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Best VPNs for France.tv - Unblock France TV outside of France

France.tv is one of the most popular TV channels in the country, boasting its own on-demand service and a slew of content, ranging from news broadcasts to serial dramas and talk-shows.

The only problem is, if you're not in La République, you won't be able to access the channel unless you have a VPN – a piece of tech that can help you unblock content from across the globe.

 

How to unblock France.tv outside of France

Here are all the steps you'll need to take in order to unblock France.tv outside of France. It's not a complicated procedure and once you have your VPN up and running, you'll be unblocking content in a matter of minutes!

  1. Sign up for one of the VPN services listed below. 
  2. Download and install the software on your device/s. 
  3. Connect to a VPN server in France. 
  4. Open your browser and search for France.tv. 
  5. Stream your favorite shows!

If you follow these steps, you should be able to stream your favorite shows on France.tv from absolutely anywhere. 

Best France.tv VPNs

Below you'll find my top VPN picks for unblocking France.tv. Each of these VPNs has been put to the test by our team here at ProPrivacy, and I'll take a closer look at all five providers a little later in this guide.

  1. ExpressVPN - The best VPN for unblock France.tv as well as many other streaming services.
  2. TIP

    In our testing we checked that all ExpressVPN plans work for Netflix. The one year plan is the best value: three months free and a 30 day risk-free trial.

  3. NordVPN - A lightning-quick VPN, perfect for streaming, that comes with excellent security features.
  4. Private Internet Access - A really secure VPN with a great privacy record and 147 servers in France.
  5. Surfshark - A budget-friendly VPN that still pulls punches when it comes to security and speed.
  6. CyberGhost VPN - A solid choice for unblocking France.tv, with an easy-to-use interface and optimised streaming servers.

The best VPNs for France.tv: a closer look

We recommend that you use the following VPN services for France.tv.

1. ExpressVPN
Editor's Choice | March 2024

ExpressVPN is, all things considered, the best provider for this job and one of the most reliable VPN services around.

  • Pricing

    • 12 months + 3 months FREE + Backblaze backup: $6.67/mth
      49% OFF
    • 6 months: $9.99/mth
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Super fast - great for streaming!
    • TrustedServer tech runs in RAM only
    • Squeaky clean privacy track record
    • Servers in 94 countries
  • Cons

    • IPv6 WebRTC leaks (fixed by browser extension)
    • Not the cheapest VPN provider
    • No port-forwarding
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN Demo ExpressVPN Demo


ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands (a country with excellent privacy laws) and is probably the best all-around VPN on the market at the moment. ExpressVPN allows up to 5 simultaneous connections and has an app for all the major mobile and PC operating systems, all of which work well and facilitate an easy user experience for customers. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is great news if you're an indecisive punter who wants to try before you permanently buy. 


Unblocking France.tv – and much more


ExpressVPN consistently unblocks all sorts of services from all over the web, and has servers located in Paris and several more in Strasbourg. It'll be easy for you to access France.tv without being served a message stating that 'this content is not available in your country. 



ExpressVPN isn't a one-trick-pony, however, and even if unblocking France.tv is your main priority, it's still great to have the option of browsing through content on other streaming services. To that end, ExpressVPN can unblock a variety of Netflix libraries and region-locked shows on Amazon Prime and BBC iPlayer, thanks to servers in over 94 countries.


If privacy isn't your priority (more on ExpressVPN's security features below) then you'll enjoy ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer. It's a Smart DNS service that won't encrypt your data like a VPN, but will still aid you in spoofing your location and unblocking channels. Not all VPNs provide a Smart DNS service so getting two different pieces of tech for the price is a shrewd investment. 


Security to match


ExpressVPN is well-regarded as a very secure VPN, with a commitment to keeping no logs of user activity. The provider has been audited by PwC in recent years, uses AES-256 encryption, and equips every user with a kill-switch that will drop their internet connection and protect their original IP address if the VPN connection cuts out.


ExpressVPN's obfuscated (stealth) servers are another vital privacy feature, and hide your VPN activity, something that comes in especially handy for folks living in countries where VPNs are illegal/only state-managed VPNs are permitted. 


Worth the money?


It's not easy to find a downside to ExpressVPN's service, but one complaint we hear pretty regularly is that subscription prices are hardly cheap. Admittedly, there are more cost-effective choices out there, but you're unlikely to find a provider that can unblock the same amount of sites and offer the same robust security measures for a fraction of the price.

