SIM Cards in France: The Best Prepaid Plans | 2024 Guide

France – known for the Eiffel Tower, food & culture.

It is also known for its considerable influence over the world, like many French-speaking African nations.

France is the largest country in the European Union and the second-largest in Europe (or actually the largest when overseas departments are included – French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte & Réunion).

Most will probably visit Paris when visiting the country. Others want to see the Alps. While many prefer to enjoy the beaches.

France has a lot to offer – too many to list here (but there are plenty of full-time travel bloggers who can give you amazing travel tips).

What I can offer you, however, is the most in-depth guide to French SIM cards (in English, at least).

But having such a guide is necessary because you have more than ten different SIM cards to choose from when in France.

But why should you even consider a French SIM card? That is because international roaming can be expensive.

While French SIM cards are not the cheapest in Europe, the mobile data rates are low, and the prices are much lower than international roaming rates.

So, how much do SIM cards cost in France?

You can get a French SIM card for 2.99 EUR (3.20 EUR) or 14.90 EUR (15.95 USD) from Orange or 10 EUR (10.70 USD) from SFR, Bouygues Telecom & Free Mobile in their stores. Tourist SIM cards are also available at Relay stores, tobacco stores & various airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

Those prices are not too bad, right? At least you are not in New Caledonia, where SIM cards cost at least 30 USD 🤐 (check out my SIM card price look-up tool for comparisons).

In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in France. Let's get started, shall we?

Original publication: 26^th of January 2022. Last updated: 1^st of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

What is the Best SIM Card in France?

So, who are all these mobile operators and what options are available for you?

France has four mobile operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to tourists:

• Orange France
• SFR France (Société Française du Radiotéléphone)
• Bouygues Telecom
• Free Mobile France

Anyone living in or visiting France can buy a French SIM card with no real restrictions, but you do have to comply with the French SIM card registration regulations.

Which, in this case, is only showing your passport (or European Union ID if you have one) at the point of sale.

Where Can You Buy a French SIM Card (+Costs)?

You can get a French SIM card in Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom & Free Mobile stores. Resellers, like kiosks and tobacco stores, also sell SIM cards. Some French airports sell (tourist) SIM cards (at inflated prices).

You can expect to pay the following for French SIM cards:

• Orange France: 2.99 EUR & 14.90 EUR
• SFR France: 9.99 EUR
• Bouygues Telecom: 10 EUR
• Free Mobile France: 10 EUR

The following French mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:

• Orange France: 14.99 EUR (Mobicarte Vacances), 29.99 EUR (Mobicarte Vacances Monde) & 39.90 EUR (Orange Holiday)
• SFR France: around 40 EUR (at airports)
• Bouygues Telecom: 39.90 EUR (Bouygues Telecom My European SIM)

Note that SIM cards can be more expensive than those listed above when purchased at an airport.

Use the Wise Currency Converter tool (free) for up-to-date EUR (Euro) to your currency (let's say GBP – (British) Pound (Sterling)) exchange rates.

For your convenience, below are some exchange rates between EUR and USD (US Dollars):

• 1 EUR = 1.05 USD
• 10 EUR = 10.70 USD
• 100 EUR = 107 USD

But for any other currency, the Wise Currency Converter tool.

(Travel) eSIMs for France

In recent years, (travel) eSIMs have become extremely popular.

Especially after Apple made iPhones (14- & 15 series) sold in the United States eSIM-only, forcing its users to use eSIMs – even when abroad.

As a result, the adoption of eSIM technology by mobile operators worldwide rose impressively quickly.

Currently, Orange France, Bouygues Telecom & Free Mobile France offer eSIMs to prepaid customers.

But if you purchase an eSIM from any of these mobile operators, you must comply with France's SIM card registration regulations.

Suppose you do not wish to do so for privacy reasons (for example) or want to be connected immediately without paying for an overpriced SIM card (or eSIM) sold at a French airport. In that case, you may consider getting a travel eSIM for France.

In my France eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

Surprisingly, travel eSIMs can be cheaper than a French SIM card or eSIM in specific scenarios.

