Key takeaways
France has fast 5G in cities and solid 4G on major routes, but coverage thins in Alpine valleys and rural Provence. The simplest way to stay connected is a Roamix France eSIM, which activates on arrival, keeps your Navigo pass topped up and your maps live from the moment you land at CDG. Budget 5 to 10 GB for a one to two week trip.
- Orange has the widest national footprint, making it the safest choice outside Paris.
- A Roamix eSIM activates on arrival so you skip airport SIM counters and carrier roaming bills.
- Paris metro tickets are now digital and managed via Navigo card or smartphone app, so a connected phone matters from day one.
- France is in the Schengen Area, so most Western passport holders enter visa free for up to 90 days.
- Budget 5 to 10 GB for a one to two week trip, more if you stream on TGV trains or tether a laptop.
Best way to get data in France
For nearly everyone visiting France, a Roamix eSIM is the simplest and cheapest way to stay online, with local network speed and no surprise roaming charges.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Instant activation on arrival, local network speeds, no roaming bill and nothing physical to collect. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Long stays needing a local number | Widely available but requires ID, a store visit and swapping out your home SIM. |
| Pocket wifi | Best for: Groups sharing one connection | Another device to charge and return, with daily fees and deposits. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short trips with no setup time | The most expensive option, often charged per day or per MB by home carriers. |
Free wifi is widespread in cafes, hotels and public spaces in Paris and major cities, but speeds vary and public networks are not suitable for banking. Mobile data is far more reliable on the move.
How much data you need
France trips rely on maps for driving and navigation, the SNCF Connect app for train bookings, and the Navigo app for metro tickets. Add social sharing from iconic spots and the data adds up quickly on a multi city trip.
3 to 5 GB
Long weekend in Paris, maps and metro
Navigo top ups, maps, bookings and social sharing over three to four days in the city.
8 to 12 GB
Two week multi region trip
Heavy navigation while driving, TGV bookings, daily social sharing and occasional video calls.
20 GB or more
Remote work or extended stay
Video calls, laptop tethering and cloud uploads over several weeks.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download offline maps of any region you plan to drive through before leaving a city, which saves data and keeps you oriented in rural or Alpine areas with weak signal.
How to set up a France eSIM
Setting up a Roamix France eSIM takes a few minutes and is best done over wifi before you fly. You install it once, and it activates automatically when you connect to a French network on arrival.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix France eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in France and the eSIM connects automatically, no kiosk required.
Works on eSIM capable phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy S models. The phone must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix configures the correct APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
If you have no data on arrival, confirm data roaming is on for the Roamix line, select the network manually in settings and restart the phone.
Visa and entry for France
France is a Schengen Area member. Most Western passport holders, including Americans, Canadians and Australians, can enter visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric registration launched in October 2025 now applies at all Schengen borders.
- eVisa or ETA
- ETIAS, the EU pre-travel authorisation for visa exempt travellers, is expected to launch in late 2026. Until then, eligible visitors enter without advance authorisation beyond the EES biometric check.
- Passport validity
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area and issued within the last 10 years.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward or return travel and sufficient funds may be requested at immigration.
Keep digital copies of your passport and any booking confirmations accessible offline, and use your Roamix eSIM to present documents at the border if needed.
Entry rules change. Always confirm current requirements with the French consulate or official Schengen sources before booking.
When you land in France
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How people message here
French people use WhatsApp widely, alongside iMessage and standard SMS. Messenger is also common, especially with older age groups.
Do you need a local number?
You rarely need a local number as a tourist. Rideshare, restaurant bookings and most services accept your existing number, and a Roamix data line covers app based calling.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS two factor authentication while using the Roamix eSIM for data.
Airports in France
CDG
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Paris
Free unlimited wifi across all terminals, though speeds slow during peak international arrival waves. Terminal 2 international has the most reliable coverage.
CDG is vast and Terminal 2 alone is the size of a small city. Activate your Roamix eSIM before boarding so you land already connected and can track your RER B connection on the RATP app, check hotel check-in time and message your host before your bag arrives at the carousel.
