How to watch BBC iPlayer in France

Due to regional restrictions, you won’t normally be able to watch channels like BBC Three or BBC Alba while visiting France. Instead, you’ll see one of two errors: either “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues” or “This content is not available in your location”. Luckily, it’s possible to regain access to all of your favorite British content by connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

VPN services encrypt your data, shielding your online activity from snoopers. However, they also send this data through a server somewhere else in the world, which we can use to sidestep BBC iPlayer’s geo-restriction and continue watching while traveling abroad.

How to watch BBC iPlayer in France

You don’t have to be a tech expert to access British streaming platforms abroad. Just follow these steps and you’ll be watching BBC in a matter of minutes:

Here’s how to watch BBC iPlayer in France with a VPN:

1. First, register with a suitable VPN provider (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Install the app onto any device you use for streaming regularly. Most major VPNs let you connect five or so devices at once, so don’t worry if there are a few.
3. Log into the VPN app and select a server in the UK.
4. Sign in to BBC iPlayer and try accessing a live stream. If it fails to load, clear your cookies and cache, then try again. You should now be able to use the service as normal. For help with more stubborn issues, we’d recommend contacting your VPN’s support team.

Choosing the right VPN for watching BBC iPlayer abroad

You can’t just use any old VPN to access BBC iPlayer in France. Even if a particular service works, there’s no guarantee it’ll perform as well with other tasks. That’s why we decided to only recommend VPNs that met all of the criteria below (more on these later):

• Works with BBC iPlayer and other popular UK streaming platforms
• Has a minimal impact on your connection speed
• Uses a wide range of security features including encryption to keep you safe
• Refuses to store any personally identifiable information
• Provides apps for all of the most popular operating systems

It’s worth noting that BBC iPlayer has very strong VPN-detection features, and as such, most services won’t work. We’ve rounded up seven that do, and will cover these in more detail below. For now, though, here’s a brief overview of each:

The 7 best VPNs for streaming BBC iPlayer in France

1. NordVPN: Our top VPN for watching BBC iPlayer in France. Combines an exceptional set of security tools with above-average speed and streaming ability. All plans include a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Basic) works perfectly for BBC iPlayer.
2. Surfshark: The best low-cost VPN for watching iPlayer abroad. Works flawlessly with BBC iPlayer and provides first-class connection speeds. Strong on privacy, with no connection limit.
3. IPVanish: A fast and reliable service that’s recently made real progress where streaming is concerned. Offers 24/7 live chat and as many connections as you need.
4. ExpressVPN: A versatile VPN with an excellent reputation and servers in 94 countries (including the UK). Works with almost every online streaming service we’ve tested
5. CyberGhost: Quick, secure, and easy to use, with specific servers designed for streaming BBC iPlayer abroad. Has 24/7 customer support and beginner-friendly apps.
6. PrivateVPN: A zero-log provider that ranks highly for speed and security. No issues streaming BBC iPlayer, Netflix UK, or ITVX in France.
7. Hotspot Shield: This speedy, user-friendly VPN has servers optimized for watching British streaming platforms. Also boasts advanced security features and 24/7 support.

Best VPNs for live streaming BBC iPlayer abroad

Let’s begin by taking a look at the first of our recommended services, NordVPN:

1. NordVPN

Oct 2024 works with BBC iPlayerTested Oct 2024

NordVPN is our #1 choice for watching BBC iPlayer in France. Not only is it great for accessing popular streaming services, it’s actually one of the fastest we’ve tested, with average speeds of nearly 200 Mbps. There are many server locations in the UK and users are permitted up to six simultaneous connections.

This provider offers a wealth of security features including 256-bit encryption, a customizable kill switch, and a regularly-verified zero-logs policy. There’s also a built-in ad-blocker, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and a Meshnet feature that can help you securely connect to your other devices back home. Although this service is very easy to use, it provides 24/7 support over email and live chat.

NordVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. It’s also possible to manually configure this service for use on supported home routers.

BEST VPN FOR BBC IPLAYER:NordVPN is our top pick. Not only is it an excellent way to live stream British TV abroad, but it’s extremely security-conscious too. This zero-logs provider even offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Interested? Find out more in the full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

works with BBC iPlayerTested Oct 2024

Surfshark is the best budget VPN for BBC iPlayer. In fact, it works equally well with other British streaming services like ITVX, Netflix UK, and Channel 4. There are no bandwidth caps or simultaneous connection limits, and four UK server locations to choose from (two in Scotland, two in England). In other words, this is an extremely versatile yet affordable VPN with lots to offer.

This VPN secures your internet connection with a blend of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. Naturally, there’s a no-logs policy in place too. Users can even change their IP address periodically or turn on the NoBorders mode to get around particularly strict regional restrictions. Live chat-based support is available at any time, day or night.

Surfshark apps are available for all major opersating systems (MacOS, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS). Alternatively, users can follow manual setup instructions to get it running on supported network routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our top low-cost option. Great for streaming BBC iPlayer’s content abroad. Additionally, it punches above its weight on security and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out the full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

works with BBC iPlayerTested Oct 2024

IPVanish owns and operates over 2,400 servers worlwide, with four locations in the UK alone. While this VPN used to struggle to unblock larger streaming platforms, that’s no longer the case; now, it can effortlessly access BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Amazon Prime Video to name but a few. What’s more, it was one of the quickest services we’ve seen, averaging around 270 Mbps in our latest tests. Users can connect all of their devices simultaneously and chat with staff, day or night.

Of course, a VPN’s main job is to keep you safe. IPVanish does a great job of this thanks to its unbreakable encryption, kill switch, and leak protection. If you’re on the OpenVPN protocol, it can even scramble your data, hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN at all. This provider doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and we know that for sure as it’s been independently-audited. The only downsides are that it doesn’t accept any anonymous payment options and is based in the USA (a Five Eyes country).

IPVanish apps are available for iOS, MacOS, Android, and Windows devices. It’s also possible to manually install this VPN on Linux systems and most routers.

IDEAL FOR IPLAYER:IPVanish is fast, easy to use, and a great choice for anyone hoping to watch BBC content abroad. Offers a good set of security features and a proven zero-logs policy. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at our full IPVanish review for more info.

4. ExpressVPN

works with BBC iPlayerTested Oct 2024

ExpressVPN is far better at unblocking BBC iPlayer than it used to be. Whether you’re looking to stream BBC News or major sports events, this service has you covered. Best of all, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest providers we’ve seen, with average speeds well over 150 Mbps. There’s even 24/7 assistance available live chat in case you have any problems.

This VPN is ideal for watching your favorite content securely. It combined 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch that stops sending data the moment your connection drops. ExpressVPN also has a couple of more advanced security features, like automatic obfuscation and tracker-blocking but these run in the background so you don’t have to do anything. This VPN follows a strict no-logs policy and has been audited many times to prove it.

ExpressVPN apps are available for every popular operating system, including Linux, Android, Windows, MacOS, and iOS. Users can also install this service’s custom router firmware.

EXTREMELY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is a solid choice for almost any task, from streaming to torrenting. Makes watching BBC Four as easy as possible. Still not sure? Why not take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee?

Read our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.

5. CyberGhost

works with BBC iPlayerTested Oct 2024

CyberGhost has more than 90 server locations to choose from, and roughly 700 servers in the UK alone. Some of these are even specially-configured for beating BBC iPlayer’s geo-blocking measures! In our experience, these work just as well on mobile devices as on desktop. This VPN offers 24/7 live chat and a seven simultaneous connection limit, plus it won’t slow down your internet connection in any noticeable way.

Plenty of services claim to be open about their privacy policies, but CyberGhost puts its money where its mouth is by publishing regular transparency reports. Not only that, but its apps come with 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch enabled by default. You can also set up smart rules that tell the VPN to automatically connect under certain circumstances.

