France is a beautiful country with so many unique places to explore, and I was lucky enough to spend some time there this summer for a wedding in the Dordogne.
During this trip, I really needed a reliable internet connection. The house I was staying in had patchy WiFi, I was navigating an unfamiliar area with only my rusty A-Level French (hurray for translation apps), and I still had work to keep on top of whilst travelling.
It wasn’t data roaming or a portable WiFi box that saved the day, but an eSIM. Wondering what an eSIM is? Find out in my handy guide.
I installed an eSIM on my phone before travelling, which provided me with an internet connection the moment I stepped off the plane in Bergerac. It also kept me connected across the countryside, as well as in cities like Bordeaux, so I could focus on enjoying the wedding and getting work done without constant stress over internet access.
My go-to eSIM for France is Saily (an eSIM created by the team at NordVPN). In this article, I’ll share why Saily is my top pick for staying connected in France, from coverage and speeds to flexible plans and handy built-in tools.
Discover more eSIMs: The best eSIMs for all locations here
How to pick the best eSIM for France?
There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the best eSIM for your trip to France. The right plan will keep you connected whether you’re wandering through Paris, road-tripping through Provence, or skiing in the Alps. Here’s what to look for:
- You will want strong and reliable coverage across the whole country: France has a wide mix of environments – dense cities like Paris and Lyon, coastal areas in Normandy and the French Riviera, and rural regions like Dordogne and Alsace. Good national coverage ensures you stay connected no matter where your itinerary takes you.
- You will want enough data for everyday travel tasks: Messaging apps, social media, searching for restaurants, and using Google Maps all require reliable mobile data. Navigation is especially vital when exploring new cities or driving between towns.
- You will want fast 4G or 5G speeds where available: Major French cities have excellent 4G/5G infrastructure, and being able to tap into those speeds makes a noticeable difference when loading maps, uploading photos, or streaming on the go.
- You will want flexible, affordable plans that match your trip length: Whether you’re visiting France for a weekend city break, a two-week vacation, or a longer stay, having multiple plan options helps you avoid overpaying for data you don’t need.
In my experience, Saily meets all these criteria and more. Features like its built-in ad blocker (which can save up to 28% of your data) make staying connected in France even more convenient and cost-efficient. You’ll find more details in my Saily review. Or you can keep reading to learn why Saily’s France eSIM is my top pick!
Please note: If you need calls and SMS with a French phone number, you may want to consider a traditional local SIM card. Most eSIMs provide data-only plans.
Get 10% off your Saily France eSIM when clicking on the link above and using code: MVT10
Why I recommend Saily’s France eSIM
I’ve spent a lot of time travelling around France, and I’ve tested several eSIM providers along the way. On my most recent trip to the Dordogne countryside and Bordeaux, Saily once again proved its worth! With reliable coverage, fast speeds, fair pricing, and useful extra features, it consistently outperformed the others.
Pros
- Great coverage across France
- Reliable access to 4G, LTE, and 5G networks
- Affordable plans with a variety of lengths and data
- Built-in ad blocker that saves data
Cons
- Data-only plans (no French phone number)
- Coverage may be weaker in very remote areas
Coverage that works everywhere you go
France has a mix of destinations (countryside and major cities), and mobile coverage can vary depending on where you are. I found Saily’s France eSIM to be consistently reliable, keeping me connected in Bordeaux (a city), as well as in smaller towns and villages in the Dordogne countryside.
Saily partners with France’s top local network providers, ensuring a stable connection for everyday needs like using Google Maps, booking taxis, browsing the web, or staying in touch with friends and family. You can also hotspot your data to other devices, which is perfect for sharing the internet with your laptop or tablet while travelling.
Coverage includes access to 4G, LTE, and 5G networks where available, so you’ll enjoy fast and dependable internet whether you’re streaming, navigating, or working on the go. As with most providers, coverage may occasionally be patchy in very remote areas, so if you plan to explore off-the-beaten-path locations, it’s worth checking with Saily about network availability in those spots.
Speeds that keep up whilst travelling
Saily’s France eSIM provides reliable access to 4G, LTE, and 5G networks, depending on availability from local carriers. This ensures fast and stable internet, whether you’re in a major city like Paris or Lyon, or in smaller towns and rural areas.
No matter where I travel, I often need fast internet for work, navigation, and staying in touch with friends and family. Saily’s France eSIM kept me reliably connected throughout my recent trip, with speeds fast enough for video calls, media uploads, and even the occasional streaming session.
You can see some of the great speeds, particularly download speeds, I go whilst on my recent trip to Paris in the images above.
Affordable pricing for all trips
Saily offers competitively priced eSIM plans for France, making it easy to stay connected without breaking the bank. Plans start at just US$3.99 for 1 GB (7 days), and go up to US$23.99 for 20 GB (30 days). For heavier users, there’s even an unlimited plan for 15 days at US$48.99.
