We are looking for an international sim to allow us to make calls within France and access the internet at our hotels (which offer free internet).
I hear it takes 48 hours to activate sim cards (can anyone confirm this?)
Also, if this is the case, is it better to get one of those sim cards from Australia Post?
To get immediate connection you need to go to large Orange store at Republique or La Defense and other locations - not one of their small franchised stores and pay for and activate your card from there OR you buy card and post off your details, including passport details, and it will be activated when received. About 2 days!!
I found level of service differed from good to indifferent as has to wait a long time to get an English speaking sales person. (My fault as couldn't speak French) apparently there are other places where you may buy SIM cards that offer better service.
Perhaps post on Lonelyplanet thorntree branch or Frip advisor for France and ask about it. the above was my experience in Paris in mid june 2013.
Do not believe anyone who tells you that it is your phones fault, so long as it is unlocked it should be fine. Joy
I attempted to get a local prepaid SIM in France, to no avail. Orange were particularly hard to deal with - eventually I found a store that would sell me a SIM, but for a ridiculous amount (50 euro or something for minimal data for a month).
Given it barely cost me much more than 10 euro or equivalent for a similar deal across Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Austria, Switzerland… I ended up relying on free wifi as no way was it worth that much.
No issue in Paris as its practically everywhere.
Hi not sure if you still need this, I've been doing the same research for an upcoming trip.
Found out that you can get the Lebara France sim sent to Australia even though their web site doesn't say that.
www.lebara.fr
Can't confirm yet as I only have the email from customer support and waiting for sim to arrive.
They also said that if you have trouble ordering that you can contact them and give them details and they do it for you.
Mind you I've also decided to take a Woolworths Global roaming sim as it is the better of the ones I saw online $29 with $10 incl spend, pretty good call back rates and the Sim is interchangeable between iPhone and iPad - which the Lebara isn't.
Happy travels :)