Internet connections, iPhone, Orange, laptops

Establishing an Internet connection in France takes time, patience, and, as always, euros.

A good deal is offered by Orange France Telecom, with the Livebox.

This includes Internet connection, an Internet telephone line, and a fairly broad TV selection, for 40 euros a month (30 euros if you also have a traditional phone landline).

The quality of the TV is not nearly as good as the FIOS option that Verizon offers in the United States, but, with a bit of patience, you can use it. It includes BBC, CNN, TV Española, and other international channels (German, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, etc.).

Bringing an iPhone proved a challenge, as neither AT&T, nor Apple, nor Orange, would unlock it (even though Orange is the official service provider for France). After many phone calls and visits to Orange, finally I was able to establish an official Orange account. But I would advise selling your iPhone in the U.S. (or elsewhere), and buying another one here, although here it costs more (400 euros, which as of today is more than 625 dollars).

On the other hand, I would strongly recommend bringing a lap-top, as they usually work with 220 volts, and they are much LESS expensive in the U.S. (or elsewhere). Also a very good purchase was a portable external hard drive.

Good luck!