NordVPN is another solid choice for unblocking France.tv, posting speeds that can even rival ExpressVPN.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $3.69/mth
      70% OFF
    • 12 months: $4.99/mth
      59% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Based in Panama (great for privacy)
    • Dedicated IPs (cost extra)
    • Much faster than the average VPN
    • Lots of useful features
  • Cons

    • No port forwarding
    • IPv6 leak in macOS IKEv2 app
    • Only allows up to six simultaneous connections
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Nord Demo

Nord Demo Nord Demo


NordVPN is based in Panama (excellent for privacy) and, similar to ExpressVPN, is one of the most recognizable and reputable names on the circuit. The provider has been around for over eight years now, and has earned its spot on this list thanks to a dogged dedication to constantly improving and upgrading its network in order to provide the best possible user experience.


The speeds you need for streaming


When it comes to streaming, some VPNs just don't cut the mustard. They're either too slow and or can't unblock the websites they claim to. NordVPN is quite different, however, and always performs well on our daily speed tests, regularly besting other providers or coming in at a close second NordVPN also has over 5,300 servers in 65 countries, which is enough to unblock all sorts of content. 


NordVPN has servers in two locations in France, so you'll be able to unblock France.tv pretty easily, and NordVPN's superior connection and download speeds will mean latency and buffering will be virtually non-existent. 


Loads of security features 


NordVPN, as VPNs go, has arguably some of the most interesting and useful security features available. All the standard ones are included – a kill-switch, AES-256 encryption, obfuscated (stealth) servers and a private DNS service – but that's only the tip of the iceberg. Double VPN, for instance, will reroute your connection through two VPN servers rather than one. And Onion-over-VPN will link you up to the Onion Network for extra protection. 



NordVPN packs a powerful ad and malware blocker called CyberSec, and even has its very own protocol, called NordLynx. NordLynx is a speedier, more secure version of the already quite impressive WireGuard protocol, and could be something to check out if you're a regular streamer. Plus, these security features will all come in handy if you're watching France.tv from a country governed by an authoritarian regime. 


NordVPN: worth the price?


NordVPN is one of the cheaper VPNs on the market but certainly packs a punch. The provider permits up to 6 simultaneous connections through the same account, which isn't as many as some of the providers further down this list but is a pretty decent allowance, and I quite like NordVPN's friendly user interface (it's a big map, so it's easy to see what servers are closest to you). NordVPN is, like all the best VPNs, offering a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can get to grips with the software without having to pay a permanent fee. Just contact their customer support team within a month and you'll have your cash back! 

Private Internet Access (PIA) is probably best known for its security measures and proven commitmenta to its no logs policy.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.19/mth
      82% OFF
    • 6 months: $7.5/mth
      38% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Cheaper than most similar VPNs
    • Servers all over the world
    • No logs claim has been proven in court
    • Up to 10 simultaneous connections
    • Fully featured Linux Client
  • Cons

    • Not the best VPN for beginners who need hands-on support
    • Can be slower than other VPNs on this list
    • Fast, but it could be a bit faster
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

PIA Demo

PIA Demo PIA Demo


Private Internet Access has 147 servers in France, which makes unblocking France.tv a simple process. The fact that the VPN is based in the US, which is admittedly a privacy red flag, may deter some prospective users, but as I'll go on to explain, PIA is a VPN provider you can trust. 


If you'd like to try the software out for yourself, PIA, like the VPNs above it in this list, offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to put you at ease and ensure you're really sold on its benefits before you take the financial plunge. 


No logs claim proven in court


Private Internet Access' zero-logs claim has been proven in court on more than one occasion. In fact, PIA has appeared in two court cases over the past three years or so, and on both occasions has had no data to hand over to authorities, which is a clear indication that its no-logs policy does exactly what it says on the tin. 


This is a really good sign if you're shopping for a VPN to watch content your government disapproves of on France.tv, because you can be sure there's no way they'll be able to find out what TV shows or movies you're watching. PIA is also an all-rounder when it comes to security, using the latest encryption protocols and obfuscation technology to ensure user safety. 


The best VPN for Linux


Private Internet Access, in my opinion, is the best top-tier VPN for Linux simply because it provides a fully-featured client for the OS and not just a command-line client like many of the other VPNs on this list. If you're a Linux user, I'd definitely check out ProPrivacy's articles on the best VPNs for Linux, but you'll be hard pushed to find one better than PIA. 


Simultaneous connections galore


PIA allows up to 10 simultaneous connections through a single account, so if you've got family and friends who would like to unblock shows on France.tv, or indeed any other channel, then PIA might be a really good choice. 

