How I can use Cell Phone in Paris

If your phone is unlocked, buy a SIM. You won't have your Canadian phone number, however, while the French SIM is in place.

I'm not sure what the Canadian laws are regarding locking of phones - but ask your carrier to unlock your phone if it is locked. "Unlocking" a phone means giving you a numeric code to type in the very first time you insert a new SIM and turn the phone on. After you type the code in once, you'll never need it again.

http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/France

And don't forget you can use your phone as a WiFi device if you have WiFi connection at your hotel --make sure data is OFF then turn setting for WiFi ON and connect as instructed by your hotel. You can email or WhatsApp or use internet on the hotel's dime.

It would help to know which cell network you're with?

All the Canadian networks have roaming plans and for limited use, the cost is fairly reasonable. Your phone does not have t be unlocked to use those roaming plans. You may want to check with your network to find out if your phone is unlocked, as that will provide additional options. For example, with an unlocked phone you can......

• use a SIM with one of the French networks. You'll be issued a French number and all the terms of your calling plan will change (ie: voice mail, etc.). Billing will be on a PAYG basis, so you'll have to be sure how to top-up when you've depleted your minutes. Menus will be in French so you may need help setting up the phone.
• use a SIM from one of the travel phone firms such as iRoam or Cellular Abroad. This will also have a new number, but the advantage is that you'll have a working phone as soon as you step off the plane. Payment is usually by credit card, so topping-up won't be necessary.

A bit of further information would be helpful, such as what you plan to use the phone for? You can use Wi-Fi at your hotel for internet access, so you'll need to consider whether you'll need data while you're out touring.

FWIW, I'm with Rogers and have been using their Roam Like Home plan for the past few years. It's a bit expensive but has worked extremely well. The current cost for that is $12 per day, to a maximum of 15 days charged per billing cycle, but only on the days that the phone is used. The maximum charge is $180 and for me that's insignificant in the overall cost of a European trip.

Good luck!

You can always buy a cheap phone there or bring an old unlocked phone.

I don’t use data. My phone is unlocked & Rogers charges me $.75 per text, $2 per call. Use Wifi when available plus downloaded offline maps. Works for us.

WiFi is available widely, so you can always use that. I always buy a SIM for my unlocked phone, then use only a fraction of the data I buy because I can use WiFi most of the time.

I've been reasonably happy with the Orange holiday card. It's for 14 days but you can add more time and data when the 14 days is up.

I've used SFR in the past. Last time, however, they said they only sell SIM cards through Tabacs rather than their boutiques. Personally, I won't pay for a SIM until it's in my phone and working. I've found the people at Tabacs are like 7/11 clerks, they really don't know any more about setting up a SIM card than I do.