Best eSIM for France

Setting up dual SIM mode before you land in Paris is well worth the effort. Keep your UK SIM active on one line to receive banking verification texts and two-factor authentication codes, while your eSIM handles all mobile data on the French network. France uses the international calling code +33, and the country sits just 1 hour ahead of the United Kingdom, making it easy to schedule video calls home without awkward timing clashes.

French is the sole official language, so downloading an offline translation app such as Google Translate before departure helps enormously — particularly outside major cities like Lyon, Bordeaux or Marseille, where English is less widely spoken. Pre-loading the French language pack means your translator works without any data connection at all.

France drives on the right-hand side, and if you plan to hire a car, an offline GPS app like Maps.me or CityMaps2Go is invaluable for navigating rural routes in Provence or Brittany where signal can thin out. While most French hotels and Airbnbs offer Wi-Fi, speeds vary greatly, so having a reliable eSIM for Europe ensures uninterrupted navigation and streaming throughout your trip.

Picking up a physical SIM card at Paris Charles de Gaulle is possible, with Orange and Relay kiosks available in Terminal 2. Orly has fewer dedicated mobile shops, so expect limited choice. French law requires a valid passport or national ID for every prepaid SIM purchase, and staff outside Paris may speak limited English. Bouygues Telecom, SFR and Free Mobile also have high-street stores in Lyon, Marseille and Nice.

Free Wi-Fi is widely available in urban France. Paris offers over 1,000 municipal hotspots through its Paris Wi-Fi network in parks, libraries and public buildings. Most hotels, SNCF train stations and café chains provide access, but speeds drop noticeably in rural areas like Brittany or the Dordogne. Pocket Wi-Fi rental exists but remains far less common than in Japan, with collection points mostly in central Paris.

For UK travellers, roaming in France now carries extra costs. EE charges around £2.47 per day and Three applies £2 per day for European use, adding up fast on a fortnight in Provence. An eSIM avoids every drawback: no passport checks, no queues at Charles de Gaulle or Nice Côte d'Azur airport, and activation before departure. If your trip extends into the Pyrenees, an eSIM for Andorra keeps you connected across the border.