eSIM For U

eSIM France

5G · Orange

Good to know

Starts when you first connect

Top-up available

7 days

30 days

180 days

Good to know

Starts when you first connect

Top-up available

Before you go

France eSIM: what to expect.

Plans for France range from 1 to 50 GB and 7 to 180 days, plus day plans with a fixed daily allowance. You pay once. No contract, no roaming bill.

Networks and speed

  • NetworksOrange
  • SpeedUp to 5G on this network. Where there is no 5G, you connect over 4G/LTE.

Which plan for your trip

Our pick · 1 week5 GB · 30 days$8.49About 0.7 GB a day: enough for maps, messages, social media and some video.Choose this planOur pick · 2 weeks10 GB · 30 days$13.19About 0.7 GB a day: enough for maps, messages, social media and some video.Choose this plan

Prefer a daily allowance? 1 GB per day · 7 days for $8.99: full speed up to 1 GB a day, then 512 Kbps until the next day.

Picked like in our shop: the cheapest plan with about 0.7 GB a day. Live prices for France.

Tips for France

  • Mobile data works on most of the Paris Métro, including in many tunnels.
  • Corsica is part of France and covered by France plans. Monaco has its own network. See the Monaco page.
  • SIM card from another EU country? EU rules let you roam in France at home prices, within fair-use limits. An eSIM makes sense if your data abroad is limited or your SIM is from outside the EU.
Travel guideFrance eSIM guideTravel guideParis eSIM guideTravel guideParis: taxi and ride apps

Questions

Which networks does the France eSIM use?

Orange (5G). Coverage and speed depend on where you are.

Does the France eSIM work on 5G?

Yes, 5G on Orange. Your phone needs to support 5G; where there is no 5G signal, it uses 4G/LTE.

Will my phone work with the France eSIM?

Yes, if your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to one carrier. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards do, as do recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models. Check yours in our list of eSIM phones.

Does the France eSIM come with a phone number?

No. It is data only: no phone number, no calls or SMS. Your own SIM stays in your phone, so WhatsApp and iMessage keep working with your usual number.

How much data do I need for a week in France?

About 0.7 GB a day covers maps, messages, social media and some video, so around 5 GB for a week. Our pick for one week: 5 GB · 30 days for $8.49.

What is the cheapest France eSIM?

1 GB · 7 days for $3.69 is the lowest-priced plan. The lowest price per GB is 50 GB · 30 days at $0.69 per GB. A single day with 0.49 GB costs $2.29.

How long is the France eSIM valid?

Plans run for 7, 30 or 180 days. Day plans can be booked for 1 to 30 days.

When does my plan start?

When your phone first connects to a network in France, not when you buy or install the eSIM. So you can install it at home before you travel.

Is there an unlimited France eSIM?

Not at full speed. Day plans come closest: up to 10 GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps until the next day.

Can I use the France eSIM as a hotspot?

Yes, your phone can share the connection with a laptop or a second phone. Everything you share counts against your plan. Whether a network limits sharing depends on the plan, so ask us before you buy if it matters. More in our hotspot guide.

Can I top up my France eSIM?

Yes, on plans marked “Top-up possible”: add data under My eSIMs while the plan is still valid. No new eSIM needed.

What happens when I use up my daily data?

On day plans you get full speed up to the daily allowance. After that, the speed drops to between 500 Kbps and 1 Mbps, depending on the plan, until the next day.

Can I get a refund?

eSIM purchases are final. If something isn’t right, write to us in Help and we’ll take care of it.

France in detail: networks, speed and SIM options

Networks and 5G

1 network · 5G

Your eSIM uses Orange.

  • CorsicaPart of France, same plan.
  • MonacoOwn network, see the Monaco page.
  • 5G where the network offers itOtherwise 4G/LTE on the same plan.

Updated 24 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue

Speed in Paris and Lyon

220 Mbps

Paris and Lyon measure well above the national median, so speeds away from the big cities are clearly lower.

DownloadGlobal rank
France141 Mbps26 of 100
Paris220 Mbps32 of 151
Lyon207 Mbps38 of 151

Sources: Ookla Speedtest Global Index (September 2026)

Signal in the Paris metro

100% 4G

Since June 2020 the whole Paris metro has 4G in the tunnels and on the trains, together with RER lines A and B.

  • Every operatorThe system is shared, so it works on any network.
  • Trains outside ParisCoverage varies, download films and tickets before you board.

Sources: Mobile Europe: Paris Metro gets 100% 4G coverage (29 June 2020)

Roaming with your home plan

EU rules apply

France is in the EU, so a SIM from the EU or EEA roams here at home prices within fair use limits.

  • SIM from the EU or EEAHome allowance at home prices, fair use may apply.
  • SIM from elsewhereYour operator’s roaming prices apply.
  • Travel eSIMFor little data abroad or a fixed price. More in EU roaming explained.

Sources: Your Europe: mobile roaming costs

Local SIM card or travel eSIM

No ID check

In France every prepaid SIM needs a valid identity document before it works, which the eSIM skips.

Local SIMTravel eSIM
WhereShop or counterOnline, at home
OnlineAfter setupOn landing
ID checkRequired since 2016Not needed
Home SIMUsually comes outStays in
NumberLocal numberData only

Sources: Orange France: acheter une carte SIM prépayée

How much data for France

0.7 GB a day

Our shop suggests about 0.7 GB a day, enough for maps, messages, social media and some video, and our data guide shows what each app uses.

1 week2 weeks
Maps, messagesabout 2 GBabout 4 GB
Plus social mediaabout 5 GBabout 10 GB
Plus videoabout 10 GBabout 20 GB
Plan for
Paris, 4 daysabout 3 GB
Provence, 1 weekabout 5 GB
Tour, 2 weeksabout 10 GB

Updated 24 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue

Set up before you fly

4 steps

Four steps at home make sure you are online when you land.

  1. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked: list of eSIM phones.
  2. Install the eSIM at home over Wi‑Fi, on iPhone or Android.
  3. On arrival, use the eSIM for mobile data and turn on its data roaming.
  4. Keep data roaming off for your home line, so your operator does not charge you.

Updated 24 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue

Plan types and more countries

Data only

The eSIM is data only, so WhatsApp and FaceTime keep your usual number, as our WhatsApp guide explains.

  • Data plans: a total amount for a set number of days, unused data carries over to the next day.
  • Day plans: a fixed amount per day at full speed, after that as each plan states.
  • Top up: on plans marked “Top-up possible”, add data under My eSIMs without a new eSIM.
  • More countries: a regional plan covers several countries with one eSIM, see below.
Europe eSIM200+ destinations, ready in minutesCharged only when your eSIM is ready
Get your Europe eSIM

Updated 24 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue

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