Getting a Telephone Connection
Find out how to get your new home connected to the landline telephone service in France...
Orange (formerly France Telecom) is currently
the only operator which can install or reactivate fixed landlines. Even if
choosing another operator for the fixed landline services, it is necessary to
subscribe to rent the phone line from Orange. A number of telecom companies
provide home telephone services that includes telephone, Internet and digital
television. Prices vary from one company to another and depend on the chosen
package. In most cases it is possible to subscribe online, by telephone or at a
customer service center or shop. Other landline providers include:
- SFR is cable
television and internet provider that also offers fixed line phone
services.
- Free offers fixed,
mobile and Internet services with low rates for international calls.
- Bouygues Télécom large
telephone and Internet provider in France
Orange English-speaking Service
Orange has an
English-speaking customer service helpline.
- Tel (from
France): 0800 05 1010
- Tel (from
abroad): 0033 800 05 1010
- Press 1 for
Technical support
- Press 2 for
Commercial support including registration, invoices, billing queries,
line activation, changing personal details and moving home queries
- The Orange website has
comprehensive information in English on its products and services
Getting Connected: Telephone
To have a domestic landline telephone installed, connected or reconnected, apply at the local
Orange office or Freecall: 0800 05 1010
Find a local agency at the Orange site
When requesting a line installation or
connection the following are required:
- Proof of
identification
- Proof of
address: a recent electricity bill, a tax bill or a rental contract
If a property has a line already installed, the
account can be transferred to the name of the new occupant and re-connection
can be arranged. Bills (factures) include VAT (TVA), and are
sent every two months. They can be paid by direct debit, by cheque, by credit
card, TIP (Titre Interbancaire de
Paiement) or online.
Registration for online payments requires the Orange client number (printed at
the top of an invoice) and a RIB.
- Orange
provide a complete guide of the fees for
landline service (in French)
Second Home in France
A landline telephone
service in a second property or holiday home (résidence secondaire) can be made temporarily dormant in times of absence.
Temporary line suspension
In order to qualify for
the second home line service (service
ligne résidence secondaire) it is essential to:
- Have a
permanent subscription (Abonnement
Principal)
- Provide
evidence that it is a second home (this can be done with an insurance contract
or tax document indicating the main address, or through proof of residence
abroad)
A request is made for temporary suspension of
the line, by calling 3000. There is a fee to suspend the line, but it is free
to activate it again. The service can be suspended for one to 12 months. Calls
can be forwarded overseas.
- To deactivate
or reactivate the service, Tel:
3000
- Orange have
more details about reactivation
and deactivation
- Information
on call
forwarding (in French)
Handy Numbers
Service | Call |
---|---|
Orange English-speaking customer service | Tel: 09 69 36 39 00 |
Call centre open daily, 24 hours a day (24/7) | Tel: 3900 |
Call centre, calling from outside France | Tel: +33 09 69 36 39 00 |
After sales service | Tel: 1013 |
Customer service | Tel: 1014 |
Technical assistance for residential lines (24/7) | Tel: 3900 |
Technical assistance for business lines (24/7) | Tel: 3901 |
Call return (the last number to call your phone) | Tel: 3131 |
Orange voicemail | Tel: 3103 Website |
To call out of France dial exit code | 00 followed by country code and number |
To call into France dial entry code | 33 followed by French number excluding 0 |
Telephone Directories
Every year the Yellow Pages (Pages Jaunes) directory of businesses and the
White Pages (Pages Blanches) directory of private numbers are issued by the
post office. In most regions these phone books are delivered door-to-door. The
directories are organised alphabetically by town/village name. To use the
directories, find the appropriate town in the directory first, and then look
for the name or service in that town.
Online directories
- Use
the Yellow Pages to find businesses and services: Pages Jaunes
- To find
private numbers or addresses use the Pages Blanches
Being unlisted or ex-directory
There are two
ex-directory/unlisted options which can be subscribed to. Both are free
services and registration can be made online by entering the relevant number,
along with an email address and contact telephone number.
- The Liste Rouge removes
all details of a subscriber's telephone number from the directories issued
by Orange, both printed and online. Additionally the telephone number will
not be disclosed by telephone number services.