When setting up a French bank account, I’d recommend going through HSBC. It’s really easy, especially if you’ve already got an account with them. I tried to set one up from England before I moved over there but you have to pay about £100 admin charges. You should wait until you’ve moved over there in September or October and just go into one of the HSBC branches. You may need some or all of the following: ID (passport), a French translation of your birth certificate, proof of residence in Paris (rental contract of letter from your landlord), National Insurance number. Your card and account details would be sent to you in Paris within 5 working days.