Moreover, Europe-wide and global eSIM options are also available at competitive prices (without having to deal with expensive international roaming rates).

In this France SIM card buying guide (the one you are reading), I will stick to the local SIM cards and eSIM, but you can read my France eSIM buying guide for more information about travel eSIMs covering the country.

But here is a quick overview already + applicable discount codes if you are interested in purchasing a travel eSIM for France:

• Airalo: Bonbon Mobile (France only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS)
• Alosim: France & Europe (32 countries)
• Holafly: France & Europe (32 countries) – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls
• Nomad: France, Europe (30 or 35 countries, depending on the variant) & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant)

Here are some discount codes to sweeten the deal:

• Airalo: NEWMAY15 for 15% off (if you have never bought an Airalo eSIM before). Otherwise, AIRALOMAY10 for 10% off (for existing users) – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code)
• Alosim: PTW for 5% off (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want)
• Holafly: PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want)
• Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD off (on your first-ever Nomad order only)

Once again, check out my France eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

The eSIM guide is as comprehensive as this SIM card buying guide, but it solely focuses on travel eSIMs (while the guide you are reading focuses on local SIM cards and eSIMs for prepaid users (where applicable).

French Prepaid SIM Cards Explored

Below, I will guide you through Orange France, SFR France, Bouygues Telecom & Free Mobile France, and go through:

• Background information
• Mobile coverage
• SIM card types, prices & availability
• Recharge/top-up information
• Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)

With that said, let's see what France offers us.

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Orange France

Orange France, just Orange, is the largest mobile operator in France.

It is also the mobile operator with the best network performance.

Orange, as a company, is active in other countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe & the Middle East.

Orange uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28), 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 2100 MHz (n1) & 3500 MHz (n78) – not for prepaid customers (yet)
• VoLTE: Yes
• VoWiFi: Yes

This is what you will learn about Orange:

* Coverage
* How to Get an Orange SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Orange France

Orange has the best coverage throughout France.

This was also confirmed by Opensignal.

It also has the best 5G NR reach with Bouygues Telecom and Free Mobile France, but 5G NR is not available to prepaid customers (yet), so it is irrelevant.

Below is Orange's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

However, click here to see Orange's official coverage map.

SIM Card Price – Orange France

You can buy an Orange SIM card for 2.99 EUR with unlimited local minutes and unlimited local SMS between 21:00 and 0:00 (Mobicarte Mini) or for 14.90 EUR with 10 GB for 30 days (SIM Prépayée Prêt-à-Surfer – a data-only SIM card ¹) in Orange stores. Orange Toursts SIM cards are also sold at airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.

¹ officially, this SIM card is not for smartphone use. If the salesperson asks you for what device you need it for, which they usually do not do because they cannot be bothered, tell them it is for a tablet or laptop with 4G/LTE connectivity

Short-term visitors and tourists can also get the Orange Tourist SIM cards – Mobicarte Vacances, Mobicarte Vacances Monde & Orange Holiday.

These SIM cards are available at Orange stores, but also from Relay stores (mostly at airports, like Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), or busy subway/train stations, like Paris Gare du Nord) or some tobacco stores.

The following Orange tourist SIM cards are available:

Price	SIM Card	Data	Local/EU Minutes	International Minutes	Local/EU SMS 1	Validity
14.99 EUR	Mobicarte Vacances	100 MB	120 minutes	N/A	Unlimited	14 days
29.99 EUR	Mobicarte Vacances Monde	10 GB 2	N/A	N/A	Unlimited	14 days
39.99 EUR	Orange Holiday	20 GB	Unlimited	120 minutes	Unlimited	31 days

¹ for calls/SMS within and to other EU/EEA member states and back to France (NOT from France to other EU/EEA member states)
² for worldwide use, although the data allowance may be less in some countries (50 MB, 1 GB, or 5 GB)

Below is an overview of all Orange SIM cards:

