There are several reasons to use a VPN, including protecting your privacy, streaming geo-restricted content, and remaining connected to favorite websites and services when in France or traveling abroad.
The French have traditionally placed a premium on privacy and security in their personal life, which extends to the internet, where VPNs are quite popular.
Despite France’s great dedication to privacy, there are still several reasons to use a VPN to access the web privately and securely in France.
Additionally, using a VPN enables access to a plethora of geo-restricted content on sites such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. For French nationals traveling overseas, a VPN is also a fantastic alternative if you want to continue accessing local premium services like Eurosport, Canal+, and Play TV.
Best VPN for France
We chose our suggested French VPN based on the following criteria:
- Encryption security.
- Rapidity and stability.
- There are no used logs.
- Unblocking content that is geo-restricted, such as Netflix.
- Appropriate for torrenting and peer-to-peer.
NordVPN
NordVPN does not record any information about the websites visited by its users while connected to its servers, nor the time, date, or length of each session. Its servers have been seized in at least one instance, although police were unable to identify users due to the lack of stored data.
NordVPN is lightning fast and excellent at unblocking region-restricted streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video from overseas. Additionally, it offers servers that are specialized for double VPN, Tor over VPN, anti-DDoS, and video streaming. DNS leak prevention is provided, as is an internet kill switch, making it one of the most robust VPNs in terms of encryption settings.
The VPN company has been around for over a decade and is capable of watching high-definition videos without latency. Unrestricted torrenting is allowed with no speed limits.
Apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV are available.
Is it possible to use a free VPN in France?
There’s always the possibility of discovering a free VPN provider—they’re everywhere and a quick Google or Reddit search would likely suffice. While technically such services are free to use, it does not imply they are.
Our advice is to avoid such solutions at all costs. They, too, are businesses (which means they must earn money to remain afloat) and hence will bombard you with all kinds of obnoxious advertisements and sell your data to third-party corporations in exchange for monetary recompense.
Contracting viruses is a distinct risk, and there is no guarantee that you will get the same level of speed or customer support as premium VPN providers. In the long term, it’s more cost-effective to pay a few bucks and get exceptional service—believe us, it’s worth it.
How to get a French Internet Protocol address
If you’re a French resident intending to spend some time abroad, a large amount of local content will probably stay unavailable if you check in from another nation. One way around this is to connect to the VPN suggested above—all you have to do is choose a French server before starting your internet browser and you’re ready to go.
The benefits of obtaining a French IP address extend beyond gaining access to geo-restricted content. Your search engine will presume that you are in France, and will provide the most relevant results in your native language if you choose. Additionally, some French banks and financial organizations need a local IP address before granting access to online services.
What is the internet’s future in France?
France is often viewed as a pro-privacy country. For example, French officials fined Facebook US$166,777 for worries about the way it monitors user data “without legal cover.” Authorities said the social media behemoth failed to adequately notify users about the ways it employs to collect personal data about their surfing patterns.
However, privacy rights have been eroded in recent years.
President Hollande’s 2015 emergency powers provided authorities the authority to undertake home arrests, raids, and searches of electronic devices including French laptops, PCs, cellphones, and tablets without obtaining a warrant.
The following year, the French Constitutional Council approved the majority of provisions of new legislation requiring internet service providers to monitor suspected individuals’ online activities and send such information to intelligence services.
There are worries that this legislation might be exploited to construct a vast internet monitoring infrastructure that would have a direct influence on the lives of all French citizens, whether they want it or not.
These concerning developments bolster the case for utilizing a VPN when accessing the web in France. A VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, encrypts and routes your internet traffic via a distant server, protecting its content and destination from internet service providers, hackers, and government agencies such as the NSA.
Even the United Nations’ human rights committee has expressed reservations about the law’s foundations, stating that it “grants excessively broad powers for extremely intrusive surveillance based on vast and broadly defined objectives.” French authorities, it noted, must strike a balance between further intrusions into private life and recognized norms of legality, proportionality, and necessity.
Not only does the bill permit electronic surveillance of mobile devices, but it also authorizes intelligence services to install covert cameras and recording equipment in people’s homes. Additionally, keylogger devices may be installed, and information can be kept for up to five years.
Other advocacy organizations, including Privacy International and La Quadrature du Net, slammed the events, claiming that the poorly crafted measure lacks judicial authorization and that the French parliament “endorsed a fundamental decline in human rights.”
When traveling, watching French television
Additionally, a VPN may be used to unblock French televisions. Our implies that French citizens traveling overseas may conceal their location by registering for a VPN (we suggest one of the paid options on this list), picking a server in France, erasing their web browser’s cookies, and then accessing the individual streaming URLs.
Anyone with a French IP address is welcome to view the following channels: Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list and that further items may be added:
- Euronews
- France24
- TV5 Monde
- Arte
- RTBF
- BFM TV
- LCP
- Eurosport
- Pluzz
- TF1
- M6
- France2
- France3
- France4
- Gulli
- PlayTV
How can I watch Ligue 1 from a country other than France?
French citizens are huge fans of the French football league, often known as Ligue 1. This naturally results in a desire to see the matches live as they are televised. We suggest utilizing a VPN to disguise your IP address in French and logging into live-streaming channels such as Eurosport. You may be required to register and sign up for the service in advance using a French credit card; please speak with individual broadcasters for further information.
Methodology for VPN testing
Each VPN that we suggest is evaluated by PrivacyExplore based on expert analysis, empirical testing, and real-world experience. Our process enables us to provide the most exhaustive and accurate evaluations available online. Specifically, when it comes to French VPNs, we consider the following:
- Encryption: VPNs must utilize robust, up-to-date encryption to prevent data leakage. Each VPN we examine is subjected to a leak test.
- Speed: We do speed tests and keep track of connection times to VPN servers located across the globe.
- Logging policy: We scrutinize the VPN’s privacy policy and terms of service for wording or omissions that might imply the gathering of personally identifiable information or user activity logs while connected to the VPN.
- Streaming: This year alone, we conducted hundreds of tests to determine whether VPNs unblock region-locked streaming sites from overseas.
- Customer service: As a secret shopper, we call each VPN’s for customer assistance to determine response times and quality.
VPN for France FAQs
How can you get Netflix’s French-language content?
Netflix offers a plethora of entertainment in France, including all Netflix Original titles. This is how:
- To begin, perform a performance.
- You’ll see a speech bubble symbol in the bottom-right corner—mouse over it to learn more.
- Now, on the left, click French.
- Select Manage profiles by clicking on your user symbol in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Change the default audio language to French by selecting your profile.
Is torrenting prohibited in France?
Torrenting is not prohibited in France: it is just another method of obtaining content. There are complications if you download anything that you do not own, such as movies, television series, or games. If detected, you may face a fine, however, the repeal of the HADOPI graded response legislation eliminates the possibility of your Internet Account Provider suspending your service.
Which mobile network in France is the best?
Orange has over 80% of the French population, making it by far the biggest network in the nation. This reduces the likelihood of encountering coverage gaps, but with SFR quickly developing its 4G capabilities and Bouygues Telecom entering the streaming area, each operator offers something unique. Finally, there is no objectively “best” network; thus, choose the network that best matches your goals and budget.
Is it legal to use a VPN in France?
In France, it is legal to utilize a VPN. Indeed, VPNs are legal in the majority of nations. Using a VPN may violate the terms of service of a certain website, such as Netflix France. However, it is exceedingly improbable that you will face any repercussions. Of course, utilizing a VPN for unlawful purposes (such as sharing copyrighted information) is a separate matter that may result in legal consequences.