Looking for the best eSIM France and SIM card options for your trip?
This guide covers everything you need to know about the best French SIM card and eSIM deals for tourists, including a comparison table of the top eSIM providers and their best-value offers.
On top of that, discover the best prepaid plans for travelers, their costs, and learn where to buy your French SIM Card in Paris.
Let's start!
Do I really need a French SIM Card or eSIM for Paris?
- If you are from Europe, you usually do not need a SIM card or eSIM, because since 2017 roaming in the EU (and the European Economic Area) is free. Therefore, in most cases, it is not necessary to buy a French SIM card if you already have an EU/EEA SIM card. Note, however, that some mobile operators have special conditions, so you should check the terms of your home operator in advance.
- If you are not from Europe, you will most likely need a French SIM Card or eSIM for France, especially if you are from the US. Otherwise, you will have to face expensive international roaming rates. By buying an eSIM or a local SIM card, you can also ensure reliable and fast mobile data connections.
Important: Before purchasing an eSIM, ensure your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible. To verify compatibility:
For iOS devices: Go to Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data. If you find an option to "Add Cellular Plan," your iPhone is eSIM-compatible.
For Android devices: Navigate to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. If you see an option to add a mobile plan, your device supports eSIM.
eSIM France: Comparison of the Best-Value eSIM Deals
Most eSIM providers in France operate on Orange France, ensuring reliable coverage. The primary differences among providers are data allowances, validity periods, and pricing.
See the comparison table below for more details:
HOLAFLY | ESQUICK (recommended) | AIRALO | JETPAC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PROVIDER |  |  |  |  |
DATA ALLOWANCE | UNLIMITED | 1 GB - 20 GB | 1 GB - 20 GB | 1 GB - 40 GB |
VALIDITY | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, | 7, 15, or 30 days | 7, 15, or 30 days | 4, 7, 17 or 30 days |
NETWORK COVERAGE | Orange | Orange, | Orange | Orange, Free Mobile |
SPEED | 4G / LTE / 5G | 5G | 4G (may vary) | 4G, 5G |
PRICE & DATA EXAMPLE | 5 days unlimited | 7 days 1 GB: €4.50 | 7 days 1 GB: €4.50 | 4 days 1 GB: €1 |
BEST FOR | Business travelers, | Budget-conscious | Short-term visitors | Travelers seeking |
PRICE |
Details of the Best eSIM Deals for France
1. Holafly
Holafly is a data-only eSIM provider operating in over 160 countries, including France. It stands out by offering unlimited data plans, making it ideal for travelers who require constant high-speed internet without worrying about data caps.
- Data Allowance: Unlimited
- Validity: 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, or 90 days
- Network Coverage: Orange
- Best For: Business travelers, heavy data users, digital nomads
- Additional Features:
500 MB daily hotspot sharing
Immediate email delivery
24/7 customer support
Top eSIM Offers and Prices:
- 5 days unlimited data in France: €18.90
- 7 days unlimited data in France: €26.90
- 10 days unlimited data in France: €33.90
For more information and 5% discount, click on this button:
2. Esquik (Recommended)
Esquik is a reliable 5G Data-only eSIM provider offering affordable data plans in France. It provides similar options as other providers but at discounted prices, making it a great choice for budget-conscious travelers. Operating on three major French networks, it ensures strong 5G coverage.
- Data Allowance: 1 GB to 20 GB
- Validity: 7, 15, or 30 days
- Network Coverage: Orange, Bouygues, SFR
- Best For: Travelers seeking a reliable, budget-friendly eSIM with robust coverage
- Additional Features:
Data-only plans
Instant activation
Supports 5G networks
Top eSIM Offers and Prices:
To benefit from the 5% discount and see more offers, click on the button below:
3. Airalo
Airalo is a global eSIM market leader offering affordable prepaid data plans in over 200 countries, including France. It provides short-term plans suitable for tourists who need reliable internet for navigation, messaging, and browsing. Note that calls and SMS are not included.
- Data Allowance: 1 GB to 20 GB
- Validity: 7, 15, or 30 days
- Network Coverage: Orange
- Best For: Short-term visitors needing flexible data plans
- Additional Features:
Data-only plans
Supports 4G/5G networks
Top eSIM Offers and Prices:
- 7 days 1 GB in Europe: €4.50
- 15 days 2 GB in France: €7.50
- 30 days 10 GB in France: €23.00
Visit Airalo's website for current offers and detailed pricing information.