Price	SIM Card	Data	Local/EU Minutes 1	International Minutes	Local/EU SMS 1	Validity
2.99 EUR	Mobicarte Mini	N/A	Unlimited 2	N/A	Unlimited 2	6 months
14.90 EUR	SIM Prépayée Prêt-à-Surfer 3	10 GB	N/A	N/A	N/A	1 month
14.99 EUR	Mobicarte Vacances	100 MB	120 minutes	N/A	Unlimited 1	14 days
29.99 EUR	Mobicarte Vacances Monde	10 GB 4	N/A	N/A	Unlimited	14 days
39.99 EUR	Orange Holiday	20 GB	Unlimited	120 minutes	Unlimited	31 days

¹ for calls/SMS within and to other EU/EEA member states and back to France (NOT from France to other EU/EEA member states)
² for between 21:00 and 00:00
³ officially, this SIM card is not for smartphone use. If the salesperson asks you for what device you need it for, which they usually do not do because they cannot be bothered, tell them it is for a tablet or laptop with 4G/LTE connectivity
⁴ for worldwide use, although the data allowance may be less in some countries (50 MB, 1 GB, or 5 GB)

Call 225 to hear your Orange phone number.

You have to make a call 225 to activate your Orange SIM card.

It is also possible to get an Orange eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.

You can consider getting a travel eSIM for France, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Orange.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported European countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).

In my France eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

But I will introduce them here quickly:

• Airalo: Bonbon Mobile (France only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS) – use code NEWMAY15 (15% off – first-time users only) or AIRALOMAY10 (10% off)
• Alosim: France & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: France & Europe (32 countries) – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: France, Europe (30 or 35 countries, depending on the variant) & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

Once again, check out my France eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

For now, I will continue with Orange.

Note that Orange offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.

Oh, you can also use VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Orange France

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Orange France

Orange has four data-featured prepaid top-ups that act as plans:

• Les Recharges Mobicarte (combo)
• Max Top-Ups/Plans (combo)
• Orange Holiday Top-Ups/Plans (combo for tourist SIM cards)
• Internet Mobile Top-Ups/Plans (as the name implies)
• Les Recharges Prêt-à-Surfer (data for data-only SIM card)

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Les Recharges Mobicarte – Orange France

Les Recharges Mobicarte are combo plans/top-ups with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

The following Max Top-Ups are available:

Top-Up	Credit	Active Validity	Passive Validity
5 EUR	1 EUR	6 days	1 month
10 EUR	2 EUR	12 days	6 months
15 EUR	5 EUR	20 days	6 months
25 EUR	8 EUR	2 months	6 months
35 EUR	12 EUR	3 months	6 months
50 EUR	20 EUR	4 months	6 months
75 EUR	30 EUR	6 months	6 months
100 EUR	50 EUR	1 year	6 months

Max Top-Ups/Plans – Orange France

The Max Top-Ups/Plans are combo plans/top-ups with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

The following Max Top-Ups are available:

Price	Data	Local/EU Minutes	Local/EU SMS	Active Validity	Passive Validity
5 EUR	20 MB	120 minutes	Unlimited	7 days	1 month
10 EUR	500 MB	Unlimited	Unlimited	10 days	6 months
20 EUR	30 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	31 days	6 months
30 EUR	70 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	31 days	6 months

Orange Holiday Top-Ups/Plans – Orange France

The Orange Holiday Top-Ups/Plans are combo plans/top-ups with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS for the Mobicarte Vacances Monde & Orange Holiday tourist SIM cards.

The following Orange Holiday Top-Ups are available:

Price	Data	Local/International Minutes	Local/International SMS	Active Validity	Passive Validity
20 EUR	5 GB	60 minutes	500 SMS	14 days	6 months
40 EUR	20 GB	60 minutes	1000 SMS	31 days	6 months

Internet Mobile Top-Ups/Plans – Orange France

The Internet Mobile Top-Ups/Plans are data plans/top-ups (without 5G NR access).

