France eSIM
Mobile data for your trip to France. Install at home, switch it on when you land.
Network: Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free Mobile (5G)
- Hotspot works. As it should.
- QR code in your inbox within minutes of paying.
- Your days start when the eSIM first connects at your destination.
- Full refund as long as the eSIM is not installed.
- Data only. Your own number keeps working for calls and texts if you leave it on. Not sure your phone works with eSIM? Check it first
Details
- Coverage
- France. Networks: Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free Mobile (5G). Uses several local networks and switches automatically when one has no coverage.
- Validity
- 3 to 30 days, depending on the plan. The days start when the eSIM first connects at your destination.
- Hotspot
- Allowed. Share your data with a laptop, tablet or travel partner.
- Top-up
- Need more? Top up on the same eSIM.
- How it works
- Buy, install at home on wifi and switch on after landing. Read the guide
How much data do you need?
Set your trip length and how many hours a day you use each type of app. We suggest a plan that fits.
These numbers are estimates. Video quality, app settings and background updates change how much you use.
Travelling in France: the quick facts
France is Paris, the lavender of Provence, the beaches of the Riviera and the Alps. Below you find what helps to know before you land, and how our France eSIM with hotspot keeps you and your laptop online in Paris, Nice, Lyon and the rest of the country.
- CurrencyEuro (EUR, €)
- PlugsType C and E, 230 VSame as most of Europe
- LanguageFrench, English in tourist areas
- Emergency112 for police, ambulance and fire
- Taxi appsUber, Bolt and G7 taxis
- NetworksOrange, SFR, Bouygues and Free (5G where available)
- Time zoneUTC+1, UTC+2 in summer
Most visited places in France
Most trips start in Paris. Fast TGV trains bring you to Provence, the Riviera or the Alps in a few hours.
Paris
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre and long walks along the Seine. Book museum and tower tickets online, as time slots sell out.
Nice and the French Riviera
The Promenade des Anglais, the old town and day trips to Monaco, Èze and Antibes by train along the coast.
Mont-Saint-Michel
An abbey on a tidal island off the coast of Normandy. Check the tide times, as the sea comes in fast around the island.
Provence
Hilltop villages, markets and lavender fields that bloom from late June to late July.
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
The base for skiing and hiking around Mont Blanc. The Aiguille du Midi cable car takes you up to 3,842 metres.
Loire Valley
Castles such as Chambord and Chenonceau, vineyards and flat cycling routes along the river.
How do we compare?
Cheaper than Airalo and Holafly on every France plan, and hotspot is always included.
| Feature | Best choiceArrivalSIM | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
Hotspot on every planChecked per country before a plan goes online | Yes | Depends on network | Max 1 GB/day |
Cheaper on every plan5 GB for 30 days from €6,49 | Yes | No | No |
All four networksOrange, SFR, Bouygues and Free | Yes | Not listed | Yes |
Personal contactHelp from a real person when you need it | Yes | 24/7 chat | 24/7 chat |
Money-back guaranteeFull refund as long as the eSIM is not installed | Within 14 days if not installed | Within 14 days if unused | Within 6 months if unused |
Top up the same eSIMAdd data when you run low | Yes | Yes | Days only |
Fixed GB and unlimitedPick a plan that fits your trip | Yes | Yes | No |
Checked on each provider's own website.
eSIM vs France SIM card
You can also buy a tourist SIM from Orange, SFR or Bouygues at airport and train station shops or in town. You register it with your ID. Here is how it compares with our eSIM.
| Topic | ArrivalSIM eSIM | Local SIM card |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | Online, install at home | Airport or station shop, or an operator store |
| Online when you land | Straight away | After buying and setup |
| Price | Plan price incl. VAT | About €30 for a tourist SIM |
| Passport | Not needed | Needed for registration |
| Keeps your own SIM | Yes | Comes out (unless dual SIM) |
| Local number for calls | Data only | Calls included |
Staying for months, or need a French number? Then a local SIM works well. For a trip of one or two weeks, the eSIM saves you the shop visit and you are online as soon as you land.
Money in France: euros, cards and tips
France uses the euro (EUR, €). Card and phone payments work almost everywhere, so you rarely need much cash.
- Cards and contactless payments work almost everywhere, but some bakeries and markets prefer cash for small amounts.
- When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your own currency, choose euros.
- In Paris, buy metro tickets in the Île-de-France Mobilités app or on a Navigo Easy card. Tapping your bank card works on buses, but not yet on most metro lines.
- Service is included in restaurant bills. Leaving a few euros for good service is a nice gesture, not a must.
Weather and best time to visit Paris and France
Paris has mild summers, cool winters and light rain spread across the year. The south is sunnier and warmer, and the Alps get snow from December.
