Fibre Internet in France

Fibre broadband is a type of high-speed internet which uses fibre optic cables rather than copper cables to transfer the connection.

In order to have Fibre Broadband internet in France, the property must be linked by France Telecom and on their system. France Telecom is ‘Orange’, and there are many service providers to choose from for fibre, but France Telecom has the responsibility for the major cables and any necessary repair work. Orange has an English-speaking helpline which may help to sway the decision of some.

The property needs to have or be eligible for Fibre – ask at your local Mairie or use this link to find out if fibre is available in your area.

If you cannot have fibre, ADSL may be possible. You can find this out by using this link. Put in your postcode and commune, and you can see where the 4G antennas are in your area.

If you need a fast internet connection for your work, it is wise to thoroughly research the internet capabilities of your area before you purchase a property. Some areas may not have any connection, some areas may still only have an ASDL connection, and the speeds may differ widely from what you have been used to in your home country.

Before choosing the type of internet you need, there are many things to consider. Some of the questions you may want to ask your chosen provider are these:

• What is the monthly cost?
• What is the best internet speed?
• Is there a connection fee?
• What is the data allowance?
• How long will it take to connect?
• Are there any hidden or additional costs?
• Do they have an English-speaking helpline?

Which internet providers offer fibre in France?

The main four providers are Orange, Free, SFR and Bouygues (Sosh from Orange and Red from SFR are also worthy of consideration). Most providers insist you are with them exclusively for at least one year, but some are now offering no commitment deals.

To find out what fibre deals are available at your particular address, you can search each of the main providers using the links below.

FREE

ORANGE

SFR

BOUYGUES

Protect your internet connection and home appliances

In order to protect any of your devices from power surges or lightning strikes which are common throughout France, especially in rural areas, you can ask an electrician to fit an anti-lightning/surge protector to your mains board, or you can buy extension leads, and plugs with are “protection anti-foudre” and connect your devices to those.

Read our full article on Choosing a Wi-Fi or Internet Provider in France

Happy surfing!

From shopping at the supermarket to sending a parcel at Post Office, finding your local dechetterie to who to call in an emergency—FrenchEntrée is here to help with every aspect of day-to-day living in France. Read our Essential Reading guides for advice on living in France, visit our Shopping zone or Pets zone, or brush up your language skills with our handy learning French resources.