The following Internet Mobile are available:

Price	Data	Active Validity	Passive Validity
5 EUR	1 GB	7 days	1 month
10 EUR	5 GB	14 days	6 months
25 EUR	40 GB	1 month	6 months
40 EUR	90 GB	1 month	6 months

Les Recharges Prêt-à-Surfer Top-Ups/Plans – Orange France

The Les Recharges Prêt-à-Surfer Top-Ups/Plans are data plans/top-ups (without 5G NR access) for the Prêt-à-Surfer data-only SIM card.

The following Les Recharges Prêt-à-Surfer Top-Ups are available:

Price	Data	Active Validity	Passive Validity
10 EUR	5 GB	14 days	12 months
25 EUR	15 GB	1 month	12 months
40 EUR	35 GB	1 month	12 months

EU Roaming – Orange France

You can use your Orange allowances in the following EU/EEA member states without paying roaming fees:

As Orange does not have dedicated EU/EEA roaming allowances, you can use your full allowance without restrictions in other EU/EEA member states.

APN/Internet Settings – Orange France

• Name: Orange France
• APN: orange OR orange.fr

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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SFR France (Société Française du Radiotéléphone)

SFR France (Société française du radiotéléphone), just SFR, is the second-largest mobile operator in France.

SFR is also active in Belgium, the Caribbean (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy & Saint Martin), Luxembourg, Mayotte & Réunion.

SFR uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28), 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 2100 MHz (n1) & 3500 MHz (n78)
• VoLTE: Yes
• VoWiFi: Yes

This is what you will learn about SFR:

* Coverage
* How to Get an SFR SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – SFR France

SFR has, together with Orange France and Bouygues Telecom, the best 4G/LTE availability in France.

4G/LTE is available anywhere in populated areas.

Below is SFR's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

However, click here to see SFR's official coverage map.

SIM Card Price – SFR France

You can buy an SFR SIM card, called Carte Prépayée SFR, for 9.99 EUR with 5 EUR credit and 50 MB for 30 days in SFR stores. SFR SIM cards are also sold at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at higher prices.

Back in 2015, the SFR SIM card at the airport cost 40 EUR and gave you 2 GB of data and some other perks I forgot about 💀.

In 2018, you got 5 GB, 60 local/international minutes, and some local/international SMS for 14 days, costing 35 EUR.

In 2022, I assume the price and benefits changed again, but I do not know what it is. You can let me know though.

Moving on… Call 963 to activate your SFR SIM card.

While SFR has eSIMs, they are (currently) not offered to prepaid customers.

You may want to get a travel eSIM for France, which can be cheaper than getting a SIM card from SFR (in some cases).

Especially when getting a Europe-wide eSIM if you do not stay in just France or a global eSIM valid for up to a year if you want one eSIM to work practically worldwide.

My France eSIM buying guide analyzes various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

Here is a quick introduction to them:

• Airalo: Bonbon Mobile (France only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + call and text feature) – use code NEWMAY15 (15% off – first-time users only) or AIRALOMAY10 (10% off)
• Alosim: France & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: France & Europe (32 countries) – these eSIMs have unlimited data + calling feature – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: France, Europe (up to 35 countries) & Global (up to 139 countries) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

For more information, such as the prices and data allowances, check out my France eSIM buying guide.

But let's continue with SFR for now.

Note that SFR offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.

Oh, you can also use VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – SFR France

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – SFR France

SFR has three data-featured prepaid plans:

• Monde (World) Plans (combo)
• Illimité (Unlimited) Plans (combo)
• Internet Plans (as the name implies)

All SFR plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 987.

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Monde (World) Plans – SFR France

The Monde (World) Plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes.

Text the Activation Code to 987 to activate Monde Plans:

Price	Data	Local/International Minutes	Validity	Activation Code
5 EUR	300 MB	50 minutes	5 days	MONDE5
10 EUR	500 MB	100 minutes	14 days	MONDE10
20 EUR	4 GB	200 minutes	30 days	MONDE20

Illimité (Unlimited) Plans – SFR France

The Illimité (Unlimited) Plans are combo bundles with data (with 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Text the Activation Code to 987 to activate Illimité plans:

Price	Data	Local/EU Minutes 1	Local/EU SMS 1	Validity	Activation Code
5 EUR	2 GB	60 minutes	Unlimited	7 days	ILLI5
10 EUR	10 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	10 days	ILLI10
20 EUR	50 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days	ILLI20
30 EUR	80 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days	ILLI30
40 EUR	100 GB 2	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days	ILLI40

¹ for calls/SMS within and to other EU/EEA member states and back to France (NOT from France to other EU/EEA member states)
² 5G NR access

Internet Plans – SFR France

The Internet Plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).

