I'm sure this thread will be moved but I'm not a mod so I'll respond. Get yourself a cheap, used GSM (quad band) phone and then buy a prepaid SIM card in France. Sure, calling the USA will still be very expensive (maybe even $1.50 or so a minute) but incoming calls are free.
Alternatively, get a Skype account or a Vonage USB phone and pay for high speed at the hotels - free / cheap calls from your laptop.