Best VPNs for France in 2026: Stream French content anywhere

Have you ever tried streaming your favorite shows from France when abroad? Getting the “not available in your region” error message is frustrating. I know how that feels. Whether you’re a native wanting to safeguard your online activities or an expat yearning for a slice of home through French TV and streaming, I’ve got you covered with my list of the best France VPNs.

Despite France’s strong commitment to privacy, there are still many reasons to consider using a VPN to safely and securely browse the web. Using a VPN will also unlock geo-restricted content on sites like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. For French residents traveling abroad, using a VPN is also an excellent option if you wish to continue streaming local premium services such as Eurosport, Canal+, and Play TV.

Come with me as I break down the best VPNs for France. If you’re pressed for time, here’s a summary of my recommendations:

Best VPNs for France:

1. NordVPN My #1 choice VPN for France. Easy-to-use option with fast servers. Strong privacy policy and security to keep your online activities private. Unblocks Netflix and other popular streaming sites. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for France.
2. Surfshark Best budget France VPN. A privacy-first VPN that boasts excellent unblocking ability, a no-logs policy, and plenty of security options.
3. Total VPN Fast servers in France and 90+ other countries. Easy-to-use apps with strong encryption and effective leak protection. Great value subscriptions.
4. ProtonVPN Impressive speeds and gives advanced users plenty of customization options. Works with france.tv and many similar services.
5. ExpressVPN Plenty of French servers optimized for speed making it an excellent streaming VPN. Unblocks most major streaming content sites like Netflix France.
6. IPVanish Perfect for torrenters and Kodi users who need a lightweight, remote-control-friendly solution. Excellent security and decent speed.
7. CyberGhost A huge international server network, perfect for a French IP address. Fast and secure, perfect for streaming French TV channels.
8. PureVPN Fast servers, strong security tools, and the ability to access a huge range of streaming platforms. Perfect for anyone traveling in France.
9. Private Internet Access Servers in 91+ countries. Good speeds with unlimited bandwidth and no connection limit. Includes a strict no-logs policy and 256-bit AES encryption.

Best VPNs for France: My hands-on review

I’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN — my #1 choice for France.

My criteria for the best France VPNs

There are a huge number of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all offer the same level of service. To select the best French VPNs, I tested them in the following areas:

• Speed: VPNs that are too slow are a real pain to use. To find the fastest, I carried out multiple speed tests using each provider’s servers in France.
• Server availability: I scored providers on how many server locations they had in France, as well as how many other countries they had a presence in.
• Security and privacy: I used 16 different security and privacy criteria for ranking providers. I only included those that scored highly.
• Ease of use: I looked for providers that were easy to use and scored highly against 10 related metrics.
• Streaming: I tested providers’ streaming ability with both French and international platforms, as well as evaluating them against six other streaming-related metrics.

The above is just a summary of my testing process. For a more expansive explanation and an analysis of the results, see the methodology section later in the article. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed me.

The best VPNs for France

Here are some in-depth reviews of the highest-rated VPNs for France:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2026

NordVPN is my top recommended VPN for France. This veteran provider has more than 8,000 servers in 126+ countries. These are all RAM-only, meaning they cannot store data long-term. In any case, the provider retains no data on its users’ visits when connected to its servers, nor the time, date, and duration of each session. In at least one case, its servers have been confiscated, but there was no stored data that authorities could use to pinpoint users. The provider has also had multiple third-party audits to independently verify its no-logs claims.

NordVPN has more than 300 servers in France, spread across two locations. I found it easy to locate the available servers using the country list, search function, or map.

You’re in the right place if you’re looking for blazing-fast speeds in France. NordVPN didn’t fall below 210 Mbps in a single one of my tests. Overall, its average speed was 220.25 Mbps.

In practical terms, this means you’ll be able to stream live or 4K video without interruption, download a 1GB file in about 36 seconds, or share your connection without worrying about a drop in performance.

NordVPN is great for viewing region-locked streaming services from abroad. I successfully used it with Hulu and BBC iPlayer during testing. It worked with the French libraries of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

If you want to stream using a VPN-incompatible device, then NordVPN’s smart DNS service can help you access US-only content.

The provider has a range of specialty servers designed for double VPN, Tor over VPN, and obfuscation. Its obfuscated servers are available in 16 countries — one of which is France. They are useful if you’re trying to get online in a restrictive country like the UAE or China. If there are no obfuscated servers in the country you want to connect to, enabling the NordWhisper protocol will help your traffic evade VPN blocks.

If you’re connecting from a relatively free country, the NordLynx protocol is the faster option. It has the added bonus of allowing you to enable post-quantum encryption. This secures any captured data against future decryption by quantum computers.

Other features include a kill switch, split tunneling for apps, and built-in leak protection.

Automatic public Wi-Fi protection is available if you’re traveling in France and don’t want to unknowingly connect to a rogue Wi-Fi hotspot.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV. They are easy to use — even for those with no VPN experience. NordVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections. It’s also compatible with many home routers.

