Hello, the newbie and spouse have arrived back in France. So glad ! Does anyone have any experience with new phone service ? We are looking for a house and are in process of getting an international bank account. We don’t qualify for a contract with Orange at this time but can get a phone and SIM card. We bought a phone and card today. 6 hours later we still don’t have a phone number. Is this normal ? We can’t buy necessary stamps to register our visas without a phone number. Can anyone please help ?
Where did you buy the SIM? It should be pretty much instantaneous
I got it through Orange store when I bought the phone. I can return tomorrow with the phone and receipt. I have no previous experience with this process. It does seem weird that it should take so long.
Welcome. Good to have you here. 
Just to warn you, the early months of sorting stuff out can be daunting and the bureaucracy can be very Kafka-esque. I promise you will come out the other end. In the meantime, keep posting and people will offer support and help.
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Yes. Get them to sort it on the spot. If its a contractless SIM it should be virtually instantaneous
We found it depended on the competence of the person in the shop (and how much English s/he spoke, since Madame’s phone was set up in English). We are with Bouyges.
There was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing with the downloading of the appli, setting it up, receiving codes …
Irrespective of that, it’s their responsibility to fix it. Arm yourself with some useful phrases and terminology and go in with the mindset that they really want to help you.
Sometimes you have to switch the phone off for a bit then on again whilst it registers ln the network. Just a thought
Hello everyone,
I did return to Orange this morning and was given a number. I committed the worst sin! I went in before I had had my coffee and forgot to say “Bonjour” before I addressed the problem! I will never again go out in public in the morning without my morning dose of caffeine.
Does anyone know if I can buy the fiscal stamp for my visa at the tobacco shop? I spent an hour on the phone trying to get my visa card accepted on the government website. Declined 3 times. Our cards were cleared for travel by the company.
Yes, SuePJ, you are right about the bureaucracy! It takes talent to bring it to such a high level!
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I thought about that too. I was destined for a return visit.
I found it easier just to accept that things are done differently here. Wine is cheaper because there are more vines (than in the UK); there is more paperwork because there are more trees.
And we have met nothing but friendliness and eagerness to help, apart from a single glaring exception.
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Well put! I am learning to ask questions and find ways around the obstacles. Thank you for your wise words.
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Using this idea from one of the FB expat groups, for my mobile line:
Bonjour, je ne parle pas encore bien français. Veuillez m’envoyer un SMS à ce numéro ou un e-mail. Si vous laissez un message vocal, veuillez parler lentement et répéter votre message. Je vous répondrai rapidement. Merci!
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A Cunning Plan!
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Thank you. We are « learning how to swim «
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Yes, tabacs sell timbres fiscale
Thank you 
‘ Kafka-esque ’. This has to be one of my favourite quotes! I am going to put it to work immediately! 
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When you get really frustrated, you will be tempted to drop the f from Kafkaesque 
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