03.27.09
French Cell Phone
Could it be so simple? Being a very thorough person and sometimes given to excessive research, every now and then I find that I have completely outsmarted myself. But after years of trial and error, I have finally succeeded in simplifying my French cell phone adventures.
The adventures began years ago with an 8-week stay in Paris while my 18-year-old studied at the Sorbonne. We had rented an apartment, and she would be walking to class. Addicted to the convenience and security of a cell phone, I began researching the most economical way to have 2 cell phones for our trip. Since my cell phone company was astronomically high for overseas use, I finally decided to buy 2 inexpensive cell phones and order French Orange SIM cards online, so we would have a smooth transition from the moment we landed.
Unfortunately things do not always go as planned. This was certainly the case when I discovered our cell phones had the language set to Turkish! (As if French was not enough to navigate!) Later I was to discover that I had paid much more to order the SIM cards online, than if I had purchased them at an Orange store in Paris.
As the years rolled on, I clung to my well-used “French” phones, trying numerous different pay-as-you-go plans. Until this January, when it finally came together! As we arrived in Paris, I located the nearest Orange boutique and headed to buy SIM cards. When the assistant greeted me and offered to sell me 2 new cell phones and SIM cards for less than the SIM cards cost online in the U.S., I was beside myself! This was my best deal of the whole trip! (And I love good deals.) Could it really be that simple? Yes, just take your passport and find the closest Orange boutique in Paris; in one stop you can get your phone, your SIM card and purchase the minutes you need – Voilà!