Text the Activation Code to 987 to activate Internet Plans:

Price	Data	Validity	Activation Code
5 EUR	300 MB	5 days	WEB5
10 EUR	2 GB	8 days	WEB10
25 EUR	20 GB	30 days	WEB25
35 EUR	70 GB	30 days	WEB35

EU Roaming – SFR France

You can use your SFR call and SMS allowances (NO free data roaming) in the following EU/EEA member states without paying roaming fees:

As SFR does not have dedicated EU/EEA call and SMS roaming allowances, you can use your full allowance without restrictions in other EU/EEA member states.

APN/Internet Settings – SFR France

• Name: SFR webphone
• APN: sl2sfr

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Bouygues Telecom

Bouygues Telecom is the third-largest mobile operator in France.

It currently has the best 5G NR network performance (but not the fastest speeds – that title belongs to Orange France).

But… you cannot use it anyway as a prepaid customer (yet) 😖.

Bouygues Telecom uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28), 800 MHz (Band 20), 900 MHz (Band 8), 1800 MHz (Band 3), 2100 MHz (Band 1) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 2100 MHz (n1) & 3500 MHz (n78) – not for prepaid customers (yet)
• VoLTE: Yes
• VoWiFi: Yes

This is what you will learn about Bouygues Telecom:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Bouygues Telecom SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Bouygues Telecom

Bouygues Telecom has, together with Orange France and SFR France, the best 4G/LTE availability in France.

4G/LTE is available anywhere in populated areas.

Below is Bouygues Telecom's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

However, click here to see Bouygues Telecom's official coverage map.

SIM Card Price – Bouygues Telecom

You can buy a Bouygues Telecom SIM card, called Carte XL, for 10 EUR with 4 EUR credit in Bouygues Telecom stores. Bouygues Telecom tourist SIM card, the My European SIM, is also sold at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

The Bouygues Telecom My European SIM card costs 39.90 EUR with 20 GB, unlimited local/EU minutes, unlimited local/EU SMS, 25 EUR international call credit to French Overseas Departments for 30 days.

The eligible French Overseas Departments are French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy & Saint Martin.

Moreover, unlike the Bouygues Telecom Carte XL SIM card, the My Europe SIM can be used in the EU/EEA for data roaming instead of only voice and text roaming.

Oh yeah, you have to call 654 to activate your Bouygues Telecom SIM card.

Furthermore, the My Europe SIM is also available as an eSIM (the regular Bouygues Telecom Carte XL is not).

You should consider getting a travel eSIM for France because they can sometimes be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Bouygues Telecom.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM or a global eSIM.

I discuss various eSIM options of eSIM providers for France in my France eSIM buying guide, which are:

• Airalo: Bonbon Mobile (France only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + minutes and SMS) – use code NEWMAY15 (15% off – first-time users only) or AIRALOMAY10 (10% off)
• Alosim: France & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: France & Europe (32 countries) – unlimited data eSIMs which allow for (limited) calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: France, Europe (up to 35 countries) & Global (up to 139 countries) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

As I said, check out my France eSIM buying guide for more information, as I have to continue with Bouygues Telecom for now.

Note that Bouygues Telecom offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings.

Oh, you can also use VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi).

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Bouygues Telecom

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Bouygues Telecom

Bouygues Telecom has only one data-featured prepaid plan: Cartes Prépayées XL pour des Communications en Illimité (XL Prepaid Cards for Unlimited Communications). It is a combo plan with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Note that Bouygues Telecom does not allow for free EU/EEA roaming for prepaid customers (the tourist SIM card does allow for EU roaming).

