How to watch French TV online from anywhere

Traveling outside France on a business trip or for a vacation? If you are abroad, watching French TV can be difficult. This is because French channels and streaming services are usually geographically restricted to France.

However, with a VPN, you can unblock French favorites such as Canal+, Arte, and TF1. With a VPN, you connect to a server in France. This provides you with a French IP address that allows you to stream French TV without any issues.

Plus, a VPN protects your privacy and keeps your online activities safe from hackers and snoopers.

How to watch French TV abroad with a VPN

Keen to get started? Here’s how you can watch French TV with a VPN overseas:

1. First, you will need to sign up for a top-tier VPN provider. I recommend using NordVPN, as it has French servers, offers fast connections, and reliably unblocks major streaming platforms.
2. Download and install the VPN app onto the device you want to watch French TV on.
3. Open your VPN app and connect to a French server.
4. You will now have a French IP address that allows you to watch French TV. Navigate to your favorite service and enjoy!

If you still have issues watching the service of your choice, I recommend clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. If this still doesn’t work, try contacting your VPN’s customer service team.

So, now you know how to use a VPN for watching French TV content abroad, let’s take a look at the top VPNs for the job. I will provide in-depth reviews below, but first, here’s a quick summary if you’re in a rush.

The best VPNs for French TV abroad:

1. NordVPN: My number one choice for getting a French IP address. Global network of 7,900+ servers in 126+ countries, including more than 300 servers in France. Offers very fast streaming speeds and strong security measures. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: A great budget option that allows users to watch French TV abroad, thanks to servers in France. 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. IPVanish: Top streaming VPN, with servers in France and 140+ locations around the world. Can unblock geo-restricted services with ease.
4. ExpressVPN: One of the best in the business for accessing geo-blocked content. Reliable, user-friendly, and has servers in France.
5. CyberGhost: Boasts over 11,5000 servers globally, including locations in France. Servers optimized for streaming to enhance performance.
6. PrivateVPN: Secure, privacy-focused provider with excellent security features to keep you safe online while outside the country.
7. Private Internet Access: A lightweight option with a massive network of 35,000+ servers in 91+ countries. No limit on device connections.

While looking for the best VPNs for watching French TV abroad, I considered a number of different factors to make sure I found the best providers. Here is what I considered:

• Strong server network with locations in France
• Great unblocking capability, so you can watch your favorite French TV channels and streaming platforms
• Strong security and privacy measures to keep you safe online outside France
• Fast server speeds to ensure you never experience any buffering or lag
• Easy to set up and use, with excellent customer support services
• Value for money

For more information about the criteria I used, check out the testing methodology section later in this article.

Best VPNs for accessing French TV online from anywhere

With that being said, here are my reviews of the best VPNs for watching French TV online outside France, so you can make an informed decision about the VPN that’s right for your needs.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN has a large global network of 7,900+ servers in 126+ countries, including 300+ in France. It provides fast connection speeds and can unblock French TV services with ease. This means you’ll never struggle to watch your favorite TV shows, movies, and live sports, no matter your location.

NordVPN also provides strong security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, an app-specific kill switch, an automatic ad-blocker, a malware scanner, and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. Plus, it offers a no-logs policy and accepts cryptocurrency payments, which protects users’ anonymity thanks to not associating payments with users’ names.

You can download apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. You even have the option of installing/setting up NordVPN on some routers. Connect 10 devices simultaneously with a NordVPN subscription, and the customer service team is available 24/7.

Pros:

• Fast connection speeds
• Strong security measures
• No logs stored
• Apps are available for many different platforms
• Servers in France

Cons:

• The desktop app can be slow sometimes

BEST VPN FOR WATCHING FRENCH TV:NordVPN is the best option out there for watching French TV abroad. It has a large global server network, with 300+ in France. Fast and secure. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is an excellent budget VPN, with a strong network of 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries, including France. Boasts reliable and fast connections, and is capable of unblocking French TV services like Canal+, Arte, and TF1 with ease.

The provider’s security measures include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, protection against DNS, WebRTC, and DNS leaks, and a strict no-logs policy. Traffic scrambling is also included, and cryptocurrency payments are accepted to enhance anonymity.

Surfshark has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Some routers can also have this service manually installed on them. It also offers an unlimited number of simultaneous connections and the customer service team is available 24/7.

Pros:

• Can unblock many different services
• Fast connection speeds
• Strong security measures
• Supports an unlimited number of connections
• Cryptocurrency payments

Cons:

• Some servers can be slow at times

BEST BUDGET VPN FOR WATCHING FRENCH TV ONLINE:Surfshark is an affordably priced VPN that can unblock French TV without hassle. It offers an unlimited number of connections and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. IPVanish

IPVanish has 2,400+ servers across the globe, with locations in France. It has been trusted by the Kodi community for years, thanks to its fast server network. This is great news for users who want a stress-free, lag-free streaming experience while watching their favorite French TV shows abroad.

IPVanish has many security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, protection against leaks, and a kill switch. This provider also gives users a traffic scrambling option and stores no logs.

IPVanish apps are available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. This service can also be manually installed on some routers and Linux. If you subscribe to IPVanish, you will be entitled to an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. Live chat support is provided 24/7.