4. Jetpac
Jetpac is a relatively new eSIM provider offering some of the most affordable plans for travelers in France. It specializes in high-data, budget-friendly options, with plans ranging from 1 GB to 40 GB. Jetpac also provides add-on deals, including free VPN subscriptions and discounted airport lounge access. Please note that Jetpac's plans are data-only and do not support calls or SMS.
- Data Allowance: Multiple options, ranging from 1 GB to 40 GB
- Validity: 4, 7, 17 or 30 days
- Network Coverage: Free Mobile, Orange
- Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, long-term visitors, and remote workers looking for affordable high-data plans
- Additional Features:
Data-only plans
Supports 4G/LTE networks
Optional add-ons like VPN and lounge access
Top eSIM Offers and Prices:
- 4 days 1 GB data in 30 countries, incl. France: €1.00
- 7 days 3 GB data in France: €5.00
- 17 days 50 GB data in France: €19.00
- 30 days 20 GB data in France: €17.50
For more offers and up-to-date prices, please check the official website.
Where to buy your French SIM Card in Paris?
1. In the City
Throughout the city of Paris, there are countless places where you can buy your French SIM card. Besides the official branches of the four local mobile operators in France, Orange France, SFR France, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile, there are many other stores where you can buy your French SIM card.
These include phone stores, electronics shops, and some supermarkets, tobacco stores, newspaper kiosks and vending machines. You can even buy SIM cards in some of the busier train and metro stations in Paris, such as the Gare du Nord.
However, we recommend that you buy your French SIM card not from a reseller, but from an official branch of the mobile operator you want to use. This way you can make sure you get the best deals and protect yourself from scams.
2. At the Airport
Another option is to buy your prepaid SIM card for France at the airport. This way you will have your SIM card directly when you arrive in France.
You will find many retail stores selling French SIM cards at both airports in Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Paris Orly Airport (ORY). Since the sellers here usually speak English, you should have no problems buying the right SIM card for your needs. A good place to buy your prepaid SIM card at Charles de Gaulle Airport is at the Tourist Information at Terminal 1.
Although it is a great advantage to have a French SIM card upon arrival, keep in mind that prices at the airport can be much higher than in the city center.
Things you need to buy a prepaid SIM card in France
- An unlocked phone
- Valid passport (or ID card for EU/EEA travelers)
- Email address (in some cases)
- Your address in France, such as your hotel/AirBnB address (in some cases)
- Fill out paperwork
French Mobile Operators
- There are four local operators in France: Orange France, SFR France, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile.
- Orange France is the former France Telecom. It is now the largest mobile operator in France with the best coverage.
- The second-largest mobile operator in France is SFR, the third-largest Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile is the newest one with the best 5G network.
- All of these providers have an extensive 4G network and offer special prepaid SIM cards for tourists in France. See below details and prices:
Cost for SIM Cards in France for Tourists
You can get a basic prepaid SIM card for France starting at 2.99€ from Orange France and from 10€ from the mobile operators SFR France, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile.
Let's take a look at the designated prepaid SIM cards and packages for tourists in France:
1. Orange France
Orange France has three different prepaid SIM cards for tourists in France:
- Orange Holiday Europe 30 GB: This prepaid SIM card with an all-inclusive plan includes 30 GB mobile internet + unlimited calls & texts in Europe + 120 minute calls & 1000 texts from Europe to worldwide. The SIM card is 14 days valid and costs €39.99. For more details and up-to-date prices, visit the official website.
- Orange Holiday Europe 12 GB: This SIM card is another all-inclusive plan package. It includes 12 GB mobile internet + unlimited calls & texts in Europe + 30 minute calls & 200 texts from Europe to worldwide. The SIM card is 14 days valid and costs €19.99. You can find more information and current prices on the official website.
- Orange Holiday World: This data only SIM card includes up to 10 GB data worldwide with a validity of 14 days. The price is €44.99. Please visit the official website for further details and up-to-date prices.
2. Bouygues Telecom
Bouygues Telecom has launched a prepaid SIM card designed specifically for the needs of tourists in France:
- My European SIM: This SIM card not only comes with 30 GB data to use in France & Europe, unlimited calls and texts in France & Europe, but also €25 credit for calls to international numbers. Furthermore, there are many extras included, such as a Paris metro map or a guide booklet in 10 languages. The prepaid SIM card is valid for 30 days and costs €39.90.