Surfshark is really cheap but actually has a surprising amount of features for a budget-friendly VPN, making it a firm staff favourite here at ProPrivacy.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.3/mth
      83% OFF
    • 12 months: $3.99/mth
      70% OFF
    • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • Pros

    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
    • Bare metal servers in 50+ countries
    • P2P Allowed
    • Unblocks all major streaming services
    • Feature-rich for its price
  • Cons

    • One month price is not the cheapest
    • Speeds could be a little bit better
    • Number of locations isn't as high as other VPNs
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark Demo Surfshark Demo


Surfshark is a VPN based in the British Virgin Islands – making it yet another VPN based in a privacy-conscious country – and has gone from strength to strength since entering the market in 2018. 


Now, Surfshark has apps for lots of different platforms and helps thousands of people protect their privacy every day across all of their devices. If privacy isn't your priority though, and you just want to unblock different shows and movies, then Surfshark has a great Smart DNS for you to use (spoofs your location like a VPN, but doesn't encrypt your traffic). 


Unlimited connections


Surfshark's major USP is that it allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections through the same account, making it an excellent choice for groups of friends or even families who either want more private browsing experience or the chance to watch shows from around the world. 


Speeds and servers


Surfshark is pretty nippy – maybe not as lightning quick as Nord or Express – but it certainly does the job when it comes to streaming. Surfshark has over 3,200 servers worldwide, and if you want to unblock France.tv from outside of the country, you can connect to one of its servers in Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux.



Surfshark has a well-maintained server network spanning 63 countries around the world, so you won't be stuck with just French or European TV - the possibilities are virtually endless. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and iPlayer can all be accessed with the power of Surfshark. 


Security to match 


Surfshark, in my eyes at least, has a very similar privacy and security profile to NordVPN. It has a Multi-hop feature that works like NordVPN's Double VPN, Camoflauge mode to hide even the fact you're using a VPN at all, and a malware and ad-blocking tool called CleanWeb. Surfshark, of course, uses AES-256 bit encryption to secure user traffic and has a kill-switch (although there are some reports of kill-switch issues with some of Surfshark's apps – so be careful). The provider also affords customers 30-days to claim a full refund if they're not happy with the service. 

CyberGhost, a VPN managed by Kape Technologies PLC, is one of the most well-known faces in the VPN world and has a good track record of unblocking content.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $2.11/mth
      83% OFF
    • 6 months: $6.99/mth
      42% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrenting allowed
    • Private: Strong no logs policy
    • Based in Romania so no government spying!
    • 45-day money-back guarantee
    • easy-to-use UI
  • Cons

    • WebRTC IPv6 leak in macOS
    • No obfuscated (stealth) servers
    • Keep some connection (but not activity) logs
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

CyberGhost Demo

CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost Demo


CyberGhost is a Romania-based VPN with millions upon millions of subscribers worldwide, making it one of the most popular providers in the world. It's definitely a great VPN for beginners and takes a no-frills approach to security and privacy tools, but one you can trust to do what it says on the tin. 


Great streaming servers 


CyberGhost has a huge number of servers across the globe – over 7,000 in more than 91 countries, which means you'll have a whole lot more to unblock than just France.tv. There are, however, 655 CyberGhost servers in France, so the chances of connecting to a congested one are pretty slim. 


One thing I like about CyberGhost is that not only does it tell you where the servers are, but it even tells you which servers are optimized to unblock which services. This can save you a hell of a lot of time, avoiding the hassle of connecting through lots of different servers to find the right one. 


Some downsides


If you're trying to access France.tv from somewhere where VPNs are banned or frowned upon, I'd choose another provider. CyberGhost doesn't have obfuscation (cloaking) technology yet, so although they can encrypt your activity when you're using a VPN, they can't stop someone watching from seeing that you are using one.


CyberGhost does have the baseline security features it needs for us to recommend it, such as a kill-switch, but I personally think they could offer customers a bit more, as they're currently being outpaced by other providers in terms of features. If you want an easy-to-use, no-frills VPN, however CyberGhost is a great option. 


A long time to decide


Unlike the other providers on this list, CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee rather than the customary 30 days, giving you a whole two weeks longer to make up your mind about its product. So for the indecisive amongst you: look no further than CyberGhost! If you're a VPN newbie and you'd like a simple app and an extended period to make up your mind, this provider is the perfect match. 

Why are these the best VPNs for France.tv 

Here at ProPrivacy, we've tested and reviewed all the major VPN providers as well as many rising stars and new players in the industry.

