |
|
| Orange Travel eSIM | 30-100 GB | 14-28 days | €35-€50 |
|
Bouygues Telecom
Bouygues is another major provider and has become a top pick for tourist SIMs recently. They sell a "Prépayé Vacances"/Tourist SIM that, at Paris airports, comes with 30 GB data valid in Europe, plus unlimited calls/SMS in France and some international calling credit.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| My European SIM | 30 GB | 30 days | €39.90 |
|
| My European eSIM | 30 GB | 30 days | €39.90 |
|
Airalo (eSIM)
Airalo is a popular international eSIM marketplace that offers affordable data plans for travelers in virtually every country. For France, Airalo's local eSIM (often called "Bonjour" by Airalo) provides packages with various data amounts and a 30-day validity period.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonjour 5GB | 5 GB | 30 days | ~$15 |
|
| Bonjour 10GB | 10 GB | 30 days | ~$23 |
|
| Bonjour 20GB | 20 GB | 30 days | ~$36 |
|
Holafly (eSIM)
Holafly is another well-known provider specializing in travel eSIMs, and they differentiate by offering unlimited data plans for a fixed duration. For France (and Europe), Holafly offers plans with various validity periods of unlimited data for a flat price.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited 5 Days | Unlimited | 5 days | ~$19 |
|
| Unlimited 10 Days | Unlimited | 10 days | ~$34 |
|
| Unlimited 30 Days | Unlimited | 30 days | ~$64 |
|
5Device Compatibility and Activation
Before purchasing any SIM or eSIM, ensure your device is compatible. If bringing a phone from outside Europe, it must be GSM/LTE capable and network-unlocked (most modern smartphones are). For eSIMs, confirm that your phone supports eSIM functionality – generally iPhone XR/XS or newer (including all iPhone 11/12/13/14/15 models) support eSIM, as do many Google Pixels (3 and later) and recent Samsung Galaxy S and Note series. Activating a SIM/eSIM is straightforward. For a physical SIM, insert it and your phone should pick up the network (you may need to enter a PIN from the SIM packaging). For an eSIM, you will typically scan a QR code provided by the seller or install via the provider's app. Note that SIM Registration in France is mandatory, so you'll need to register with your ID/passport either at the point of sale or shortly after activation.
6Tips and FAQs for Staying Connected
Can I use a dual SIM phone to keep my home SIM active while in France?
Yes! If your phone supports dual SIM or eSIM, you can absolutely use two SIMs: for example, put a French SIM/eSIM for data and local calls, and keep your home SIM in the secondary slot for any important texts or calls you might receive. This way, you retain your regular number (for services like banking OTP texts or family reaching you) but use the inexpensive local data on the other SIM. Just remember to turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid accidental charges.
Will my eSIM or SIM from France work in other European countries?
In most cases, yes. Thanks to EU roaming regulations, any plan from an EU country (France is in the EU) can be used in other EU nations (plus EEA countries) without extra fees. For instance, an Orange France SIM with data can be used in Spain, Italy, Germany, etc., from the same data allowance. All the tourist-focused SIMs (Orange Holiday, Bouygues) explicitly include Europe-wide usage. If you buy an eSIM for France from an international provider, many offer a Europe or "regional" version – e.g. Airalo's Eurolink covers 39 European countries.
What is the emergency number in France, and can I call without a SIM?
The universal European emergency number is 112. In France, you can dial 112 for free from any phone to reach emergency services (police, fire, medical). This works even without a SIM card or with a locked phone, as long as you have some signal from any network. France also has specific numbers like 15 (medical SAMU), 17 (police), 18 (fire), but 112 will connect you to an operator who can direct your call appropriately and usually has English-speaking staff available.
How can I use offline maps or minimize data usage while traveling?
Even with a good data plan, it's smart to have offline maps ready. Before your trip (or when you have Wi-Fi), download maps of France (or specific cities/regions) on Google Maps – the Offline Maps feature lets you save areas so you can navigate without using data. Apps like Maps.me or Here WeGo are also great for offline navigation. This helps in rural areas with weak signal and saves your data for other uses. Another tip: when possible, use Wi-Fi for heavy data tasks like uploading large photos or updating apps.
Conclusion
With this eSIM and mobile data guide for France, you should be well-prepared to stay connected on your trip. Whether you opt for a local SIM at the airport or choose a convenient eSIM before departure, France offers plenty of options to get online. With reliable networks, competitive tourist plans, and the flexibility of modern eSIM technology, you can enjoy your French adventure while easily using maps, translating phrases, posting updates, and contacting friends and family. Bonne voyage and happy connecting!