According to the Orange website Mobicarte brochure, http://mobile.orange.fr/0/visiteur/P...eterligne.html, "On the activation of your line, you will benefit from a credit of €4.5 for calling +10 SMS + 100 Kb/10 min of access to Orange World" (some sort of web access).

I would definitely add to this amount with a recharge card.

I suggest you read this brochure in advance. See page 6 for the nine different kinds of recharges.

The latest tarrif of Mobicarte is at http://mobile.orange.fr/0/visiteur/P...eterligne.html

If you would like to call Orange in advance and ASK for some information, the number from the United States is 011 33 6 07 62 64 64.

Please keep in mind that in the past U.S. carriers have surcharged calls to European cellphone numbers and any number in France beginning with area code (06) is a cellular number. I DO NOT KNOW if these surcharges are still in effect.

Also, I always point out to my French friends that the true purpose of Orange Customer Service is that THEY MAKE VERIZON LOOK GOOD.

Bonne chance!