This flexibility means you can pick a plan that matches the length of your trip and your expected data usage, whether you’re visiting for a weekend, a couple of weeks, or longer.
On top of the affordable base prices, features like Saily’s built-in ad blocker help reduce data usage (more on that below), letting you get more value from your plan while staying connected throughout France.
Built-in tools that save data and hassle
Saily stands out with a set of built-in tools designed to make travelling in France easier, whilst helping you save data:
- Ad blocker: Reduces unnecessary ads while browsing, which can save up to 28% of your mobile data, meaning your plan lasts longer.
- Web protection: Automatically blocks risky or malicious websites, keeping your browsing safe without extra effort.
- Virtual location: Lets you change your virtual location, making it easier to access familiar apps and content while abroad.
These features are all accessible directly in the Saily app, even without an active eSIM plan, so you can stay protected and reduce data usage from the moment you install the app.
By cutting down on wasted data and keeping browsing secure, these tools remove a lot of the usual hassles of travelling, like worrying about running out of data or accidentally visiting unsafe websites.
Who should buy Saily’s eSIM for France?
Honestly, almost any traveller heading to France can benefit from using a Saily eSIM. With flexible plans ranging from 1 GB up to 20 GB (or even unlimited for 15 days) and reliable coverage across cities like Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Nice (as well as smaller towns and rural areas), it’s a solid option no matter how long you’re staying.
Saily’s France eSIMs are easy to manage through the app, including topping up your plan when needed. No need to reinstall or switch providers mid-trip. This makes it ideal whether you’re visiting for a weekend city break, a two-week holiday, or a longer stay.
For remote workers, students, or digital nomads, Saily’s fast 4G/5G speeds and hotspot capability are particularly valuable, letting you stay productive on the move. Holidaymakers will also appreciate how easily they can stream, navigate, and stay connected while exploring new cities or countryside regions.
How to get started with Saily
It is really easy to get set up with Saily. Here is the process I followed to get started:
- Check your phone compatibility: Most newer iPhones and Androids support eSIMs, but it’s worth confirming before you buy. Here’s a helpful guide from Saily.
- Pick your plan: Saily offers flexible data options for France, from 1GB to 20GB (browse them here). Choose the amount of data and duration that suits your trip or daily needs.
- Install your eSIM: After purchasing, you will be provided with clear step-by-step instructions. Activation is fast, and you’ll be online in minutes.
- Download the Saily app: Available for both Apple and Android, this is where you can manage your eSIM. You can also browse new plans and make purchases within the app. If you prefer, you can start this whole process by downloading the app first and purchasing your eSIM plan through there.
- Top up as needed: Running low on data or extending your stay? You can easily add more without downloading a new eSIM, making it super simple for future travel.
My verdict: The best eSIM for France?
After spending time travelling across France, I can honestly say that having a reliable eSIM like Saily makes exploring and staying connected so much easier. With just one download, I had internet access wherever I went.
What I love most about Saily is the combination of features: flexible data plans, solid nationwide coverage, fast 4G/5G speeds, and built-in tools that save data and hassle, like the ad blocker, web protection, and virtual location.
Thanks to Saily, I could navigate new cities, stream content, hotspot to other devices, and stay connected for work or leisure without worrying about losing signal or running out of data.
On top of that, Saily’s pricing is very fair, and the ability to top up your plan directly in the app makes it ideal for both short visits and longer stays. It’s one less thing to stress about while planning your trip, which is a huge convenience when travelling.
For anyone heading to France (whether for business, leisure, or remote work), Saily is my top recommendation for staying connected seamlessly.
Find out why Saily is also my go-to eSIM brand for the USA, the UK, and Mexico.
Best eSIM for France: FAQs
Is Saily the best eSIM for France?
Yes, Saily is one of the best eSIMs for France thanks to its reliable nationwide coverage, fast 4G/5G speeds, affordable pricing, and easy-to-use app. Based on my experience travelling in both cities and rural areas of France, it consistently performed well.
Does Saily eSIM work in rural France?
Yes, Saily works in most rural areas of France, including smaller towns and countryside regions like the Dordogne. While coverage can be slightly weaker in very remote areas (as with any provider), I found it reliable for navigation, browsing, and messaging.
Does Saily support 5G in France?
Yes, Saily supports 5G in France, where local networks offer it. In major cities and larger towns, you can often access 5G speeds, whilst rural areas typically connect via 4G or LTE.
Can I use Saily instead of roaming in France?
Yes, Saily is a great alternative to roaming in France. It allows you to avoid expensive roaming charges while staying connected with local network speeds. You can also keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts.
Does Saily eSIM include calls and SMS in France?
No, Saily eSIMs are data-only. However, you can still make calls and send messages using apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, or Telegram.
Is Saily better than buying a local SIM card in France?
For most travellers, yes. Saily is more convenient than buying a local SIM card because you can install it before arrival, avoid language barriers, and stay connected immediately after landing. A local SIM may be better only if you need a French phone number.
Leave a Reply