SIM cards in France

Buy one at the airport when you arrive, it's easier (they'll ask for your passport).
You've to proof your identify when you buy a SIM card in Europe, so don't buy one on amazon or else, it might work few days then shutdown.


About the operator, it depends if you want to call and/or 4G.
The coverage in big city is good for every operator, but you might see difference in more remote place.

SFR / Free / Orange / Bouygues are the most popular.

https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/reuses/cart … en-france/

I use Lefrenchmobile, https://www.lefrenchmobile.com/ They supply a simcard on a pay as you go basis and their help desk speak English!

Hi,
All the above answers are wrong.
The 3 historical networks, Orange (privatized France Telecoms), SFR and Bouygues have all three always been awfully expensive, a bit less since Free arrived on the market and imposed free calls to Europe and the US / Canada and minimal plans starting at EUR 2. depending on how long you want to use your SIM card, you might want to take a EUR 2 or a EUR 20 plan from Free. With the latter you would nearly have unlimited data and unlimited calls to many countries.
In the case you wouldn't be travelling for more than two months, and if you are thinking of getting a pay-go sim, think of an MVNO: it is a network that doesn't have its own physical infrastructures and uses that of one of the four above. there are some French ones, but I recommend Lebara or Lyca. First the Sim is free, you can get it from lots of groceries stores, or you can order it on their corporate website, and if you have a fair use, you do get value for your money. Plus Lyca is present in the US too, as they partnered with T-Mobile (their partner here in France is Bouygues)
And, if you get your card from their website or from a local shop, which is free of charge, you don't need to provide ID, but only during sim activation call.
And no need of 'lefrenchmobile', which is a total rip off btw,  because lyca's customer service is multilingual.

Thanks for that info - I'm going to be moving to France for good and have an (unlocked) iPhone 8. Which SIM card should I buy that will give me permanent (or refillable) service? I have been told the plans are really cheap compared to the plans in the US (usually more than $40/month), and calls to the US are also inexpensive. Thanks!

Indeed, France has really cheap network services.
I'd say check the current discounts on internet + mobile (+ tv ?) packages from the operators.
Depending on the city you'll be living, some providers are way better than others, so pay close attention to it before ordering / ask "young" neighbors!!!

Get a cheap sim card 4g for a month, then switch to internet/mobile/... package

Great advice, thank you!