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Which Internet option is best for your second home in France?
The right solution depends on how often you visit and what you use the internet for. Here's a quick guide to help you choose:
| Your situation | Best option | Average price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 A few weeks per year | WiFi dongle or prepaid SIM | From €3/day or €15–€30/month + dongle | Pay only when you're there, no monthly bill in winter |
| 🗓️ 2–4 months per year | 5G home box, no contract | €26–€45/month | Fast, flexible, cancel any time, no installation |
| 🏡 5+ months or remote work | No-contract fibre broadband | €22–€30/month | Best speeds, most affordable per month, cancel freely |
| 🌿 Rural or mountain property | Satellite internet (Starlink, Nordnet) | €24–€45/month + equipment (up to €300) | Works anywhere, even without fibre or 4G coverage |
Can I pause or suspend my internet in France for a second home?
This is one of the most common questions from second home owners, and the honest answer is: no French operator offers a true "pause" on broadband contracts. But there are several practical workarounds that work just as well, or better.
| Option | How flexible is it? | Activation fee on return? |
|---|---|---|
| 5G box (no contract) | ✅ Cancel any time, re-subscribe when you return | None with most operators |
| WiFi dongle / prepaid SIM | ✅ Fully pay-as-you-go, no monthly bill when absent | None |
| No-contract fibre (RED, Sosh, B&You) | ⚠️ Cancel any time but fixed termination fee ~€50–60 apply | ~€40-50 re-subscription fees often waived on current offers |
| 12-month fibre contract | ❌ Fixed termination fee + early termination fees if you cancel before the end of the contract | ~€40-50 re-subscription fees often waived on current offers |
👉 Our recommendation: if you visit France less than 6 months a year, a 5G home box with no contract is the most practical option. Fast, no installation, and you can cancel and restart it freely without penalties or activation fees.
Orange offers a Ligne Résidence Secondaire: a suspendable fixed phone line designed for second homes. Each suspension costs a one-off fee of €5.99: you pay nothing while the line is dormant. Reactivation is free. Note: maximum 6 suspensions per 12-month period, minimum 1 month per suspension.
Best broadband plans in France for second homes (no contract)
If you have fibre access in your French second home, you're in luck: it's now the fastest, most stable and most affordable Internet option available. Most providers offer fibre deals with no long-term contract, making it easy to activate and cancel depending on how often you use your home.
Fibre broadband is ideal for streaming, working remotely, or keeping the family connected during your stays. You can usually expect download speeds between 1 Gb/s and 8 Gb/s, depending on the provider. If fibre isn't yet available in your area, you can still get connected via ADSL, but note that the copper network is being gradually phased out across France by 2030.
Here's why no-contract fibre works so well for second homes:
- Flexibility: activate or cancel whenever you like, no 12-month tie-in
- High-speed connection: perfect for streaming, video calls, and smart devices
- Affordable prices: many deals under €25/month
- Easy setup: most providers send a self-install kit if your home is already fibre-ready
👉 Important: You don't need a landline to subscribe to a fibre plan. Unlike ADSL which uses old copper phone lines, fibre optics is a separate technology. See our guide: how to get internet without a landline in France.
In France, fibre is now available to 92.6% of households (ARCEP, 2025) and expanding quickly, including in many rural areas. Check your address with our tool below to see if your property is eligible.
See what's available at your door
We check fibre, VDSL, 4G/5G box and satellite across every operator — instantly.
Free · no sign-up · live ARCEP data
Double-check the number and postcode, or start typing to see suggestions. You can also call an adviser and we'll check it together.
* Promotional price for the first months. Regular price may apply thereafter.
5G boxes for your second home in France
If your second home isn't eligible for fibre yet, a 5G Home Box is the best alternative, and arguably the most practical option for seasonal use. It works like traditional broadband but connects through the mobile network instead of a phone line. Installation takes a matter of minutes: plug in the box and you're online.
5G Home Boxes deliver download speeds often up to 1.5 Gb/s, close to fibre quality. And because most offers have no contract and no installation fee, you can cancel freely when you leave and restart when you return. All major French operators offer a 5G box (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free and RED by SFR).
Here's why a 5G Home Box works especially well for second homes:
- Fast speeds: up to 1.5 Gb/s, ideal for streaming and video calls
- Zero installation: no landline or technician needed, plug & play
- No commitment: cancel your Internet plan when you leave, restart when you return
- Available nationwide: works even where fibre isn't yet deployed
For best performance, place your 5G box near a window or balcony facing your nearest cell tower. Check coverage at your second home address on your provider's website before subscribing, signal quality varies significantly in rural areas.
Non-exhaustive selection of offers, sorted by ascending price. Learn more about our scoring methodology
Getting Internet in your second home with a WiFi dongle in France
If your visits are occasional (a long weekend here, two weeks in summer) a WiFi dongle or pocket hotspot is the most cost-effective solution. The concept is simple: buy a portable device, insert a French SIM card, and connect your devices to its WiFi network. No fixed line, no engineer visit, no monthly standing charge when you're back home.
Major French operators (Orange, SFR, Bouygues) all offer dongle or pocket WiFi plans with flexible data options: some are day-rate, some monthly with no long-term commitment.
Key things to check before choosing:
- Mobile coverage at your property: walls, rural location and distance to cell towers affect speed significantly. Check the operator's coverage map first.
- Your data usage: streaming and video calls drain data fast; dongles have smaller allowances than home broadband.
- Contract length: opt for a no-commitment plan so you're not billed during months you're not at your second home.