Although VPNs have a multitude of uses and benefits, there are specific things you should be looking for if you want to unblock France.tv. Some of these points might feel a bit self-explanatory, but they're still worth spelling out! Essential factors include:

As well as the essential features, we've also chosen VPN services that also include the following:

  • Super fast servers - all VPNs marginally slow down your connection time, so picking one that will still connect you up to your network quickly is essential. 
  • Strong security features - Although this isn't something that will help you unblock France.tv it's one of the most important things a VPN should do. Not all VPNs use the same security protocols or indeed offer the same privacy tools as one another, or are audited as regularly. 
  • Is it reliable - some VPNs have patchy security histories, whereas providers like ExpressVPN have never put a foot wrong, and some struggle to unblock certain sites. 
  • Size of its server network- VPN server networks differ broadly in numerical size and countries and locations covered, so you have to pick one with countries you want to stream content from. 
  • Price- as with any product, value for money is essential. This doesn't mean cheaper is better, just that the more costly the service, the higher quality it has to be. 
  • Customer service- VPNs are tech. Tech sometimes breaks. A solid VPN provider will have a good customer service team on hand to help when this happens.  

Why do I need a VPN for France.tv? 

A lot of national broadcasters, channels, and streaming services enforce 'geo-restrictions' – and these restrictions essentially prohibit anyone with an IP address from (in this case) outside of France from watching France.tv. Streaming services examine the IP addresses of user devices because they can reveal the approximate location of that device, and thereby be used to enforce geo-restrictions.

By using a VPN, however, it's possible to bypass these restrictions. A VPN sends your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a private server and masks your original IP address. As a result, sites like France.tv are unable to detect your actual location, and will only see the IP address (and geographic details of) the VPN server you're connected to.

What else can I do with a VPN for France.tv?

Your shiny new VPN is good for more than just unblocking content on France.tv, of course. The VPNs listed in this guide are also more than capable of accessing content from various streaming services around the world.

And that's still just the tip of the iceberg. We've already mentioned that a VPN will slow your connection speeds a little, which is just a byproduct of all that encrypting, but there are actually a few scenarios in which a VPN could improve your speeds – namely, if your internet service provider (ISP) is throttling your bandwidth. A VPN hides the content you're viewing from your internet service provider, and if the provider can't see what you're doing with their bandwidth, they can't throttle you. 

Plus, if you install your VPN on a router so that it's compatible with games consoles, you'll also potentially be able to find and play games that aren't yet available in your country. This means you'll be able to get ahead of your friends whilst they're sat waiting!

Can I use a free VPN with France.tv?

Some of you might read this article and wonder: why can't I just get a free VPN to do all this for me and save a bit of money in the process? It's a valid question, and we all love a bargain, but most free VPNs just aren't worth using. Some lack the necessary encryption to keep your browsing sessions secure and most will be unable to handle HD streaming, thanks to bandwidth caps and monthly data limits. Plus, it's unlikely that a free VPN can even access streaming sites like France.tv. Decent free VPNs do exist, but you'll need to be extra careful to avoid the duds. Check out our free VPN page for a list of great services that won't cost you a cent.

What about Smart DNS services?

SmartDNS services can be used, just like a VPN, to spoof your location and trick websites into unblocking content for you, no matter where you really are.

Smart DNS services are also a good solution to unblocking Frane.tv. Rhere are plenty of advantages to using a Smart DNS service. For example, they're typically quicker than VPNs and you can use them on a Smart TV. Check out our best smart DNS page for a list of great services. 

So, you might think you're better off using a Smart DNS service, and not a VPN, when it comes to streaming. The truth is that Smart DNS services are only ever marginally faster than most VPNs, and this is because they don't encrypt any of your data – encryption and decryption takes time, after all! Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of premium VPNs (ExpressVPN, NordVPN etc.) actually offer a Smart DNS service as part of their package, so you can keep both under the same roof inside the same app. For me, this is a much simpler and easier solution to the dilemma. 

Final thoughts

France.tv is home to some of the most varied and popular French content in the world – but with a VPN, you won't need to be in the country yourself to enjoy it! Here's a quick recap of the VPNs featured in this article in case you haven't made up your mind:

  1. ExpressVPN - The best VPN for unblock France.tv as well as many other streaming services.
  2. TIP

    In our testing we checked that all ExpressVPN plans work for Netflix. The one year plan is the best value: three months free and a 30 day risk-free trial.

  3. NordVPN - A lightning-quick VPN, perfect for streaming, that comes with excellent security features.
  4. Private Internet Access - A really secure VPN with a great privacy record and 147 servers in France.
  5. Surfshark - A budget-friendly VPN that still pulls punches when it comes to security and speed.
  6. CyberGhost VPN - A solid choice for unblocking France.tv, with an easy-to-use interface and optimised streaming servers.

Written by: Aaron Drapkin

After graduating with a philosophy degree from the University of Bristol in 2018, Aaron became a researcher at news digest magazine The Week following a year as editor of satirical website The Whip. Freelancing alongside these roles, his work has appeared in publications such as Vice, Metro, Tablet and New Internationalist, as well as The Week's online edition.

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