CyberGhost users can install Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux versions of the app. Select routers are supported too but must be configured manually.

GREAT FIRST VPN:CyberGhost has more than 700 British servers and unblocks BBC iPlayer with ease. It’s very user-friendly, requires minimal configuration, and provides 24/7 support just in case. Best of all, there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

6. PrivateVPN

works with BBC iPlayerTested Oct 2024

PrivateVPN works with a huge range of streaming platforms including BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, and ITVX. Not only that, but it boasts steady speeds and offers over 60 server locations, operating and hosting its own network to keep your data out of the hands of third-parties. Users are allowed up to 10 simultaneous connections and can contact support staff nearly 24/7 via the live chat service.

This provider shields your activities with DNS and IPv6 leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption, and an app-specific kill switch. It also offers a stealth mode capable of beating the world’s strictest digital censorship, and a true no-logs policy. We’d like to see it undergo an independent audit like its competitors, however, since this ensures you don’t have to take the company’s privacy claims at face value.

PrivateVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. It works on Linux-based platforms and wireless routers as well, after a little manual configuration.

WATCH UK TV ABROAD:PrivateVPN is known for three things: its high speeds and commitment to privacy. As such, it’s perfect for people looking to safely stream British TV on a trip to France. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at our in-depth PrivateVPN review.

7. Hotspot Shield

works with BBC iPlayerTested Oct 2024

Hotspot Shield is a great choice for watching British television in France. In fact, it has specific servers for this exact task! With fast, reliable connection speeds, a 10 simultaneous connection allowance, and the abiility to access all kinds of online content, this is one of the most versatile VPN services on the market.

This VPN has its own proprietary protocol, named Catapult Hydra, which it claims is easier to audit and faster than OpenVPN over long-distance connections. The latest version of the apps also offers IKEv2 support, 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch for even greater security. Hotspot Shield doesn’t store any personally identifiable data after you’ve disconnected. Support staff are quick to respond and can be reached 24/7 via live chat or email.

Hotspot Shield offers apps for all major operating systems (iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux, and Windows). Further, it can be manually installed on a wide range of supported routers.

QUICK AND EASY STREAMING:Hotspot Shield has servers dedicated to accessing British platforms (like BBC iPlayer) abroad. Further, it includes a wide range of tools to help you do so safely. This security-conscious provider offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Why not read our complete Hotspot Shield review?

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer

There are a few key things to look out for when your goal is live streaming foreign TV. We carefully considered all of the following factors when deciding which VPNs are best for watching BBC iPlayer in France:

• British servers: Without a server in the UK, you can’t get the British IP address needed to access BBC iPlayer abroad. Ideally, there’d be a few locations to choose from since the closer the server, the better your speeds
• Streaming ability: Obviously, the goal is to securely access BBC iPlayer. However, we test potential recommendations against a variety of other British streaming services including ITVX, Disney+, Netflix UK, and NOW to make sure they can stream from a wide variety of services.
• Speeds: BBC iPlayer recommends speeds of 5 Mbps for live HD video. We perform regular speed testing to make sure our recommendations far exceed this.
• Security: We won’t recommend any service that doesn’t provide adequate protection from snoopers. At a minimum, all of the VPNs above offer 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a privacy-first logging policy.
• Value: Users can trust that the services we recommend are priced fairly. We consider things like free trials, money-back guarantees, long-term discounts, and how a VPN stacks up against similarly-priced rivals before deciding if it charges more than it’s worth.
• Ease of use: Our priority is making sure everyone has the tools to stay safe online. The VPNs above offer user-friendly apps, live chat-based support, and expansive help sections on their respective websites.

This isn’t actually the full extent of our testing! If you’d like to find out more, just read our guide to Comparitech’s VPN testing methodology.

Streaming iPlayer in France: FAQs