The Alfred Kastler Foundation has established a very interresting document about the French banking system
When you'll arrive in France, you will need to go to your bank as soon as possible to formalize the opening of the account with your signature. This service is offered free of charge if you have the Guest Researcher Card of Kastler Foundation, which we strongly recommend you request.
To open an account at Société Générale, you just have to fill the form in the web site of Kastler Foundation: http://www.fnak.fr/dn_open_bank_account_france/
To open a bank account in France
To open a bank account, we suggest you to benefit from the offer of Kastler Foundation: Société Générale bank and the Kastler Foundation have formed a partnership for the purpose of offering foreign researchers and scientists that France welcomes each year a simple and quick solution for opening a bank account in France. PhD students can also have access to this offer.When you'll arrive in France, you will need to go to your bank as soon as possible to formalize the opening of the account with your signature. This service is offered free of charge if you have the Guest Researcher Card of Kastler Foundation, which we strongly recommend you request.
To open an account at Société Générale, you just have to fill the form in the web site of Kastler Foundation: http://www.fnak.fr/dn_open_bank_account_france/