You may want to consider the Bouygues Telecom My European SIM (e)SIM (card) for EU/EEA roaming (or another mobile operator).

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

The My European SIM does provide better value than the most expensive Cartes Prépayées XL pour des Communications en Illimité plan.

Anyway, the following Cartes Prépayées XL pour des Communications en Illimité are available:

Price	Data	Local Minutes	International Credit	Local SMS	Validity
5 EUR	500 MB	Unlimited	3 EUR	Unlimited	3 days
10 EUR	1 GB	Unlimited	5 EUR	Unlimited	10 days
20 EUR	2 GB	Unlimited	10 EUR	Unlimited	1 month
40 EUR	5 GB	Unlimited	25 EUR	Unlimited	2 months

EU Roaming – Bouygues Telecom

You can use your Bouygues Telecom My European SIM card (tourist SIM card) in the following EU/EEA member states without paying roaming fees:

As the Bouygues Telecom My European SIM card does not have dedicated EU/EEA roaming allowances, you can use your full allowance without restrictions in other EU/EEA member states.

APN/Internet Settings – Bouygues Telecom

• Name: Bouygues Telecom
• APN: mmsbouygtel.com

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Free Mobile France

Free Mobile France, just Free Mobile, is the smallest mobile operator in France.

However, it is the cheapest option out there (of the Big Four).

Free Mobile basically singlehandedly managed to drop telecommunication prices in France by around half due to its pricing strategy (19.99 EUR for the most expensive plan).

Not only has that plan remained at 19.99 EUR since 2013 (based on the founder's tweet from that time), it has also added more features to that plan.

It went from 20 GB of data included to 210 GB nowadays – and much more.

Moreover, it may have been the first mobile operator to allow free 4G/LTE access, but it certainly was the first allowing 5G NR access for free and to prepaid customers too.

If you understand French, this tweet is apparently funny – but my French is a bit too basic to laugh at it 🥲.

Anyway, while Free Mobile is the cheapest, its coverage still lacks behind the competitors (will be discussed later), so does its speed (including 5G NR).

But you will not have any issues with Free Mobile in most cases.

Free Mobile uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: N/A – never had it
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 28), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
• 5G NR: 700 MHz (n28) & 3500 MHz (n78)
• VoLTE: Yes
• VoWiFi: No – being worked on (since late 2021)

This is what you will learn about Free Mobile:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Free Mobile SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Free Mobile France

Free Mobile has the worst coverage in France.

However, it still has extensive coverage throughout the country.

Below is Free Mobile's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

However, click here to see Free Mobile's official coverage map.

SIM Card Price – Free Mobile France

You can buy a Free Mobile SIM card for 10 EUR at Free machines in Free Mobile stores.

Although some call the Free machines vending machines, they look like the image below – not the typical vending machine I think of when I hear the word vending machine.

The machines are in French, but they display easy-to-understand graphics.

You may ask a staff member to help you out… but they usually do not want to.

I will make a video on using the machine when I revisit France 🇫🇷🥳.

Unlike the other mobile operators of the Big Four, Free Mobile SIM cards are activated instantly upon purchase (no wait needed), and you do not need to call or send an SMS to activate it on the network either.

It is also possible to get a Free Mobile eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.

You can consider getting a travel eSIM for France, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Free Mobile.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported European countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).

In my France eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

But I will introduce them here quickly:

• Airalo: Bonbon Mobile (France only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS) – use code NEWMAY15 (15% off – first-time users only) or AIRALOMAY10 (10% off)
• Alosim: France & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: France & Europe (32 countries) – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: France, Europe (30 or 35 countries, depending on the variant) & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

Once again, check out my France eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

For now, I will continue with Free Mobile.

Note that Free Mobile offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings but no VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) yet.

After years delay, compared to its competitors, Free Mobile announced that it wants to finally (bring) VoWiFi to its customers.

However, it is unknown how long it will take before the feature is available.

