I thought most European banks do charge for basic accounts?

"Free" accounts seems like a big US thing because there's lots of competition between a highly fractionated banking industry. Something like 4000 banks in USA and next biggest is Russia with ~400

https://www.helgilibrary.com/charts/what-country-has-the-mos...

Reviewing some traditional French banks and their "mobile" offerings are still 2EUR/month, and students can get a 1EUR/month plan.