eSIM in France- Find the best data plan for you!

Let’s take a look at your options of an eSIM in France

The list of reasons to visit France is endless! The world’s most visited country is blessed with stunning landscapes comprising of Alpine mountains, beautiful meadows, farms, rivers and a spectacular sea coast. France is the leading light in our world’s culture, performing arts and gastronomy. It has provided the world with the idea of “liberty, equality and justice”, along with several other cultural icons. Paris, its capital city, is brimming with baroque palaces, nouveau-art architecture and spectacular public squares. The Eiffel Tower additionally continues to be the cultural symbol of France, while the Champs Elysées remains the heart and soul of Paris.

However, Paris is not the only interesting city in the country – if you move north, you will be greeted by beautiful meadows and D-Day beaches. Furthermore, southern France is comprised of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea coast and the cities of Nice, Cannes, Marseilles, St. Tropez, and more. Cultural performances and art still dominate the country too, as demonstrated by the sheer number of painters, poets and writers that grace the country’s culture.

There are plenty of things to see and do in France – a country which boasts diverse landscapes and geography. From world class alpine resorts to stunning beaches of Saint Tropez, France is truly a world-class destination! 

Not only does the country have a lot to offer to potential tourists, but all its major local carriers support the use of an eSIM in France as well!

Traveling to France? Stay connected by purchasing an eSIM online!

eSIMs are easy to activate on your device, without the need for physically interacting with SIM cards. They also allow you to use a physical SIM at the same time – namely, your local line. Travel eSIMs are especially useful as you can acquire them digitally right before you travel, thus eliminating the need for individual SIMs or phones for your travel destination. You can also easily switch phones by registering your new device with your cellular network provider!

How do eSIMs work?

The way an eSIM works is that when you purchase one from a mobile network provider, you are sent a QR code via email, which you can scan and use to install a connection onto your phone. In other words, it is simply the virtual form of a SIM card, which you can easily install on your phone! You do not need to actually go to a mobile communications store and physically purchase a SIM card. In fact, in the wake of the pandemic, this contact-free method of acquiring an eSIM in France is highly attractive to potential travellers!

Why purchase an eSIM in France?

For starters, it is a great way to stay connected to your destination country. In this case, purchasing an eSIM in France will allow you to maintain connection to communication services while you are abroad during your travels. If you were to use roaming data, you could be charged high fees. Secondly, they are very easy to acquire and you do not need to physically interact with any mobile service provider of an eSIM in France, keeping your travels as streamlined as possible!

Local Carriers

Orange

Orange, formerly France Télécom S.A., is a French multinational telecommunications corporation. Previously in history, France Télécom was the French public operator – and nowadays, it remains the market leader with the best coverage (94% of population for 4G/LTE as of October 2017) and the most subscribers, including extensive coverage of tourist areas (beaches and ski resorts) and transport corridors (high speed train lines, motorways). 4G/LTE is accessible for all prepaid plans.

Orange has been the company’s main brand for mobile, landline, internet and IPTV services since 2006. It originated in 1994 when Hutchison Whampoa acquired a controlling stake in Microtel Communications during the early 1990s and rebranded it as “Orange”. It became a subsidiary of Mannesmann in 1999 and was acquired by France Télécom in 2000. The company was rebranded as Orange on July 1st, 2013.

This carrier supports the use of an eSIM in France. 

Check out their local prices and coverage (in EUR)

SFR

SFR is historically the second largest network in France and one of Orange’s biggest competitors. It used to belong to Vivendi, but has been sold to the company Altice. It provides decent coverage nationwide in 2G and 3G, and its 4G/LTE coverage is slightly less widespread than Orange. SFR is the local partner of Vodafone in France, but there is still no international data roaming available on any SFR prepaid products.

This carrier supports the use of an eSIM in France. 

Check out their local prices and coverage (in EUR) 

Bouygues Télécom

Bouygues Télécom is the 3rd largest network operator in France in terms of subscribers. Unlike the other companies, its 4G/LTE is distributed mainly on 1800 MHz (and, to a lesser extent, 2600 MHz and 800 MHz) for all prepaid users. By October 2017, they covered 94% of population with LTE.

Their old prepaid card Formule 20/20 was discontinued in 2015. They now only sell Card XL and Classique prepaid SIMs. The classic line doesn’t include data, however.

Note that Bouygues Télécom has restricted roaming data services for most prepaid plans, except for the tourist offer. This means that unless you pay the high price for the tourist plan, data roaming is not available, even in the EU. In order to benefit from EU roaming and lower prices, check elsewhere.

This carrier supports the use of an eSIM in France.

Check out their local prices and coverage (in EUR):

eSIM2Fly Roaming SIM

So how does a roaming eSIM compare with local eSIMs?

Local SIMs are charging about $2.65 per GB. The price per GB on SIM2Fly is $3.10 per GB on the first package and then $2.50 for add-on packages. This makes the eSIM2Fly roaming SIM competitive with the local eSIMs in price per GB, and another great option for an eSIM in France!