ORY
Paris Orly Airport
Paris
Free wifi available across Orly Sud and Orly Ouest terminals with no time limit.
Orly is closer to central Paris than CDG and serves many short-haul European routes. The Orlyval automatic metro connects to the RER B at Antony in 8 minutes. An active eSIM lets you check live RER B connections before you leave the terminal.
NCE
Nice Cote d'Azur Airport
Nice
Free wifi in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 with generally strong signal.
NCE sits on the Promenade des Anglais, making it uniquely walkable to central Nice on arrival. For Cannes, Monaco or Menton connections, the Lignes d'Azur bus runs every 20 minutes. Use Roamix data for live schedule updates at the bus stop outside arrivals.
LYS
Lyon Saint-Exupery Airport
Lyon
Free wifi throughout the terminal. Rhonexpress tram connects to Part-Dieu station in 30 minutes.
Lyon is the culinary capital of France. From LYS, your Roamix data can pull up a TheFork reservation at a bouchon in the Croix-Rousse neighbourhood while you are still on the Rhonexpress tram into the city.
Apps and internet access in France
France has an open internet, so all common apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There is no general censorship of social media, messaging or search. You do not need a VPN to use any mainstream service.
WhatsApp, works
Fully available for messaging and calls.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over data and wifi.
Google Maps and Search, works
No restrictions.
Social media, works
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X all work.
Getting around France
France combines one of Europe's best high speed rail networks with a dense urban transit system in Paris and a car centred rural interior. Most ways of getting around now depend on a connected phone for bookings, tickets and navigation.
Paris metro and RER
The metro network has growing 4G coverage in tunnels. Use the Bonjour RATP or IDF Mobilites app to buy and manage Navigo tickets directly on your phone.
TGV intercity trains
France's high speed network connects Paris to major cities in under three hours. Book on the SNCF Connect app and keep your eSIM active for live departure boards.
Rideshare and taxis
Uber and the local BlaBlaCar Daily app operate in Paris and major cities, needing an active data connection to book and track rides.
Car rental
Essential for reaching rural areas and the Provence countryside. Use live navigation in covered areas and cache offline maps for mountain or remote routes.
Buy a Navigo Easy card for Paris metro and bus travel, load it via the Bonjour RATP or IDF Mobilites app on your phone, and use SNCF Connect to book intercity TGV trains.
Money and payments in France
France uses the euro. Contactless payment is widely accepted in cities, though some rural markets, small bakeries and rural campsites still prefer cash.
- Cards and cash
- Cards and contactless wallets work in most restaurants, shops and transport. Carry a small amount of cash for village markets, tips and the occasional cash only venue.
- ATMs
- ATMs are plentiful in cities and towns. Choose to be charged in euros rather than your home currency to avoid poor dynamic conversion rates.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted in cities. A connected Roamix eSIM keeps your wallet and banking apps working across the country.
- Tipping
- Service is included in restaurant bills by law. Rounding up or leaving one to two euros for good service is appreciated but not obligatory.
Daily budget
Budget travellers spend around 60 to 100 EUR a day, mid range 120 to 250 EUR, with Paris significantly pricier than regional France.
Local tips for France
- Language
- French is the official language and is spoken even in tourist areas. A few words of French go a long way with locals. A connected translation app covers menus and signage when needed.
- Food
- French cuisine ranges from neighbourhood bistros and boulangeries to three Michelin star restaurants. Book popular restaurants well in advance using an app like TheFork.
- Plugs
- 230V, Type C/E plugs
Apps worth having
SNCF Connect
transit
Book TGV trains, Intercites and regional rail across France, with live departure boards and digital tickets.
Bonjour RATP
transit
Plan and pay for Paris metro, RER and bus journeys, and manage your Navigo card digitally.
TheFork
dining
Reserve tables at French restaurants with real time availability, often with discount offers.
