I’m thrilled to be visiting the beautiful country of France soon. As an avid traveler, staying connected is incredibly important to me. I want easy access to maps, translation tools, ride shares, restaurant reviews, and more.
That’s why I always use an eSIM when I travel internationally instead of dealing with expensive roaming charges. eSIMs provide convenient, affordable mobile data without the need for physical SIM cards.
In this detailed guide, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know to find the perfect France eSIM in 2024, including:
- Why you should use a France eSIM
- Factors to consider when choosing an eSIM
- A comparison of top providers and plans
- Tips for activating and using your eSIM
So if you’re looking forward to your own upcoming trip to France and want to stay connected without breaking the bank, keep reading!
Why You Should Use a France eSIM
Let’s start by looking at a few key reasons travelers are switching to eSIM plans instead of relying on their carrier’s international roaming:
Avoid Outrageously High Roaming Rates
If you use your regular carrier plan in France, you’ll likely pay $10 per day just for basic data access. Not to mention, they severely restrict your high-speed data allowance before throttling speeds.
This makes even simple tasks like email unbearably slow. And good luck using data-hungry apps like Google Maps or FaceTime at these unusable speeds.
Unreliable International Roaming Coverage
While major carriers claim to offer service throughout Europe, that’s often untrue. You’ll likely deal with spotty coverage, dropped calls, lost connections, and poor performance.
That’s not how you want to spend your long-awaited vacation abroad!
Flexible eSIM Plans
With eSIMs, you can select a prepaid data allowance tailored to match the exact length of your upcoming stay in France.
You’ll also find plans with full 4G LTE speeds (some even 5G ready!) at a fraction of typical roaming rates.
Key Factors For Picking a France eSIM
To help you select the perfect eSIM plan for your needs and budget, here are the key details to consider:
Data Allowance
How much mobile data do you typically use when traveling? If you’ll rely extensively on your phone’s data connection, choose a plan with a higher allowance like 20GB+.
But if you just need occasional access for simple tasks, a “light usage” 5GB plan could work.
High-Speed Data Cap
Many France eSIM providers advertise “unlimited data” but actually slow your speeds WAY down after you hit a certain threshold (usually 5-10GB).
So if fast 4G/LTE (or 5G) speeds are important to keep your apps working properly, understand each plan’s high-speed data cap.
Length of Stay
Carefully consider how long you’ll visit France. Is it a quick weekend getaway or extended multi-week stay?
Match the eSIM plan length (typically 5 to 30 days) accordingly with some buffer on both ends of your trip.
Calling & Texting Needs
Many eSIM plans are data-only, meaning they do NOT support voice calls or SMS texting. If you require calling access, make sure to choose an eSIM plan with a French phone number and talk/text allowance.
Budget
Of course, your travel budget plays a role too. eSIM prices range from around $5 per month for “light data usage” plans up to $50+ for unlimited high-speed data options.
Factor in data needs and trip duration to find an affordable eSIM plan.
Flexible Cancellation
No one can predict exactly what will happen on vacation. Look for France eSIM providers with lenient cancellation policies, just in case your itinerary unexpectedly shifts.
Short fixed-term plans (like 7 or 15 days) also provide flexibility versus longer monthly plans.
Top France eSIM Providers & Plans Compared
Now that you know what eSIM capabilities matter most, here is an overview of reputable providers and plans worth considering for travel in France:
![best esim providers for france][]
1. Orange Holiday Europe eSIM
- 30GB high-speed data in Europe
- Unlimited calls & texts
- $45 for 30 days
- 5G network & EU roaming
If you want a French number with calling access, this Orange plan is tough to beat. You get ample data to use throughout Europe with free roaming plus unlimited talk and text.
The only downside is the 30 day plan length isn’t flexible. But it’s still an excellent choice if you’ll travel around Europe.
2. Jetpac France eSIM
- 1GB data for just $1
- Up to 40GB plans available
- Prepaid options from 4 to 30 days
- Super affordable per GB
For ultimate flexibility paired with low rates, Jetpac eSIMs are a top contender. Pay only for exactly the data you end up using during your trip. Or get 10GB+ monthly plans starting around $12.
While they only offer 4G/LTE speeds currently, Jetpac provides outstanding affordability.