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Free Mobile France

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Free Mobile France

Free Mobile has only one data-featured prepaid plan: Forfait Mobile Free. It is a combo plan with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

It acts as prepaid and postpaid plans, depending on what type of SIM card you chose when you bought it at the Free Machine.

And make sure to select forfait sans engagement (non-binding agreement/contract) on the machine!

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

You can activate a plan on a Free Machine, online, or on the Free Mobile – Mon Compte app:

Price	Plan	Data	EU/EEA Data	Local/EU Minutes	Local/EU SMS	Validity
2 EUR	Forfait €2	50 MB	Shared with data allowance	120 minutes	Unlimited	1 month
12.99 EUR	Série Free 80 Go	140 GB	18 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	1 month
19.99 EUR	Forfait Free 5G	250 GB 1	35 GB 2	Unlimited	Unlimited	1 month

¹ with 5G NR access
² besides EU/EEA roaming, it can also be used in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa & the United States

EU Roaming – Free Mobile France

You can use your Free Mobile allowances in the following EU/EEA member states without paying roaming fees:

Be aware that, in some cases, the EU/EEA roaming allowance is lower than the domestic allowances.

APN/Internet Settings – Free Mobile France

• Name: Free
• APN: free

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Lebara France

Coverage – Lebara France

Lebara is an Orange France MVNO, meaning Lebara uses the Orange France network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.

To find out what to expect in terms of coverage with Lebara, jump to the Orange France Coverage section.

SIM Card Price – Lebara France

You can get a Lebara SIM for free but requires a plan from any Lebara resellers, including grocery stores, gas stations & electronic shops.

Registration can be done by the Lebara resellers or online.

Lebara has no eSIMs.

You should consider getting a travel eSIM for France because they can sometimes be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Lebara.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM or a global eSIM.

I discuss various eSIM options of eSIM providers for France in my France eSIM buying guide, which are:

• Airalo: Bonbon Mobile (France only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + minutes and SMS) – use code NEWMAY15 (15% off – first-time users only) or AIRALOMAY10 (10% off)
• Alosim: France & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: France & Europe (32 countries) – unlimited data eSIMs which allow for (limited) calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: France, Europe (up to 35 countries) & Global (up to 139 countries) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

As I said, check out my France eSIM buying guide for more information, as I have to continue with Lebara for now.

Be aware that there is no VoLTE or VoWiFi with Lebara.

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Lebara France

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Lebara France

Lebara has two data-featured prepaid plans: Forfaits Mobile Mensuels (combo) & Pass Internet 4G+ (data).

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say GBP – (British) Pound (Sterling)) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Forfaits Mobile Mensuels (Monthly Mobile Plans) – Lebara France

The Forfaits Mobile Mensuels (Monthly Mobile Plans) are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Forfaits Mobile Mensuels can be activated online:

Price	Data	Local/EU Minutes	Local/EU SMS	International Minutes 1	Validity
3 EUR	N/A	120 minutes	N/A	N/A	30 days
5.99 EUR	1 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	N/A	30 days
10.99 EUR	40 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	N/A	30 days
11.99 EUR	10 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days
15.99 EUR	90 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	240 minutes	30 days
20.99 EUR	150 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days
25.99 EUR	250 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days

¹ to Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mayotte, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom & the United States

Pass Internet 4G+ Plans – Lebara France

The Pass Internet 4G+ plans are data bundles (without 5G NR access).

Text the Activation Code to 22241 to activate Pass Internet 4G+:

Price	Plan	Data	EU/EEA Data	Validity	Activation Code	Deactivation Code
4.99 EUR	Pass Internet XS	1 GB	Shared with data allowance	30 days	WEBXS	WEBXS*STOP
9.99 EUR	Pass Internet S	3 GB	Shared with data allowance	30 days	WEBSML	WEBSML*STOP
19.99 EUR	Pass Internet M	10 GB	Shared with data allowance	30 days	WEBMED	WEBMED*STOP
29.99 EUR	Pass Internet L	20 GB	Shared with data allowance	30 days	WEBLRG	WEBLRG*STOP
49.99 EUR	Pass Internet XL	40 GB	Shared with data allowance	30 days	WEBXL	WEBXL*STOP

Pass Internet 4G+ auto-renew. To disable auto-renewal, text the Deactivation Code to 22241.

