When I'm in Paris

One of the most popular (and most-requested services) in Paris apartment rentals today is Broadband DSL (high-speed Internet access) and WiFi.

(Internet access is available, and comes free, in most apartments.)

And one of the most popular questions visitors have is, “How do Paris phone numbers work?”

(And yet another question many apartment renters at various agencies have is: “Why are there unexpected charges on my phone bill?”)

As all of these questions are all somewhat related by topic, Welcome2France offers a brief guide:

Paris Numbers (and Bills!)

When you see a phone number is Paris printed, chances are it appears one of two ways:

International: +33 6 12 34 56 78
Within Paris: 06 12 23 56 78

INTERNATIONAL
When dialing a number in Paris from another country, you start with France’s International Calling Code, which is “33.” One then OMITS the “zero” to dial the number.

I.e.: +33 6 12 34 56 78

WHEN IN FRANCE
When WITHIN France, one ADDS the “0″ and OMITS the international code.

I.e.: 06 12 23 56 78

CELL PHONES = “06″
Note something else very important with the above number. The number begins with “06,” meaning this is a French cell phone.

PHONE CHARGES – “06″ = BEWARE
Realizing when a number in France is a cell phone (i.e., beginning with “06″) can be very important in terms of your phone bill. Many (though not all) apartments have phone service that includes a large number of, or even unlimited calls to, U.S. cell phones and landlines, and to French and European landlines. European and French cell phones, however, are another matter entirely.

As French citizens have known for some time, landline calls to European cell phones can be very costly. If you’re using a phone from a short term apartment rental in Paris, chances are excellent these charges will end up on your apartment phone bill at the end of a stay. So it pays to know when the number you’re calling is a cell phone. So look for the “06″!

CALLING “06″

To call French cell phones, we recommend buying a phone card at a local Tabac (tobacconist). This is usually your best and most affordable option. You can use the apartment phone for other calls (Don’t be afraid to ask what your particular apartment’s phone package includes.)

Internet in Paris

Most apartments come with a fast-access Internet connection for your laptop. (And in many cases, the connection will take the form of a WiFi signal, so you can connect more than one computer wirelessly.)

Although Paris is well-known for its ever-growing Internet network, all apartment renters should be aware that, as in many European countries, the Internet is subject to blackouts and down-times. So while interruption is not expected, visitors should be aware it is a possibility. If you find you have any connectivity issues, you can be sure Welcome2France will first investigate whether there is an issue with any of the hardware and do everything possible to restore it. But in rare instances, certain connectivity issues that have to do with building-wide maintenance or regional issues, cannot be controlled by any agency. So while ultimately Welcome2France can only guarantee the state of the apartment in general, and not issues outside its control, you can be sure Welcome2France will do everything in its power to correct a connectivity problem to every extent possible.

WEB CAFÉS

Paris has a wealth of cyber cafés to choose from. So in the very rare instance an unsolvable connectivity problem is found (for example, due to a sudden building- or apartment-wide outage), there are always Internet coffee shops for that all-important email.

But while you’re in Paris, don’t spend too much time online! After all, Paris is all around you to be explored. And when you’re taking life easy at a more relaxed gait, you’d be surprised to find how many things can wait.