SIM Card Guides

France SIM card: Your ultimate guide

A France SIM card is one way to stay online during your trip. Explore the different SIM card options, prices, requirements, and digital travel solutions.

A trip to France would be incomplete without a reliable internet connection. You’ll need it to navigate, communicate with locals, and stay in touch with friends and family. One option is to buy a France SIM card to stay connected at local rates and avoid roaming charges.

This guide contains everything you need to know about buying a prepaid SIM card for France, including plans, prices, and tourist requirements. If you’re interested in a convenient, digital alternative, keep an eye out for more about an unlimited data travel eSIM.

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Where to buy a prepaid France SIM card?

You have two options: buy an international prepaid SIM card for France before your journey, or purchase one in person at the airport, official retail stores, or local shops.

Can a tourist buy a French SIM card online?

If you’d like to be connected on arrival and have access to mobile internet in France, purchasing a France SIM card beforehand is ideal. However, you’ll be responsible for registering and activating the physical SIM card yourself.

Before you travel: Order a SIM card for France from online third-party retailers such as SimCorner, SimOptions, and Amazon. They’ll deliver the physical SIM card to your home address so you can set it up before your trip.

Can a tourist buy a SIM card in France?

Store staff will handle the registration for you if you buy a local France SIM card in person.

After you land: Grab a local SIM card for France at Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom kiosks in the Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Nice Cote d’Azur Airports, official retail stores, Tabacs shops, supermarkets, and train stations.

Both options require physical SIM swapping and a SIM registration process. If you’d like to avoid these inconveniences, consider an eSIM instead. Providers like Holafly offer a quick and easy purchase and activation process for their eSIM plans. All you have to do is install the eSIM before your trip. Once you activate it, your plan starts immediately, so be sure to activate it via QR code (or manually) in flight or once you arrive.

Holafly’s eSIM for France: Easy activation, unlimited data

Don’t waste time hunting down a France SIM card or dealing with French mobile number registration at local stores. Opt for Holafly’s eSIM for France instead, with unlimited data, fast activation via QR code, and 24/7 support in case you need help during your trip. Stay connected the moment you land, with no paperwork, no physical SIM card, and no extra costs.

The best part is you can match your eSIM plan to your vacation duration, meaning you never have to pay for more than you need.

Here are some potential eSIM plans for a trip to France:

5-day trip to France: $20.90 USD for unlimited data
7-day trip to France: $29.90 for unlimited data
10-day trip to France: $36.90 for unlimited data

Looking for an internet solution for an extended stay in France? You can opt for a pocket WiFi for France, or choose Holafly Plans. This is a rolling eSIM subscription with options including unlimited data for $64.90 per month. Stay connected in over 170 destinations, including France, across borders and with unlimited hotspot for the rest of your devices.

On the other hand, if you’re going on a Euro trip and need to stay connected across borders, Holafly offers a solution. You won’t need a physical European SIM card; choose Holafly’s eSIM for Europe and stay connected in France and 115 other European destinations.

Which is the best SIM card for France?

Once you arrive, you can buy local France prepaid SIM cards from the country’s top mobile operators, including Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile.

Orange prepaid SIM card

Orange Holiday’s prepaid SIM cards are a popular option for travellers as they offer coverage across Europe. Their French SIM cards include various prepaid tourist plans from 1 GB to 100 GB. A popular choice is the 12 GB plan with 30 minutes, 200 SMS, and a 14-day validity period for €19.99 (~$20). You can also opt for the 30 GB option for €39.99 ($40).

Where to buy an Orange SIM card for France:

Charles de Gaulle Airport
Official SFR retail stores in Opera, Chatelet, and Republique
Tabac shops and newsstands
Supermarkets (Carrefour, Auchan, Super U, Fnac, Darty)

SFR SIM card

SFR offers a special European Travel SIM for tourists in France; however, you can opt for any of their regular prepaid packages as well. The travel SIM includes 60 GB and unlimited calls for €34.99 with a 30-day validity period.

Where to buy an SFR SIM card in France:

Charles de Gaulle Airport
Official SFR retail stores in Opera, Chatelet, and Republique
Tabac shops and newsstands
Supermarkets (Carrefour, Auchan, Super U, Fnac, Darty)

Bouygues Telecom SIM card

Bouygues Telecom is one of France’s most popular mobile operators, providing reliable coverage and speed. They also offer four tourist SIMs with coverage in France and the rest of Europe. Prices for these SIMs start at €19.90 (~$20) to €41.90 (~$42) with 15 to 60 GB data allowances and 15 to 30-day validity periods.

Where to buy a Bouygues Telecom SIM card in France:

Charles de Gaulle Airport
Official SFR retail store in Opera, Chatelet, and Republique
Supermarkets (Carrefour, Auchan, Super U, Fnac, Darty)
Online (can be delivered to your hotel)

Free Mobile SIM card

Free Mobile offers its Free 5G plan for tourists, including 350 GB of mobile data, unlimited international calls and SMS in France, a French phone number, and 35 GB for European destinations — all for €19.99 ($20) with a one-month validity period.

Where to buy a Free SIM card in France:

Free Mobile stores in Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, and Toulouse
FNAC electronic outlets

FAQs about French SIM cards

How much does a SIM card cost in France?

The cost of a France SIM card depends on your data needs. For a decent prepaid SIM plan that includes more than 10 GB of data and is valid for two weeks, you can expect to pay around €19.99 or $22 (flat rate). The higher the data in your plan, the higher the price.

What do you need to get a France SIM card?

Some major requirements include a valid ID and passport, a copy of your passport, an unlocked and eSIM compatible phone, and a valid payment method (working debit/credit card or local currency in cash). Luckily, you won’t need proof of stay or a French bank account to get a SIM in France.

What is the best France SIM card with unlimited data?

While all of France’s mobile operators offer reliable network coverage and comprehensive tourist plans, Free Mobile’s local prepaid SIM card plan includes a suitable data allowance, especially for those who rely on the internet during their trip. If you’d like to enjoy the most convenient solution to using your phone in France, opt for Holafly’s eSIM.

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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