Safety and health in France
France is generally safe for travellers. Petty theft and pickpocketing are the main risks in Paris, particularly on the metro, at tourist sites and at CDG airport. Stay aware of your surroundings in crowded areas.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active to receive live alerts, check transport disruptions and use maps to navigate safely in unfamiliar neighbourhoods.
- Health
- Healthcare is excellent. EU residents can use their European Health Insurance Card. Non EU visitors should carry comprehensive travel insurance.
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout France.
Networks and coverage in France
France has mature 4G coverage nationwide and rapidly expanding 5G in its major cities. A Roamix France eSIM connects to the strongest available local network the moment you land, giving you reliable data in Paris, on TGV trains and along the major tourist routes, with no SIM kiosk queue and no roaming fees.
Orange
The broadest national reach, strong in rural areas, mountain regions and on the TGV intercity rail lines.
SFR
Solid coverage in cities and along the Atlantic coast, with competitive 5G speeds in Paris and Lyon.
Bouygues Telecom
Good urban and suburban coverage, particularly strong in the Paris region and northern France.
- Typical speeds
- Expect 50 to 200 Mbps on urban 5G and 20 to 60 Mbps on regional 4G.
- 5G
- 5G is live across Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Toulouse, with ongoing rollout in medium cities.
If your trip includes driving in Provence or the Alps, choose a Roamix plan on the Orange footprint for the widest rural reach.
Coverage drops in deep Alpine valleys, Corsica's interior and some remote Massif Central routes. Download offline maps before venturing into mountain or rural areas. French networks use widely supported LTE and 5G bands, so a Roamix eSIM works on virtually any recent unlocked smartphone.
Where to go in France
France offers one of Europe's most varied travel experiences, from the art and food of Paris to the beaches of the Cote d'Azur, the vineyards of Burgundy and the ski resorts of the French Alps. Staying online with a Roamix eSIM keeps navigation, train bookings and live transit updates working wherever you go.
Best time to visit
May to June and September to October offer mild weather and smaller crowds. July and August are peak summer and very busy on the Riviera and in Paris.
Ile-de-France
Paris and its surrounding region, home to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame de Paris (reopened December 2024), Versailles and a world class food scene with the greatest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants on Earth.
- Eiffel Tower
- Louvre Museum
- Notre-Dame de Paris
- Palace of Versailles
- Sainte-Chapelle
Excellent 5G across central Paris and the inner suburbs, with strong 4G throughout the wider Ile-de-France region. Orange maintains signal on all major Metro lines.
Provence and the Cote d'Azur
Lavender fields in the Luberon (peak bloom July), the port villages of Cassis and Sanary-sur-Mer, the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the Palais des Papes in Avignon and the glamorous coast from Marseille to Monaco.
- Gordes
- Promenade des Anglais, Nice
- Calanques National Park
- Avignon Palais des Papes
- Pont du Gard
Strong Orange 4G and 5G in Nice, Marseille, Cannes and Aix-en-Provence. The Luberon plateau between Gordes and Apt has patchy coverage in agricultural valleys.
Burgundy, Rhone Valley, and Lyon
France's gastronomic heartland: the vineyards of the Cote d'Or between Dijon and Beaune, the UNESCO-listed Route des Vins villages, and Lyon's bouchon restaurant culture anchored by the legacy of Paul Bocuse.
- Beaune Hotel-Dieu
- Dijon Ducal Palace
- Lyon's Vieux Lyon Saint-Jean quarter
- Vezelay Basilica
- Chablis wine village
Excellent coverage in Lyon, Dijon and Beaune. Village-level coverage in the Cote d'Or wine route is generally good on Orange. Remote hill roads south of Macon can drop to 3G.
Brittany and Normandy
The D-Day beaches of Normandy, the tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel, the walled city of Saint-Malo, the prehistoric standing stones at Carnac and a region of oyster culture, cider and dramatic Atlantic coastlines.
- Mont Saint-Michel
- Omaha Beach and Memorial Museum
- Saint-Malo ramparts
- Carnac standing stones
- Pont-Aven
Bouygues Telecom and Orange both perform well across Brittany and Normandy. Mont Saint-Michel causeway and the island have strong 4G. The D-Day beach areas including Omaha and Utah are covered.
