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Hello,
Opening a bank account in France is frustrating at the best of times (the same applies to stuff like social security, utilities, internet...). Usually they need identity documents + visas (do bring original copies of your birth certificate too; you'll definitely need it at some point in time even if the bank doesn't) and most importantly a fixed address. As long as these arethe required documents are in order it should go well (might take a while though, e.g. 1 week for your bank card to arrive by post, ~2 weeks for e-banking to get activated). Do prepare for these with sufficient cash and credit cards (preferably visa; france rarely takes Amex) for the few transitory weeks.

HSBC does have a few branches in the city centre so if you can get it done in Australia before going it might be a good idea. Be sure to check that it is indeed a French bank account that gives you a French debit card "carte bleue" compatible with the local system. Otherwise, any of the big names (BNP, LCL,...) should give reasonable deals (with fees around 10€ a month) with no significant difference between them.

Good luck! ZK

Thanks for the tips southpaw! Ill be sure to take them on board, especially as i wasn't planning on my birth cert. your advice has made me rethink things. Have a good one!

i've just moved to France ... trying to open a bank account.  Is there an online bank that does not require a cheque signed in your name to open an account.  Also, when I'm in South Africa, how do I operate an online bank account. How do I get the one time pin, which normally comes by cellphone, to make a payment

Thanks
Robert

Hello guys, try BNP Paribas, I went with them in the end and they have a branch dedicated to expat accounts, in Lyon anyway, as for mobile, you need a French one, try Luca mobile prepaid , very easy to set up and can do in English