2.1 SIM card comparison French phone plans are cheap. Most students pay €10–15/month for 100+ GB. Always pick sans engagement (no commitment). Operator · Price/month · Best for • Free Mobile · €2 or €19.99 · Cheapest, or 250 GB data hogs

• Sosh · €10–15 · Orange network, easy online sign-up
• RED by SFR · €10–15 · Balanced price + decent signal
• B&You · €10–15 · Frequent promos, good network --- • Lyca / Lebara · €5–15 prepaid · Cheap calls home, no bank needed
• Orange / SFR / Bouygues · €20–40 · Premium service, English help --- ## 2.2 French number in 24 hours (eSIM) If your phone supports eSIM, skip the store. You'll have a French number in 5 minutes. ### Steps • 1. Go to free.fr, sosh.fr, or red-by-sfr.fr.
• 2. Pick a plan. Select eSIM (not physical SIM).
• 3. Pay with any French RIB — Revolut works.
• 4. Scan the QR code emailed to you.
• 5. Done. You have a French number. --- ### If your phone doesn't do eSIM • Order a physical SIM online → 3–5 business days.
• Or walk into any operator store at Les 3 Fontaines. --- ## 2.3 French banks You need a French bank account for rent, CAF, your SIM card, and most things. The school has partner deals with 4 banks. Bank · Good for · Notes • BNP Paribas · partner, popular default · Free student account, easy English support
• Société Générale · partner · Free student account, big branch in Cergy
• LCL · partner · Free student account, decent app
• HSBC · International transfers · Good if you bank with HSBC at home --- • Crédit Agricole · Lots of branches · Less student-focused ### To open one, you need • Passport / titre de séjour
• Proof of address (school certificate or lease)
• enrollment certificate
• A small deposit (varies) --- ## 2.4 Online banks Faster than traditional banks. Open in days, sometimes minutes. Most students use ONE traditional + ONE online. Bank · Open in · Sign-up bonus · Best for • Revolut · 5 minutes · — · Day-1 IBAN, multi-currency
• Boursorama · 7 days · Up to €110 · Permanent French IBAN, free
• N26 · 10 minutes · — · Clean app, instant payments
• Wise · 1 day · — · Cheap international transfers --- OUR PICK — Revolut on day 1 so you can pay for things immediately. Boursorama for your permanent French IBAN — required for CAF. ## 2.5 CAF (APL housing aid) CAF gives you €100–200/month off your rent. Yes, free money from the French government. Apply as soon as you move in. ### You qualify if • Your lease is in your name
• You're not renting from a family member
• You'll live there
• You have a French bank account --- ### Documents to have ready • Passeport / titre de séjour
• French RIB
• Signed lease
• Rent receipt or attestation de loyer
• school certificate
• Birth certificate, translated into French if needed ### Step by step • 1. Move in. Get your attestation de loyer from your landlord.
• 2. Go to caf.fr → "Faire une demande" → "Le logement". --- • 3. Create your account with your social security number (or temp number).
• 4. Upload every document above. Save scans on your phone.
• 5. Submit. Wait 4–8 weeks.
• 6. First payment is retroactive to your move-in date. So apply ASAP. OUR PICK — Apply within your first month. Every week you delay is money you lose. --- ## 2.6 Lydia French Venmo. Every student has it. At you'll use Lydia constantly, for Foyz (the campus bar), sète tickets, BBQs, and splitting anything with your friends. Make sure it's set up before your first weekend out. ### Setup • 1. Download Lydia from the App Store / Play Store.
• 2. Sign up with your French phone number.
• 3. Link your French bank card.
• 4. Send money by typing someone's phone number. They get it instantly. --- ## 2.7 Auchan card Free loyalty card for Auchan in Les 3 Fontaines. Real discounts at checkout. Sign up the first time you go grocery shopping. ### How to get it • At the welcome desk in Auchan just give your name + address.
• Or online at auchan.fr. ### How to actually save money • Download the Auchan app most coupons are app-only. --- • Look for orange shelf tags: those products give you cash-back euros.
• Scan the card at checkout every time, or you lose the points.
• Use earned euros within 12 months or they expire.