For more information and the current prices, check the Bouygues Telecom website.
3. SFR France
SFR France offers special packages for tourists. To purchase them, you first need to buy a SFR prepaid SIM card. It is called Carte Prépayée SFR, costs €9.99 and includes 5€ credit + 50 MB of Internet. See below the special additional packages:
- Mobile Internet Pass: The package comes with 2 GB data; it is valid for 8 days and costs €10.
- World Pass: This package includes 2 GB data + calls to all over the world; it is valid for 30 days and costs €20.
- 5G-Enabled Pass: This package includes 200 GB data + unlimited calls/SMS in France. It is valid for 30 days and costs €40.
For more information and up-to-date prices, please visit the official SFR website (only available in French)
4. Free Mobile
Free Mobile offers various SIM card deals for tourists. There is an activation fee of 10€. However, you should choose the "one-month plan", otherwise you will have to sign up for a monthly subscription, which, however, can be cancelled at any time free of charge via email. See the most popular offers below:
- Série Free: This deal includes 110 GB data + unlimited calls & texts. It costs €12.99 + additional €10 for the Free Mobile SIM card. It is 1 month valid. Unfortunately, this deal is not always available.
- Forfait Free 5G: This deal includes 210 GB data (25 GB free EU roaming included) at 5G/4G+ speed + unlimited calls & texts. It costs €19.99 + additional €10 for the Free Mobile SIM card. It is 1 month valid.
See the official website for more information and current prices (available in French only).
Our Conclusion on the Best SIM Card/ eSIM France
Our recommendation is using an eSIM. Travelers can start using their phone immediately after they land in Paris and don’t need to waste their valuable time searching for a SIM card retail store. On top of that, you don’t need to be concerned about the SIM card registration process in France or any scams of retailers. Instead of phone calls, you only need to use WhatsApp or similar apps.
For unlimited data, Holafly's eSIM is the top choice, ideal for digital nomads and heavy data users. If unlimited data isn’t needed, Esquik is the best value—it offers the same reliable coverage as Airalo but at a lower price with our 5% discount.
For the cheapest plans, Jetpac has the lowest prices, but as a new provider, it lacks a proven track record. Choose an eSIM for instant activation and hassle-free connectivity in France!
FAQ about eSIM France / French SIM Card
The digital eSIM options offer excellent value for money, as well as numerous other advantages. Instead of wasting valuable time searching, registering and buying a SIM card on the spot in Paris, you can easily buy eSIM for France online at home, keep your own phone number and use the eSIM in other European countries during the validity period.
The best eSIM for France is Esquik for its affordable plans and a 5% discount. For unlimited data, Holafly is the top choice. If you're looking for the cheapest option, Jetpac offers the lowest prices but is a newer provider. See the comparison table to find your top pick.
Yes, eSIMs are available in France. Providers like Esquik, Holafly, Airalo, and Jetpac offer eSIM plans for travelers, allowing instant activation without a physical SIM card. Major French carriers like Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom also support eSIMs. See our comparison table to choose the data plan that best suits your needs.
You can buy your French SIM card either directly at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Paris Orly Airport (ORY) or in the city. You will have no problems finding retail stores at the airport. Since they are used to foreign customers, they usually speak English. In the city, this can sometimes be a problem.
Although it may be tempting to buy your SIM card directly upon arrival in Paris, keep in mind that prices are often much higher at the airport than in downtown Paris. There are a variety of stores in the city where you can buy your France SIM card, including the official stores of mobile operators, phone stores, electronics stores, some supermarkets, tobacco stores, kiosks, train stations and vending machines.
Regardless of what you ultimately choose, we recommend that you buy your French SIM card from a real network operator and not from a reseller to avoid getting scammed.
There are a variety of SIM card offers in France. While you can get a basic prepaid SIM card for France for as little as €2.99 from Orange France, they are available from mobile operators SFR France, Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile for €10. Note, however, that some mobile operators charge an activation fee for €10.
For a French SIM card with mobile data as well as credit for calls and SMS, there are several offers tailored specifically to tourists in France. Orange France, for example, offers three options that vary between €19.99 and €39.99. Details on the different offers and the exact prices can be found in our section: Cost for SIM Cards in France for Tourists.
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