Tourist SIMs at a glance
- Carriers and shopsTourist SIMs are available from Orange and Bouygues Telecom. You can get them through airport counters, carrier stores, and authorised partners.
- Packs and limitsA tourist eSIM is also available from Orange and Bouygues Telecom.
- Good to know
- Every prepaid SIM in France needs an identity card, passport or residence permit. Orange says this has been a legal obligation since 2016 and applies to every operator.
- Bouygues Telecom sells its My European SIM in Relay shops at airports and railway stations, in tobacconists and at partner stores (France.fr).
- Orange's Holiday Europe eSIM is bought online, and you install it by scanning the QR code from the confirmation e-mail.
France SIM card or eSIM: side by side
| eSIM | Local SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you get it | In the app, before you fly | airport counters, carrier stores, and authorised partners |
| Ready when you land | Yes, if installed before the flight | After you have bought and set it up |
| Phone number | Data only, no number | Depends on the pack, see the carrier page |
| Plans and prices | Shown live below, by data size and days | On the carrier or airport page |
Local SIM details change. Confirm them with the carrier or the airport.
Set it up before you fly
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked: eSIM compatible phones.
- Pick a plan for your destination below.
- Payment is taken once the eSIM is ready.
- Install it at home over Wi-Fi: tap Install in the app or scan the QR code.
- After landing, switch on data roaming for the eSIM line.
- Most plans start when your phone first connects there.
Prefer a daily allowance? 1 GB per day · 7 days for €7.99: 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.
Questions and answers
France: can tourists buy a local SIM card?
Yes. Visitors can buy a local SIM from Orange and Bouygues Telecom. An eSIM set up at home is the alternative if you want data the moment you land.
France: tourist SIM or eSIM, which is better?
A tourist SIM suits you if you want a local plan or number. An eSIM suits you if you want data the moment you land, without a counter visit.
France: how much data does a week need?
About 5 GB suit a typical week of maps, messages and rides. How much data do I need helps you pick a size.
Does the eSIM come with a phone number?
No. Plans are data only. Keep your own SIM for calls and texts, and use messaging apps over data.
Updated 24 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue
How we check our data · Prices and plans come live from our catalogue; facts come from official sources, listed where we use them.
Sources: Orange France: buy a prepaid SIM card · France.fr: My European SIM · Orange: Holiday Europe prepaid offers · Bouygues Telecom: My European SIM as an eSIM