Pros:

• Fast connection speeds
• Great option for torrenters and Kodi users
• No logs stored
• Unlimited number of simultaneous connections

Cons:

• Some servers don’t work with Netflix
• Apps don’t work in China

UNLIMITED NUMBER OF CONNECTIONS:IPVanish is secure and offers fast streaming speeds. It has French servers and gives users an unlimited number of connections with their subscription. 30-day money-back guarantee included.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for users who stream a lot. It has over 3,000 servers in more than 105 countries, including France and the rest of Europe. Delivers excellent speeds and is easy to use, making it a great choice for VPN beginners.

Strong security measures include 256-bit AES encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. There is a .onion site for this provider, too, which lets users sign up for their subscription anonymously. Cryptocurrency payments are accepted and it enforces a strict no-logs policy.

ExpressVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and macOS. In addition, it can be installed on some routers. Connect up to eight devices at the same time. 24/7 live chat support is available.

Pros:

• Fast connection speeds
• Can unblock many different services, such as Canal+
• .onion site and cryptocurrency payments supported
• Strong security measures

Cons:

• This service is more expensive than some of the other providers on this list
• Lack of customizability can be off-putting for some users

GREAT STREAMING VPN:ExpressVPN is great for streaming, with fast servers and the ability to bypass geo-blocks with ease. French servers and strong security make it great for watching French TV online from anywhere. 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN has a very large number of servers globally, with 11,500 in more than 100 countries, including France. It also offers servers optimized for different purposes, like torrenting and streaming. This means you can watch French TV without any lag.

Strong security measures are in place, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling on Android devices. This service also doesn’t store any logs and accepts cryptocurrency payments.

CyberGhost apps can be downloaded for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Some routers can be manually set up to work with CyberGhost, too. The customer service team can be reached 24/,7 and subscribers are allowed seven simultaneous connections.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use apps
• 24/7 live chat support
• Huge server network
• Strong security and privacy measures

Cons:

• Blocked in the UAE
• Cap on simultaneous devices

VERY LARGE SERVER NETWORK:CyberGhost has over 11,500 servers in more than 100 countries, including France. Offers servers optimized for streaming, making it a great option for watching French TV. 45-day money-back guarantee.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a small VPN provider with over 200 servers in 63+ countries. However, this does include servers in France, and despite the small network, it’s still very reliable and performs well. Speeds are fast, and it can unblock French TV and popular streaming platforms, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and HBO Max.

Security features include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. This service also doesn’t store any logs and accepts cryptocurrency payments, allowing for a greater level of anonymity.

PrivateVPN can be downloaded for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Some routers and Linux devices can also be manually configured to work with the service. Note that the customer service agents for PrivateVPN are only available during Swedish business hours (PrivateVPN is a Swedish business). Despite this, the quality of customer service is excellent. This provider allows for 10 simultaneous device connections.

Pros:

• Can unblock several different services
• Fast connection speeds
• No logs are stored
• Works in China

Cons:

• Customer support not available 24/7
• Small server network

PRIVACY-FOCUSED VPN:PrivateVPN offers plenty of solid security and privacy features. Reliably unblocks most streaming platforms, so you can watch French TV live while you’re traveling abroad. 30-day money-back guarantee.

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a lightweight option that boasts the largest server network on this list, with 35,000+ in over 91 countries (including France). This means you can unblock geo-blocked streaming services in France and the rest of the world with ease. Offers decent speeds to guarantee a lag-free viewing experience.

Security features include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, an ad blocker, and split tunneling to keep users safe online. Users have the flexibility to customize encryption, port settings, and DNS configurations. Note that this service doesn’t store any logs.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. The customer service team can be reached 24/7 and subscribers are allowed an unlimited number of connections at the same time.

Pros:

• Strong security measures
• WireGuard VPN protocol supported (faster and more efficient)
• Several customization options

Cons:

• Doesn’t work reliably in China
• App design is lacking in some ways

LIGHTWEIGHT AND EFFECTIVE::PIA is a lightweight option that can provide users with secure access to many different streaming services. The biggest server network on this list. Provides unlimited simultaneous connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Testing methodology: How I chose the best VPNs for watching French TV abroad

While looking for the best VPNs to watch French TV from anywhere, I followed a very strict set of criteria to ensure I found the best options. Here are the factors I considered:

• Strong server network globally and in France: Having servers in France was critical. The more the better. Plus, all of these providers have solid global server networks, allowing users to choose servers in many different locations.
• Good unblocking capability: Some streaming services block VPNs. This means that even though you might come across a VPN that gives you your desired server location and IP address, it may still not be able to unblock the geo-restricted service. However, the options reviewed here can unblock a wide variety of French TV channels and streaming platforms without any issues.
• Fast server speeds: Fast speeds ensure users can stream without lag or buffering, no matter where they are located in the world. This is important for watching your favorite shows, movies, and live sports on French TV.
• Strong security features: Excellent security and privacy measures protect users in the online environment. Security measures, like strong encryption, can protect users on open WiFi networks and hide users’ identity and private information online.
• Easy to use: A VPN provider must be suitable for beginners and experts, with user-friendly apps that allow you to make the most of your subscription. Good customer support is also important.
• Value for money: All of my chosen VPNs for watching French TV offer plenty of bang for your buck. Plus, they come with money-back guarantees and discounted subscription rates. Some even have free trials.

You can read more about my VPN testing process in this guide.

How to watch French TV abroad FAQs