Summary
Need to get online fast? Since international roaming 3G and 4G can be quite costly, numerous travelers opt out of using their phone data while abroad. Visit Paris to enjoy hundreds of free WiFi hotspots. Cafes, restaurants, and bars increasingly offer WiFi services, while the Paris municipal government has established free WiFi zones in parks, squares, public libraries, city-run museums, and various other locations. This provides an opportunity for visitors to connect, whether for a few minutes or a more extended period.
During the summer months, you might find people comfortably seated on chairs or benches at the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Jardin des Plantes with laptops on their laps, working or sharing their travel experiences on social media. In today’s digital age, this practice is widely accepted, so feel free to get connected!
Find Free Wifi
To quickly locate a free WiFi hotspot in Paris, look for the Wifi signal sign present in parks, gardens, squares, and around major tourist attractions.
The easiest method to find a municipal wifi network nearby is to first identify the Parisian arrondissement (district) you’re in. You can do this by observing a street sign on the nearest building; the arrondissement number will be indicated below the street name. Next, use ParisData to find networks in your area: if you’re in the 3rd arrondissement, search for wifi zones under “75003”; if you’re in the 13th arrondissement, narrow down listings under “75013,” and so forth.
How to Connect (In Designated Surfing Zones Only)
To access the Paris Municipal WiFi server, follow these straightforward steps:
- Ensure you’re in one of the city’s free WiFi zones and select the “PARIS_Wi-FI_” network from the available list on your device.
- A sign-up screen should pop up. If it doesn’t, launch your web browser and type in any web address.
- A prompt will appear (in French) asking you to accept the terms and conditions and provide some personal information. Check the box, complete the required details, then click “ME CONNECTOR”.
- You can surf the web for up to 2 hours. After this period, you’ll need to reconnect by following the same steps. Note that Paris city WiFi hotspots are only operational during the day.
Free Hotspots in Cafes, Bars, and Global Chains
For a handy list of private wifi connections outside the municipal network, including free hotspots in bars and cafes, there are several useful resources available.
Wifi Space’s map showcases hotspots throughout the city, providing a helpful breakdown of outdoor networks, cafe hotspots, and other location types. It also specifies whether a password is required for a given hotspot. Although it may not always be perfectly current, it remains an excellent resource.
Time Out Paris features some of the best cafes in the city to connect to wifi, where you can enjoy a beverage while catching up with email or planning your next adventures.
Additionally, check out Culture Trip, which highlights some of the most work-friendly cafes in the city, ideal for freelancers and professionals needing to plug in and catch up on work.
Moreover, several global chains, including McDonald’s and Starbucks, provide reliable free wifi at most of their locations in Paris. The Belgian fast-food chain Quick also generally offers free connections, including at its flagship location on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
