Best eSIM in France (2024)

Buying an eSIM data plan in France can be confusing, so I thought I'd put together an in-depth guide to the best eSIM plans in France to help you get cheap and reliable international mobile data when traveling. I also try to point out any activation and troubleshooting issues you may have when setting up your plan.

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How to buy a French eSIM data plan

There are three main options for obtaining eSIM data when traveling in France. Each option has its pros and cons, which I'll detail below:

• Purchase a third-party “guest” eSIM data plan: These mobile plans “rent” bandwidth from the big French mobile operators and they are designed for short-term visitors (I recommend Simulation options and Horafle).
  • advantage: They are designed to be tourist-friendly, fast, and very reasonably priced. They're easy to purchase before traveling, and activation is usually simple.
  • shortcoming: There is little/no customer support, and some carriers may throttle your download speeds if network congestion is severe.
• Buy an eSIM data plan in France from a French mobile operator: Some well-known mobile operators in France have begun allowing short-term tourists to purchase eSIM packages.
  • advantage: Buying direct from France's major mobile operators will give you the best eSIM prices, the most data and the fastest data speeds.
  • shortcoming: Not all major French mobile operators offer plans for short-term visitors, and you usually have to travel to a physical location in France to set up.
• Use your current mobile plan's international data plan: Every major mobile carrier (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc.) has international options that connect directly to local carriers in France.
  • advantage: This is the most seamless option as your phone will automatically connect to the local data network upon your arrival in France. If you need to make a phone call, this is usually the easiest option.
  • shortcoming: Your mobile operator will charge you extra (usually $10+/day) and the speeds will be the same as third-party “tour” plans because your local operator will also rent bandwidth from the local major operator.

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Best Prepaid eSIM Data Plans in France

There are several different eSIM mobile providers that offer data plans specifically for French tourists.

Each plan will be slightly different, so be sure to pay attention to the specific details of each plan. But here are the main things to consider:

• Data traffic: Most plans give you a certain amount of mobile data (i.e. 5GB, 10GB, 30GB, etc.) but other plans give you unlimited data for a certain period of time (5 days, 15 days, 30 days, etc.).
• Plan length: The validity period of eSIM data plans is approximately 5 days to 90 days. This depends on your plan, so you need to consider this when choosing a plan.
• Mobile hotspot tethering: Most eSIM plans don't allow you to use your phone as a mobile hotspot.
• Voice calls and text messages: Most eSIM plans offer data only, which means the plan does not include voice calls or text messages. This isn't a big deal since you probably won't be calling people, but some plans do come with some voice minutes.
  • Note: You can still “text” between iPhones using iMessage, but you can't send messages between an iPhone and an Android phone. Or you can download WhatsApp to send messages via data (which is what most Europeans do).

Orange Holiday Europe eSIM (50GB)

• price: $59.90 (check Simulation options details)
• data: 50GB
• Service speed: 4G/LTE
• Incoming call: Unlimited within Europe, 120 minutes outside Europe.
• SMS/SMS: Unlimited within Europe and 1000 outside Europe.
• Credit validity period: 28 days
• Data sharing: allow
• Works on any device (phone, tablet, hotspot…)
• This eSIM plan comes with a French phone number and can still be used anywhere in Europe
• Services throughout the EU

If you need a lot of mobile data, consider the newly released Orange Holiday Europe 50GB eSIM Data Plan. It has 50GB data and is valid for 28 days (as compared to 14 days for the Orange Holiday Europe plan).

This eSIM also has many features not found on other plans, including international voice calling and text messaging (it gives you a real French phone number that can be used anywhere in Europe). Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plans also allow you to use your phone as a mobile hotspot, so you can make the most of your extra data. Orange is also one of the largest mobile companies in Europe, so you'll always get good coverage and high data speeds.

I personally used the Orange Vacations Europe program on my trip to France and it worked really well. read mine Orange Holidays Europe Review Hear more.

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HOLAFLY France Unlimited Data ESIM

Horafle is a new data-only eSIM provider that I have used before when traveling to Europe — the service was great and my data speeds were fast (read my Holafly eSIM Review for a deeper understanding). Horafle Sells country-specific French plans and Europe-wide data plans. Holafly isn't really a mobile operator, but they rent bandwidth from a local French provider (SFR), so you're more likely to get lower priority on the SFR network during peak usage times.

I appreciate that Holafly's plans range from 5 to 90 days, so you don't have to over/under purchase for your particular trip. Holafly doesn't allow data sharing, so you can't use your phone as a mobile hotspot.