3. Airalo France eSIM
- 1GB for just $4.50
- 5G connectivity
- 7 to 30 day validity
- Free EU roaming
- Plans up to 20GB/month
Another flexible pay-as-you-go style option is Airalo. But they also have fixed 5, 10 and 20GB monthly plans with blazing fast 5G speeds.
So Airalo balances both flexible top-up options as well as fixed allocations on 5G networks starting at just $4.50 for light users.
Activating & Using Your France eSIM
Ordering and setting up an eSIM takes just minutes. But here are a few handy activation tips:
- Order early to avoid shipping delays of your QR activation code
- Download the eSIM provider’s app for easy account management
- Carefully follow activation steps when scanning your unique QR code
- Set a data limit on iOS to prevent surprise overages
- Disable roaming on your primary cellular plan to ensure data goes through your eSIM
Once activated, simply connect to France’s cellular networks upon arrival. Safe travels and enjoy your newfound mobile flexibility with eSIM!
Why I Recommend UPeSIM
While all the France eSIM providers listed above are solid choices, my personal favorite is UPeSIM.
I’ve used them extensively across Europe and around the globe to stay connected without breaking the bank.
Here’s why UPeSIM tops my list as the overall best eSIM for travel in France:
1. Outstanding Coverage
With access to all three of France’s major carrier networks – Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom – UPeSIM offers unmatched coverage around the country.
I’ve found their 4G LTE speeds blazing fast even with heavy usage across Paris, Nice, Bordeaux and rural areas.
2. Flexible Top-Up Options
UPeSIM allows you to pay-as-you-go with affordable data packages starting at just 500MB for €5. If you end up needing more data mid-trip, topping up is instant.
But they also offer fixed data allocations (like 5GB for 30 days) so you can lock-in a set rate upfront.
3. eSIM Support Across Devices
I can easily use the same UPeSIM account across all my devices including iPhones, Android phones and cellular-enabled tablets.
Switching between my smartphone and iPad for work is a breeze with UPeSIM’s multi-device compatibility using the same plan.
4. Reliable Customer Service
With 24/7 customer service and an average response time of just 15 minutes, I know I can get any issues resolved promptly.
Their support team is always friendly and helpful whenever I’ve had to reach out about an activation issue or plan change.
For these reasons and more, UPeSIM is my go-to for seamless, stress-free connectivity across France. I highly recommend checking them out as you make your own plans!
Frequently Asked Questions About Using a France eSIM
Here are quick answers to some common questions travelers have around eSIM for France:
Can I keep my phone number?
Yes, with dual SIM phones you can use your eSIM for data and your regular SIM for calls/texts. iPhones allow multiple eSIMs simultaneously.
How much do France eSIMs cost?
France eSIMs start around $4.50 for 1GB up to $50/month for unlimited high speed data. Many offer pay-as-you-go options too.
Do France eSIMs have a local phone number?
Some do and some don’t. Look for plans that specifically mention “France phone number included” if you require one.
Can I use 5G with France eSIMs?
More and more France plans support blazing fast 5G speeds – just double check 5G compatibility before purchasing your eSIM.
Are international eSIMs better?
For exploring multiple European countries in one trip, international eSIMs are better with bundled roaming. But France-specific eSIMs are cheaper if only visiting France.
Summary: Stress-Free Connectivity With France eSIM
Using an eSIM for travel in France offers countless benefits over relying on expensive and unreliable carrier roaming packages.
You can conveniently order a plans from various providers in just minutes with complete mobile flexibility.
Arrive with high speed data ready access to maps, travel guides, ride shares, restaurant recommendations, translations, and more.
Pay only for the exact data need – saving a ton of money by avoiding costly roaming fees.
So whatever your travel style and plans are in France, there’s an ideal eSIM solution. Squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of your trip without worrying about spotty coverage or blowing your budget!
Have an amazing time in beautiful France! Just don’t forget to look up from your phone now and then to soak it all in.
Related Resources
Looking for more guidance about traveling comfortably with eSIM connectivity? Check out these articles:
- Ultimate Guide to International eSIM Cards for Travel
- Using eSIM With Dual SIM Phones: A Guide
- Activating eSIM on iPhone and Android
Safe travels and happy connecting!
