Missing friends and family back home is an often inevitable downside of keeping in touch in France during your expat life. You can rest assured that you’ll be able to stay connected with ease when heading to France, thanks to the country’s strong communications infrastructure.

Internet providers in France

Internet providers in France typically offer consolidated packages that bundle internet, cable television services, and a phone contract. These services come with a box that serves for both internet browsing and television streaming. The quality varies between providers, but these deals generally offer good value for money.

The market is dominated by four main providers – Orange (holding about 40 percent of fixed-line subscribers), SFR, Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile. Since 2012, Free Mobile has introduced competitive pricing to the market, breaking the former dominance of the three traditional providers.

Fibre optic internet is now available to approximately 70 percent of properties across France, with the government aiming for nationwide coverage by 2025. If you’re settling in a rural area, check coverage maps before signing up, as speeds can be up to 66 percent slower than in urban zones.

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Mobile phones in France

Mobile phones in France now benefit from expanded 5G coverage, with over 40,000 authorised 5G sites across the country. A standard mobile package contract will include high-speed internet access on your phone and unlimited calls to landlines in France. Most will also include free calls to other European countries, either for a certain number of minutes per month or on an unlimited basis. To sign up for a contract, you’ll usually need your passport and proof of residence. There are also options for prepaid packages where a SIM card is loaded with the required amount as needed.

Try to find out whether your phone picks up a strong signal for your chosen provider in your local area before signing up.

If you’re visiting France short-term, prepaid SIM options are available from all major providers, with tourist-specific packages sold at airports and train stations.

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Postal services in France

Postal services in France are handled by La Poste, a reliable and efficient state-owned organisation. This may surprise expats from countries with different postal systems, as despite being fully public, La Poste has evolved well beyond mail delivery. Alongside its postal duties, La Poste offers a full array of banking services through La Banque Postale, digital innovations, and mobile phone services.

While postal services within France are affordable, international delivery can be expensive. For package delivery, alternatives to La Poste include international couriers like DHL Express, UPS, FedEx, and GLS, which often provide faster delivery times for urgent international shipments.

When receiving international packages, be prepared for potential customs delays, particularly at major entry points like Roissy Charles De Gaulle Cedex. Clear documentation can help speed up the customs clearance process.

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English-language media in France

English-language media in France has evolved with the digital shift. France has several free public television stations, but cable or streaming services will be essential for watching English-language television or channels from home. Most TV programmes in France are dubbed into French, including popular shows from the US. France24 is the only public channel that broadcasts in English, offering worldwide news in English, French and Arabic.

Good news for your wallet: the annual television licence fee has been abolished since 2022, so you no longer need to pay this mandatory charge when purchasing a television in France.

Satellite television is available through shared or individual satellite dishes, although its popularity has declined significantly in urban areas as streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ have taken over. These platforms now serve as the primary source of English content for expats in France.

There are a few English-language publications available in France, such as The Connexion, a monthly newspaper run by France’s expat community. The international edition of the New York Times is also based in France, while The Local is an English-language online news publisher servicing several countries with local editions, including France. A newer addition is Le Monde in English, providing French news from a unique perspective.

Some expats who want to access television content from their home countries use a VPN with their streaming platforms. Services like BritBox also offer specific UK content legally available in France.

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Further reading

►Our breakdown of the Cost of Living in France is a useful starting point when budgeting

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