The top 10 apps to download when living in France

Almost a year into my time in Paris, my iPhone’s home screen has seen quite a few new additions. Note that some of these apps are only available in the France app store (or Google Play for Android devices). Without further ado, let’s dive into the top 10 apps that I recommend for la vie en France.

10. Airline apps

I like to download apps for all the airlines I use because I find that it simplifies the travel experience. With most airline apps, you can purchase tickets, receive your digital boarding pass, get flight status updates, and earn member points. Even though I don’t fly enough to achieve special status, it is still a better experience than having to keep track of receipts and boarding passes in my email inbox.

9. Carrefour

Carrefour is probably the most recognizably French supermarket chain in the world. It has locations across the country, ranging from convenience stores to large hypermarchés. Getting the app and scanning your code during checkout will allow you to receive cashback, member prices, and digital receipts. All that said, Carrefour is not necessarily the best or the cheapest for everything. Franprix, Monoprix, Auchan, and Lidl are popular too and they likely have their own loyalty programs. The choice just depends on your needs, location, and budget.

8. Leboncoin

Le Bon Coin is a popular online marketplace for second hand (and sometimes new) products. If you have the patience to scroll a bit, you might be able to find some good deals. Anyone can list items on the platform, so do some basic diligence before giving money over to a seller.

7. Booking.com

Booking.com is a third party platform for booking accommodations, flights, and transportation. I have only ever used it to book accommodations, and the experiences have been good so far. Many hotels and hostels are exclusively on booking.com if they don’t have their own booking system. Since I prefer to take just weekend trips or short trips to other cities, this option makes more sense than Airbnb, which charges a flat cleaning fee regardless of duration of stay.

6. Meetup

A long time favourite app for those who are looking to make new friends who share common interests or backgrounds. With Meetup, you can find expat groups, hobby groups, language groups, and more. Anyone can join a Meetup group of course, but anyone can also create their own if they don’t find what they’re looking for.

5. TheFork

TheFork, formerly known as LaFourchette, is the easiest way to discover restaurants and make reservations. You accumulate points that can be redeemed for rewards. Many restaurants on the platform also offer promotions, some for up to 50% off the menu price. I once ate at a delicious Korean restaurant in Paris with a friend. When we learned everything was half off, it all tasted even better.

4. WordReference

This is my go to English-French dictionary. It’s effective, no frills, and hasn’t disappointed me even after years of use. Translations usually come with example sentences and even indicate when some French words are more commonly used in Canada or Belgium than in France. The app also translates to and from many other languages.

3. SNCF Connect

SNCF Connect is the app to use if you’re planning to travel around France by train. Some trains even go directly to other countries, including to Belgium, Switzerland, and England. In the app you can check prices, buy tickets, and get special offers. Book ahead, because prices follow demand and supply.

2. Wise

Wise is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Users of Wise receive a physical debit can that can hold balances in more than 40+ currencies. Each account also has routing and account numbers, so you can even set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients, such as a friend or your landlord. You can register in your home country or in France.

1. Whatsapp

The king of apps, Whatsapp is absolutely essential for communication in France and Europe. Communication via Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and SMS texts is much rarer than you might be used to. If someone gives their phone number to you, there is a good chance they expect you to add them on Whatsapp, not to text them directly. This app is completely free and registration requires just a valid phone number from any country. Once you have an account, you can freely call and message anyone in the world who also has a Whatsapp account, even if you end up deactivating the sim card associated with your sign-up number.

Apps that are specific to the Paris region (Île-de-France)

Paris is not France and France is not Paris. But for those who do choose to live in Paris or its surrounding communes, here are a few of the must-haves to make your life easier.

Bonjour RATP

RATP is the organization responsible for all public transportation within the Paris region. The app is great for seeing the status of metros and trains. Delays and disturbances to service are indicated in real time. There are also detailed maps of routes for all lines of transport.

Île-de-France Mobilités

The Île-de-France Mobilités app allows users to reload their monthly Navigo commuter card, saving them a visit to the ticket window at a metro station. It’s also possible to do so in the RATP app, but the advantage of IDF Mobilités is that the purchase of the pass is accompanied by a receipt that has the pass holder’s name on it. This feature is thereful useful for anyone who needs to present a valid receipt to be reimbursed for a percentage of their monthly pass.

Vélib

Vélib is a portmanteau of the words vélo (bike) and libre (free). As you might guess, it is a bikeshare service. They have electric and normal bikes throughout the city. You can select from a number of plans depending on your planned usage. I’m not a frequent user so I chose the $0/month plan and simply pay by distance. The rates are very reasonable; the last time I rode, I took a normal bike for 1h9m and paid only 3 euros.

Citymapper

Many Franciliens (aka residents of the Paris region) swear by Citymapper, they say it is more accurate than Google Maps with regards to public transportation routes. Even though I haven’t developed the habit of using it regularly yet, it’s certainly worth giving it a shot. Citymapper specializes in only a few major cities around the world, so it is very possible that their targeted service is highly reliable.