APN/Internet Settings – Lebara France

• Name: Lebara
• APN: fr.lebara.mobi

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Lycamobile France

Coverage – Lycamobile France

Lycamobile is a Bouygues Telecom MVNO, meaning Lycamobile uses the Bouygues Telecom network and does not have its own mobile infrastructure.

To find out what to expect in terms of coverage with Lycamobile, jump to the Bouygues Telecom Coverage section.

SIM Card Price – Lycamobile France

You can get a Lycamobile SIM card for 5 EUR to 50 EUR with the same value in credit or with a plan from Lycamobile resellers, including grocery stores, gas stations & electronic shops.

Registration can be done by the Lycamobile resellers or online.

Lycamobile has no eSIMs.

You can consider getting a travel eSIM for France, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Lycamobile.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported European countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).

In my France eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

But I will introduce them here quickly:

• Airalo: Bonbon Mobile (France only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS) – use code NEWMAY15 (15% off – first-time users only) or AIRALOMAY10 (10% off)
• Alosim: France & Europe (32 countries) – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: France & Europe (32 countries) – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: France, Europe (30 or 35 countries, depending on the variant) & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

Once again, check out my France eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

For now, I will continue with Lycamobile.

Be aware that there is no VoLTE or VoWiFi with Lycamobile.

Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Lycamobile France

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Lycamobile France

Lycamobile has two data-featured prepaid plans: Forfaits (combo) & Pass National (combo).

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (let's say GBP – (British) Pound (Sterling)) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Forfaits (Plans) – Lycamobile France

The Forfaits (Plans) are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Forfaits can be activated online:

Price	Plan	Data	EU/EEA Data	Local/EU Minutes	Local/EU SMS	International Minutes 1	Validity
4.99 EUR	Pass Budget	5 GB	Shared with local data allowance	Unlimited	300 SMS	50 minutes	30 days
5.99 EUR	Forfait Small OL SIM	20 GB	7 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	N/A	30 days
7.99 EUR	Forfait 40 GB	40 GB	9 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	N/A	30 days
9.99 EUR	Forfait Lyca S	10 GB	10 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days
9.99 EUR	Forfait Lyca S Plus	100 GB	11 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	N/A	30 days
14.99 EUR	Forfait Lyca M	90 GB	17 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days
19.99 EUR	Forfait Lyca L	130 GB	22 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days
24.99 EUR	Forfait Lyca XL	250 GB	27 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited 2	30 days

¹ to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Frenc Guiana, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mayotte, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Réunion, Romania, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom & the United States
² +240 Mins to Philippines Smart, Tunisia Super on net +Unlimited mins to China

Pass National Plans – Lycamobile France

The Pass National plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Dial the Activation Code to activate Pass National:

Price	Plan	Data	EU/EEA Data	Local/EU Minutes	Local/EU SMS	International Minutes 1	Validity	Activation Code
9.99 EUR	Pass National S4	10 GB	9.25 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	N/A	30 days	*139*4099#
14.99 EUR	Pass National Bonanza	35 GB	13.9 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	120 minutes 2	30 days	*139*112#
19.99 EUR	Pass National L Plus	70 GB	18.55 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	120 minutes 2	30 days	*139*3021#
24.99 EUR	Pass National XL	150 GB	23.15 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	120 minutes 2	30 days	*139*3025#
29.99 EUR	Pass National XXL	250 GB	27.8 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	120 minutes 3	30 days	*139*3030#

¹ 120 International minutess to 50 countries
² 240 Mins to Philippines Smart, Tunisia Super on net +Unlimited mins to China
³ 360 Mins to Philippines Smart, Tunisia Super on net + Unlimited mins to China

APN/Internet Settings – Lycamobile France

• Name: Lycamobile
• APN: data.lycamobile.fr
• Username: lmfr
• Password: plus

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in France

Getting a SIM card from Orange or Free Mobile would do you well when considering a French SIM card.