The Loire Valley and Southwest
The Loire Valley holds the highest concentration of Renaissance chateaux in the world, including Chambord, Chenonceau and Amboise. The Dordogne Perigord has truffles, foie gras and the Lascaux IV cave painting museum. Bordeaux anchors one of the world's greatest wine regions.
- Chateau de Chambord
- Chateau de Chenonceau
- Bordeaux waterfront
- Lascaux IV cave painting museum
- Rocamadour village
Good Orange coverage throughout Loire Valley towns and major chateau sites. Bordeaux and Dordogne main towns are well covered. Remote farming roads in the Lot and Tarn valleys can drop signal.
Off the beaten path
Europe's answer to the Grand Canyon: a 25 km gorge plunging 700 metres with turquoise water perfectly suited for kayaking and white-water rafting, dramatically undervisited compared to its quality.
Signal: Orange 4G at the Moustiers-Sainte-Marie village rim viewpoints and at La Palud-sur-Verdon. The canyon bottom road (Route des Cretes) has very limited signal through the switchback sections. Download offline maps and kayak booking confirmations in Moustiers before descending.
A perfectly preserved medieval Alsatian town with the Petite Venise canal quarter, flower-draped half-timbered houses on Rue des Marchands, and the Unterlinden Museum housing Grunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece.
Signal: Excellent Orange coverage in Colmar and all Alsace wine villages including Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Ribeauville. Coverage is continuous along the Route des Vins D83 road.
The Dordogne valley holds medieval bastide towns including Domme, Beynac and Les Eyzies, truffle and foie gras markets, and the greatest concentration of prehistoric cave paintings on Earth, culminating in the Lascaux IV museum replica.
Signal: Orange 4G in Sarlat-la-Caneda and major villages. The Dordogne river road has intermittent coverage. Remote bastide villages and the Lascaux area cave sites have variable signal.
One of the most photographed places in France: a Gothic abbey crowning a granite island that becomes surrounded by the fastest-rising tides in Europe twice daily.
Signal: Orange 4G on the causeway and in the Mont Saint-Michel village. The abbey interior maintains signal. The surrounding tidal flats used for guided tide walks are off-grid.
The finest Gothic cathedral in France, with a complete 12th-century stained glass set in luminous blues and reds that no photograph replicates, accessible on a 90-minute train from Paris Montparnasse.
Signal: Orange 4G throughout Chartres city and the cathedral precinct. Signal is strong inside the cathedral's interior. The surrounding Beauce agricultural plain has continuous coverage on the N10 and A10.
Europe's largest river delta, home to wild white horses, pink flamingos, black bulls, and an eerie flat landscape of rice paddies and salt pans unlike anywhere else in Western Europe.
Signal: Orange 4G in Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Aigues-Mortes. The Camargue interior nature paths and the Etang de Vaccares bird sanctuary have intermittent coverage. Download offline maps before leaving the main towns.
Europe's best-preserved medieval walled city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with double walls, 52 towers and surrounding vineyards that are genuinely astonishing at sunset from the A61 autoroute.
Signal: Excellent Orange coverage throughout the fortified cite and the lower Bastide Saint-Louis. No signal issues on the ramparts or inside the Chateau Comtal.
The birthplace of alpinism, home to Europe's highest peak at 4,808 metres, and the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which delivers visitors to 3,842 metres in 20 minutes for a view with no equal in Western Europe.
Signal: Orange 4G in Chamonix town, Les Houches and at the Aiguille du Midi cable car station. High altitude glacier routes including the Mer de Glace and Vallee Blanche have limited coverage. The French-Italian border zone near the Mont Blanc tunnel has roaming transitions.
The iconic chalk sea arches made famous by Monet and Courbet, including the arch of the Falaise d'Aval and the standing needle of l'Aiguille, which are genuinely otherworldly at dawn or in stormy weather.
Signal: Orange 4G throughout Etretat village and on both the Amont and Aval cliff walks. Clifftop paths above the village maintain signal throughout.