• Unlimited data prices (check Horafle details)
  • 10 days: $34
  • 15 days: $47
  • 20 days: $54
  • 30 days: $64
  • 60 days: $84
  • 90 days: $99
• Service speed: 5G/4G/LTE
• Call coverage: without any
• Short message: without any
• Network sharing: No
• Data services are available across the EU

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European Orange Holiday 20GB ESIM

• price: $49.90 (check Simulation options details)
• data: 20GB (sometimes they give you 30GB of data)
• Service speed: 4G/LTE
• Incoming call: Unlimited within Europe, 120 minutes outside Europe.
• SMS/SMS: Unlimited within Europe and 1000 outside Europe.
• Credit validity period: 14 days
• Data sharing: allow
• Works on any device (phone, tablet, hotspot…)
• This eSIM plan comes with a French phone number
• Services throughout the EU

this Orange Holiday Europe eSIM Data Plans is the “Cadillac” of eSIM plans as it has many features that other plans don't have, including international voice calling and text messaging (it also gives you an actual French phone number). Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plans also allow you to use your phone as a mobile hotspot.

With this plan, you get 20GB of data, but they often run specials that give you an extra 10GB of data. But for most users, even 20GB of data is enough. One potential drawback of the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plan is that it's only valid for 14 days, so it's not suitable for longer visits (but you can always buy a second plan).

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Bouygues My European eSIM

Bouygues is another large French telco that recently released its own prepaid eSIM data plans to compete with the popular Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plans. I've used prepaid Bouygues SIM cards on previous trips to Europe, so I'm glad they finally offer an eSIM card.

The Bouygues My Europe eSIM plan has a lot going for it, especially since it comes with 30GB of data and unlimited calls/texts within Europe as standard. I also like that this Bouygues eSIM plan is valid for 30 days, so it's a great option for longer trips.

• price: $44.90 (check Simulation options details)
• data: 30GB
• Data sharing: allow
• Service speed: 4G/LTE
• Incoming call: Unlimited calls within Europe, credit is available for overseas calls
• SMS/SMS: There are no restrictions in Europe, and overseas text messages can be used.
• Credit validity period: 30 days
• telephone number: This eSIM card comes with a French phone number
• Coverage: Anywhere within the EU (except Switzerland)

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Orange Holiday Zen 8GB ESIM

• price: $29.90 (check Simulation options details)
• data: 8GB (sometimes they give you 15GB data)
• Service speed: 4G/LTE
• Incoming call: Unlimited within Europe, 30 minutes outside Europe.
• SMS/SMS: Unlimited within Europe, 200 outside Europe.
• Credit validity period: 14 days
• Data sharing: allow
• Works on any device (phone, tablet, hotspot…)
• This eSIM plan comes with a French phone number
• Services throughout the EU

this Orange Holiday Zen eSIM Is the budget version of the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plan. It comes with 8GB of data and less voice minutes and text messages, but otherwise is the same as the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plan.

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Using a mobile operator's international data plan in France (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc.)

Most major mobile carriers have international data plan options, but service is often slow, inconsistent, and data is limited—especially at the high prices they charge.

But this is the easiest option, as your phone will automatically connect to the local French network without you having to do anything.

For example, many T-Mobile The plan comes with free unlimited international data, but after about 10GB of data you're dropped to super-slow 2G data speeds… which will make it difficult to load Google Maps or emails. this AT&T International Day Pass The fee is $12/day. and Verizon There is a $10/day pass, but after 2GB per day they drop you to 3G speeds.

For reference, prepaid eSIM data plans come from orange or Horafly The cost per day is approximately US$2-4.

For more in-depth information, check out The Savvy Backpacker’s guide How to use a smartphone and data plan in Europe and smart backpacker hostels Guide to using eSIM data plans in Europe.

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eSIM data plans from France Mobile

Another option is to buy an eSIM from a French mobile provider, which is usually the most affordable way to access mobile data. However, not all French operators offer prepaid data plans to tourists, and many require you to sign up for a monthly plan before installing an eSIM. France is less than ideal if you're only visiting it for a week or two.

You can usually only buy these data plans from brick-and-mortar retail stores in France, which means you can't get data until you find a phone store. You may also pay an activation fee of $5 to $10.

Here are the largest mobile operators in France:

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More France travel tips from savvy backpackers

Here are some of my favorite articles to help you plan your trip to France (and beyond):