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Spring
April to JuneMild weather and long days, a good time for Paris, the Loire Valley and Provence.
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Summer
July and AugustHot in the south and busy on the coast, with lavender in bloom until late July. Many Parisians are on holiday in August.
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Autumn and winter
September to MarchQuieter cities and grape harvests in autumn. Ski season in the Alps runs from December to April.
Uber vs Bolt: which taxi app to use in Paris
In Paris, Uber and Bolt both work, and you see the price before you book. Bolt is often a little cheaper, and official taxis can be booked in the G7 app. In the city centre, the metro is usually faster than a car.
Uber
Works in Paris, Nice, Lyon and most big cities. You see the price before you book and pay by card in the app.
Bolt
Works the same way as Uber in Paris and other big cities, and is often a little cheaper.
G7 and official taxis
Paris taxis have a meter and a light on the roof. Book them in the G7 app or find them at a taxi rank.
Rides from Charles de Gaulle Airport
Uber and Bolt show the exact pick-up point in the app, so follow the app and the airport signs. Official taxis wait at the taxi rank outside each terminal and charge a fixed fare to central Paris.
Internet rules in France: SIM registration, phones and wifi
Prepaid SIM cards need ID
French operators register prepaid SIM cards with your ID, so bring your passport if you buy one. Our eSIM needs no registration in France: you install it at home.
No phone in your hand while driving
Holding your phone while driving is not allowed, even when you are stopped in traffic, and gets you a fine. Use a phone holder for navigation.
Wifi and VPN
Airports, many TGV trains, hotels and cafés have free wifi, but it can be slow or ask you to sign up. Popular apps and websites work normally, and you can use a VPN if you want one.
Rules change, so check before you travel.
Internet in Paris for tourists: coverage and hotspot
With our eSIM you have mobile data in Paris, Nice, Lyon and across France, including Corsica. It uses Orange, SFR, Bouygues and Free, with 5G where available. Coverage is very good in cities and along main roads. In the mountains and in remote countryside, expect gaps.
Using hotspot in France
- Install the eSIM at home on wifi before departure and leave the line off.
- After landing in Paris or Nice, switch it on, set it for mobile data and turn on data roaming.
- Turn on Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Hotspot and tethering (Android). Hotspot data counts towards your plan.
Step by step: iPhone install guide, Android install guide. Need more data later? Top up the same eSIM.
A note from our founder
Vive la France. For many people, the first thing that comes to mind about France is Paris. And even though I've been to France multiple times, I've never been to Paris. It reminds me that there's often so much more than just the capital city. I really enjoy Lille, or what about Strasbourg and Colmar? France is famous for winter sports too, and I'd love to try skiing there one day. With ArrivalSIM, I hope your France trip becomes a bit more hassle-free, so you can make your way through 'bonjour!' and 'merci!' and focus on the things that really matter. Your eSIM shouldn't be one of them: you arrange it at home, so you don't have to think about it during your journey. Bon voyage!
Peter, founder of ArrivalSIM
France eSIM FAQ
Should I buy and install the eSIM before I travel to France?
That is the easiest way. Install it at home on wifi and switch it on after landing. Installing in France also works, as long as you have wifi to download it.
What happens after my daily data on the unlimited plan?
You get full speed up to your daily limit, then the plan continues at 1 Mbps until the next day. That is enough for maps, messaging and email.
Does the eSIM work in the Alps and on Corsica?
Yes. It works across mainland France and on Corsica. In ski areas the signal is good in the resorts, but expect gaps on remote slopes and mountain trails.
Does hotspot work with the France eSIM?
Yes. Hotspot is included on every plan, so you can share your data with a laptop, tablet or travel partner. Hotspot data counts towards your plan.
Is ArrivalSIM cheaper than Airalo in France?
Yes. When we compared prices on their own websites, every France plan of ours cost less than the same plan at Airalo or Holafly, from 1 GB to 50 GB and unlimited. Holafly only sells unlimited plans, priced per day.
Which plan fits two weeks in France?
Maps, messaging and some social media: the 10 or 20 GB plan. Streaming or laptop work: the 15-day unlimited plan. The data calculator above helps you choose.
Can I use the eSIM in neighbouring countries?
No, this plan works in France only. Travelling on to Spain, Italy or Switzerland? Pick the eSIM for that country as well.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, you get a full refund as long as the eSIM is not installed. Questions first? Reach us through our contact page.
Ready for France?
Plans from €3,49 including VAT
Pick your plan, install it at home before you fly and you are online when you land. Travelling on? We cover 190+ countries.
Questions first? Reach us through our contact page.