What is the best way to rent a mobile phone that will work in France/Spain?

Question

I'm going to be traveling in the south of France and into Spain in September and would like to have a mobile phone (I'm traveling from the United States). I would probably need the phone only for 8 days or so. It would need to work in both countries.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Just buy a cheap one in store. A pay as you go.

And then ask about sim cards. There are some 'tri band' or 'global sims'

Google. Ask around...

Answer 2

I have never seen a phone for rent, and reading here I never found anyone admitting they even exist.
You can bring your own mobile phone, and use your own contract. (If the phone has the band we use here in Europe and your contract allows it.)
Or bring your phone and buy a 'sim only' prepaid contract, (technically you need an address in the country you buy it, but mostly a hotel address is good too.)
Check that your phone will work here and that you can use a different simcard in it.

Or buy a cheap phone here and try to sell it second hand when done with it, (prepaid contracts only,) again you need an address and this time they may check better.

But for 8 days I would bring my own phone and just try not to use it unless there are emergencies.