Non-exhaustive selection of offers, sorted by ascending price. Learn more about our scoring methodology. Note: Bouygues 4G key plan requires a 12-month commitment.
How to get Internet by Satellite for a countryside house in France?
If your French second home is tucked away in the countryside, perhaps in the mountains, deep in rural Brittany or Provence, chances are that fibre or 5G isn't available yet. In that case, satellite Internet is your best option to stay connected. It works via a dish installed on your roof or in your garden that communicates directly with a satellite orbiting the Earth.
Modern satellite offers like Starlink, Nordnet, or Bigblu now provide speeds of 100 to 250 Mb/s download, enough for streaming, video calls and smart home devices. The main downsides are a higher equipment cost (up to €300 for the kit) and potential latency (a slight delay), but for many remote properties it's the only viable option for a stable connection.
Installation is straightforward: order the kit online, mount the antenna yourself (or hire a technician), and connect the router. Most satellite plans are no-contract, making them a great fit for seasonal use.
- Available everywhere: no fibre or mobile coverage required
- High speeds: now comparable to 4G or entry-level fibre
- Flexible offers: most plans are no-contract
- Simple installation: kit delivered ready to set up yourself
You'll need a clear view of the sky for stable satellite connectivity. Trees, hills or overhanging roofs can block the signal. Starlink's app helps you find the ideal installation spot at your property before you order.
Non-exhaustive selection of offers, sorted by ascending price. Learn more about our scoring methodology
Getting internet in France as a UK holiday homeowner
If you're a UK national with a second home in France, the process for getting connected is the same as for any other foreign national, but there are a few practical points worth knowing before you subscribe.
What do you need to subscribe to a French internet plan?
- A French address: your second home's address is sufficient, you don't need to be a French resident.
- A French IBAN (bank account): most operators require a French bank account for monthly direct debit.
- A valid ID: passport or residence permit.
- A contact phone number: a French number is preferable but not always mandatory. Ask our team about options.
Since Brexit, UK SIM cards are no longer guaranteed free EU roaming. Many UK operators still include some EU roaming data, but allowances are often capped and speeds can be throttled for extended use. Check your provider's roaming policy before relying on your UK SIM for your entire stay. For stays of more than a week or two, a French plan will almost always work out cheaper.
👉 Our English-speaking advisors regularly help UK nationals set up internet contracts at their French properties. We handle the paperwork, deal with the operators in French, and find the right plan for how you use your home. Request a free callback or call us directly.
How to save money on Internet for your second home in France
If you only spend a few months per year at your French property, paying for a year-round Internet plan can feel wasteful. Here are the most effective ways to keep costs down without sacrificing connectivity.
The simplest approach is to choose a no-contract plan that you can cancel freely. RED by SFR, Sosh and B&You (Bouygues) all offer no-contract fibre from around €22–25/month. For even more flexibility, a prepaid SIM + WiFi dongle means you only pay when you're actually at the house.
Other ways to reduce the bill:
- Skip the TV and landline bundles: internet-only plans are significantly cheaper and most second home owners don't need 200 TV channels
- Switch providers when your promo rate ends: introductory offers typically last 12 months, after which prices rise. Your new operator usually handles the cancellation of your old plan. See all current offers on our internet in France guide.
- Cancel during low-use periods: with a no-contract plan, you can stop paying between visits
- Ask about loyalty discounts: if you've been with a provider for a while, calling to negotiate is often worth it
When you switch providers in France, the new operator typically handles the cancellation of your previous subscription and may even reimburse any early termination fees on your old plan. This makes switching cheaper and easier than most people expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pause or suspend my internet contract in France for my second home? Read more Close
No French operator currently offers a true "pause" on broadband subscriptions. However, there are practical alternatives: a 5G home box or WiFi dongle with no contract can be cancelled any time and restarted when you return. No-contract fibre plans (RED by SFR, Sosh, B&You) can also be cancelled freely, but fixed termination fee apply when cancelling (~€40–50); re-subscription fees are often waived on current offers. For most seasonal users, a 5G box is the most cost-effective flexible option.
Do I need a French phone number to subscribe to internet in France? Read more Close
Not necessarily. Many operators accept a foreign number for the subscription process. Notably, EU nationals can subscribe to Orange's internet plans through Selectra using a non-French EU number, an option not available if you go directly to Orange. UK nationals or non-EU residents should contact our advisors to find the most suitable approach for their situation.
Do I need a French bank account to get internet in France? Read more Close
Most French internet operators require a French IBAN for monthly direct debit. Prepaid WiFi dongles and SIM cards can often be purchased without a French bank account.
How long does it take to get internet set up in a French second home? Read more Close
It depends on the type of connection: a 5G home box or WiFi dongle is active within minutes of plugging it in, no waiting required. No-contract fibre typically takes 1–2 weeks if your property is already connected to the fibre network (a technician visit may be needed to activate the line). Satellite internet requires installation of a dish, which you can do yourself or have a technician install, generally a few days from delivery.
Is fibre broadband available in rural France? Read more Close
Fibre now covers 92.6% of French households (ARCEP, 2025) and continues to expand rapidly, including in many rural areas. However, coverage in remote villages, mountain areas or the deep countryside can still be limited. Use the eligibility checker above to verify availability at your specific address. If fibre isn't available, a 5G box or satellite internet are the most effective alternatives.
Can I get internet in France without a landline phone? Read more Close
Yes. Fibre broadband, 5G boxes, WiFi dongles and satellite internet all work without a fixed phone line. Only ADSL requires the old copper telephone network, and that technology is being phased out in France by 2030. See our full guide: how to get internet without a landline in France.