Before you start

Valid passport (and titre de séjour / visa for non-EU nationals, though neobanks accept passport alone)
A residential address — French or any EU address works for online/neobanks; traditional banks want a justificatif de domicile dated within 3 months
A French mobile number and email help (some neobank KYC and traditional banks expect a French number for SMS/2FA)

Step-by-step

1
Open a neobank/online account first for an instant IBAN + RIB
Download N26 or Revolut (instant signup) or apply to Boursorama/Hello bank!/Fortuneo. Verify identity by video/selfie + passport. N26 issues a German IBAN (DE..), Revolut an EU IBAN, Boursorama a French (FR..) one. Within minutes to a day you can download your RIB as a PDF — this unlocks the lease and salary setup.
Mobile appWho: You (self-service)Minutes (N26/Revolut) to a few days (Boursorama identity review)€0 to open; N26/Revolut/Boursorama have free or fee-free standard plans
2
Get your justificatif de domicile, then approach a traditional bank
Once you've signed a lease or have a utility/internet bill (or an attestation d'hébergement + host's ID if you live with someone), book an appointment (rendez-vous) at BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, LCL or La Banque Postale. Bring all documents. The adviser opens the account; the debit card and definitive RIB arrive by post days later.
In personWho: You + a bank adviser (conseiller)1 appointment, then ~3-14 days for card/RIB by mailMonthly frais de tenue de compte + card fee, typically ~€2-10/month combined
3
Provide your RIB everywhere it's needed
Hand your RIB to your employer (salary), landlord (rent), and utilities/phone providers to set up prélèvement automatique (SEPA direct debit). The RIB shows your IBAN + BIC; under SEPA, an EU IBAN must be accepted — refusing it ('IBAN discrimination') is illegal, so an N26/Revolut IBAN is legally fine even if a clerk hesitates.
OnlineWho: You (share PDF/photo of the RIB)Same day once the account is openFree
4
If refused, invoke the droit au compte via the Banque de France
If a bank refuses to open an account, ask for a written lettre de refus. Take it (plus ID and proof of address) to the Banque de France, which will designate a bank obliged to open a free basic account (services bancaires de base) for you. This is a legal right under the Code monétaire et financier.
In personWho: You → Banque de France → designated bankBanque de France designates a bank within ~1 business day; account opened within ~3 business daysFree (services bancaires de base are provided at no charge)

Documents you’ll need

Passport (pièce d'identité)
Visa or titre de séjour / VLS-TS for non-EU nationals (neobanks often accept passport only)
Justificatif de domicile — utility/internet bill, lease, or attestation d'hébergement + host's ID and proof of address (dated within 3 months; usually waived by neobanks)
Proof of income or student/employment status (justificatif de revenus) — sometimes requested by traditional banks
Tax residency info / US tax forms (W-9) for FATCA if you are a US person; many neobanks restrict US citizens

Things most newcomers don’t know

Open a neobank/online account before you arrive or on day one — the RIB it produces is what breaks the lease-vs-bank deadlock.

French leases, salary, and utilities all run on prélèvement (SEPA direct debit) keyed to a RIB, but traditional banks demand proof of address you can't get without housing. N26/Revolut/Boursorama issue an IBAN remotely with just a passport, so you get a working RIB first.

Source: N26 / Revolut / Boursorama account-opening pages

An EU IBAN (e.g. N26's DE.. or Revolut's LT..) must legally be accepted for salary and rent — refusing it is illegal 'IBAN discrimination'.

SEPA Regulation (EU) 260/2012 forbids requiring a national IBAN for euro payments. Some landlords/employers still prefer a French FR.. IBAN out of habit, so Boursorama (French IBAN, often rated cheapest) avoids friction if a clerk pushes back.

Source: SEPA Regulation (EU) No 260/2012; Banque de France

If two banks refuse you, don't keep shopping — trigger the droit au compte at the Banque de France.

Banks can decline at their discretion, but everyone legally residing in the EU has a right to a basic French account. A written refusal letter lets the Banque de France designate a bank that must open one for free.

Source: Banque de France — droit au compte; Code monétaire et financier (Art. L312-1)

Common mistakes to avoid

Showing up at a branch with no justificatif de domicile — without a lease or utility bill, a traditional bank will turn you away; sort the neobank/RIB first
Assuming English service: branch advisers' English is variable; central-Paris and expat-focused branches are safer, or bring a French-speaking friend
Ignoring monthly fees — frais de tenue de compte plus card and 'package' (offre groupée) fees add up; online banks like Boursorama/Fortuneo are usually far cheaper than the big five
US citizens: FATCA reporting makes many neobanks and some traditional banks reluctant to onboard you — expect to sign a W-9 and have fewer options
Letting a non-French EU IBAN be refused — that's unlawful; push back citing SEPA, or use a French-IBAN provider (Boursorama, La Banque Postale) to avoid the argument

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.