Free wifi in Paris is decent but data roaming still worth it for Métro navigation and Google Translate on bistro menus.

SIM cards: Orange Holiday Europe — €39.99 for 30 days, 20GB data, works across EU. Buy at CDG airport or any Orange store near République or Châtelet. Lebara and Lycamobile cheaper but spottier coverage in Métro tunnels between Bastille and République.

Free wifi hotspots: All parks (Luxembourg, Tuileries) have free wifi. McDonald's on Champs-Élysées, Starbucks obvious but also Monoprix and Franprix supermarkets. Many bus stops along Boulevard Saint-Germain have wifi now though speeds vary.

Avoid: Hotel wifi often terrible and expensive in Marais boutique hotels. Café wifi usually requires purchase and is slow during peak hours around Latin Quarter.

Best option: Get Orange SIM at CDG when you land. €40 for month of worry-free connectivity worth it vs hunting for wifi constantly around République and dealing with captive portals.