Strasbourg is simultaneously French and Germanic: a Rhineland cathedral, an EU capital, and a Christmas market drawing 3 million visitors in December. The half-timbered La Petite France quarter on the Ill canal island is the most photographed neighbourhood in Alsace.
Signal: Excellent Orange 5G in Strasbourg city centre, the Grande Ile UNESCO island and the European Parliament quarter. Coverage is continuous across all central arrondissements.
Events and seasons in France
February, two weeks
Nice Carnival
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
One of the world's largest carnival celebrations. The Mardi Gras battle of the flowers parade (bataille de fleurs) and the main corsege parade both run along the Promenade des Anglais with giant satirical floats.
March (Autumn-Winter) and September to October (Spring-Summer)
Paris Fashion Weeks
Paris
The twice-yearly haute couture and pret-a-porter fashion weeks transform Paris hotel lobbies, cafe terraces and the streets around the Grand Palais and Carrousel du Louvre into global fashion theatre. Street style photography reaches its annual peak.
Mid May, two weeks
Cannes Film Festival
Cannes, Provence
The world's most glamorous film festival, combining industry screenings with star-studded red carpet events on the steps of the Palais des Festivals. The Croisette boulevard becomes a daily spectacle of celebrities, photographers and yacht parties.
June 21
Fete de la Musique
Nationwide, biggest events in Paris
France's national music day, when amateur and professional musicians play free concerts in streets, courtyards, parks and public squares across the entire country. In Paris, every arrondissement has multiple stages covering genres from opera to reggae.
First three weeks of July
Tour de France
Nationwide, finishing in Paris
The world's most watched annual sporting event, covering 3,000 km across France in 21 stages over three weeks. Every stage town becomes a carnival on the day of the peloton, and the final stage on the Champs-Elysees is one of sport's great spectacles.
July, three weeks
Avignon Theatre Festival
Avignon, Provence
One of the world's leading performing arts festivals. The official IN programme stages works in the Palais des Papes courtyard and historic venues. The OFF festival runs simultaneously with 1,500 additional shows throughout the city.
July 14
Bastille Day
Paris and nationwide
France's national day, marked by a military parade down the Champs-Elysees in the morning, the world's largest national day parade, followed by Eiffel Tower fireworks at 11pm synchronised to a classical music score broadcast on France 2.
Third Thursday of November
Beaujolais Nouveau Night
Lyon and nationwide
At midnight on the third Thursday of November, the new Beaujolais wine is released and Lyon's wine bars open to celebrate. The ritual of the first pour is taken seriously in Lyon, where the bouchon tradition makes this the most wine-serious city in France.
Late November to December 31
Strasbourg Christmas Market
Strasbourg, Alsace
The oldest Christmas market in France, operating since 1570, and one of the largest in Europe with 300 chalets across 11 sites including Place Broglie, Place Gutenberg and Rue du Maroquin.
December 8 to 11
Fete des Lumieres
Lyon
Lyon's Festival of Lights commemorates the city's historical devotion to the Virgin Mary with four nights of extraordinary large-scale light installations across the entire city. Over 4 million visitors gather to see 40 plus installations on buildings, bridges and public squares.
Through the year
- Spring
- March to May offers mild weather, blooming countryside and good value before the peak summer rush.
- Summer
- June to August is warm to hot, with peak tourist crowds in Paris and the Riviera. The south can be extremely hot in July and August.
- Fall
- September to November brings cooler weather, harvest festivals in wine regions and fewer crowds at major sites.
- Winter
- December to February is cold in the north and in the Alps, where ski season runs from December through March.
Working remotely from France
France is a strong remote work destination with fast urban internet, a growing coworking scene in Paris and Lyon, and a high quality of life. The time zone suits teams working with Europe and West Africa.
- Connection
- Urban 5G easily supports video calls and tethering. A Roamix plan of 20 GB or more covers a working week of calls and uploads.
Paris and Lyon have abundant coworking spaces. Use your eSIM as a secure backup for sensitive work on public cafe wifi.