BEST VPN FOR FRANCE:NordVPN is my top choice VPN. Extremely high speeds make it an ideal choice for streaming and torrenting. Connects up to 10 devices simultaneously. Provides a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out risk-free.

Read Comparitech’s full NordVPN review.

---

2. Surfshark

Surfshark has more than 4,500 servers across 100+ countries. This includes France, where it has more than 70 servers in Paris, Bordeaux, and Marseille.

Users can also create multi-hop connections, where traffic is routed through a server in a different country before reaching the French server. This increases security but at a cost to download speeds.

Surfshark was a solid performer in my speed tests, and fast enough to handle any day-to-day task, from live streaming TF1 to torrenting.

It averaged 218.99 Mbps across three tests, with less than 10 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. Whether you’re hoping to watch French TV abroad or play online games, this VPN is up to the task.

The provider is also a great choice for streaming. I found that it worked well with French streaming services as well as the more stubborn international platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

As Surfshark has no connection limit, you’ll be able to stream on every device you own simultaneously. Like NordVPN, Surfshark also has a smart DNS feature that’s useful for streaming on games consoles.

The provider uses 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks to keep traffic secure.

Other features include split tunneling for websites and apps, an ad, tracker, and malware blocker, and the option to have your IP address rotated while connected. If you want your IP address to stay the same between one session and the next, you can use Surfshark’s range of static IP addresses.

If you’re connecting from a restrictive country, the NoBorders mode will obfuscate your traffic so that it can bypass any VPN blocks.

My favorite feature, however, is the Alternative ID generator. This allowed me to create an entirely new persona, complete with a name, date of birth, and address. I found it handy when using online services that pressed me for personal information that I’d rather not give them. The service can also generate a proxy email address if needed.

While connected, Surfshark doesn’t log any data that could be traced back to you. Its no-log claims have been verified by independent auditors. The provider only uses RAM-only servers — adding further reassurance that user activity data isn’t being stored.

Subscriptions are competitively priced, with the cheapest two-year plans costing the equivalent of $2.19 a month. Privacy-conscious users have the option of paying in Bitcoin, Ripple, or Ethereum.

Surfshark has apps for iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. All of these have a full GUI that’s easy for new users to navigate productively. The software also works with select network routers, although these have to be configured manually.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark lets you connect an unlimited number of devices, plus it unblocks major streaming platforms from abroad. With high speeds, powerful security features, a low price, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, this service is a great choice.

Read Comparitech’s full review of Surfshark here.

---

3. Total VPN

Total VPN has servers in Paris that will give you an IP address in France. It also has a presence in a further 90+ countries, including Russia and China.

The provider works with a wide variety of streaming platforms. I had no issues watching CANAL+ or Netflix FR during testing. Total VPN was also able to access Netflix,  Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Disney Plus.

Speeds were impressively quick while connected to Total VPN’s servers in France. The average download speed of 210.08 Mbps was more than 18 Mbps faster than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers. In practice, this means you’re unlikely to notice any slowdown while connected, which is about as good as you could hope for.

Total VPN’s apps — which are available for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and tvOS — are easy-to-use and come with built-in leak protection and a kill switch. The provider uses 256-bit AES encryption and the speedy WireGuard protocol by default.

One of the best things about Total VPN is its price. A one-year subscription costs the equivalent of $1.59 a month and includes free ad-blocking and antivirus software (Total AdBLock and TotalAV).

STRONG ENCRYPTION:TOTAL VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption and comes with built-in leak protection. High-speed servers for France and low-cost subscriptions with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full Total VPN review.

---

4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN provides access to more than 13,000 servers in 122+ countries, giving it one of the largest networks available. Users can choose a server straight from the dashboard using either the map, search bar, or country list.

The provider has almost 300 servers in France, and I appreciated the option to choose between individual servers rather than have one allocated to me. It means I can easily try other servers if my first choice happens to be a little slow.

In addition to its regular servers, the provider has Tor over VPN servers for quick access to the Tor network. It also has hundreds of its own servers, which are housed in secure data centers that the provider owns and operates.

These Secure Core servers provide an additional stop for traffic that needs additional protection on the way to a regular VPN server. If the regular VPN server is somehow compromised, the Secure Core server prevents third parties from being able to discover users’ true IP addresses.

ProtonVPN is another provider with exceptionally high performance. This is great news, considering that only paying customers can use its full speeds. In my tests, I recorded an average speed of 206.68 Mbps when using ProtonVPN’s French servers.

This means it’s suitable for torrenting, watching TV, gaming, video calling, or really anything else you have in mind.

This service stands out from the crowd by offering a high level of customization. For instance, you can configure split tunneling or port forwarding functionality, block ads and trackers automatically, or activate an accelerator feature that boosts your speeds even further. There’s also optional DNS and IPv6 leak protection.

Users can choose between the WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Stealth protocols. As its name suggests, the Stealth protocol disguises VPN traffic so that it looks like regular internet traffic — thus helping it evade detection.

ProtonVPN doesn’t keep logs, has been independently audited, and uses effectively uncrackable encryption to keep you safe. There are also multiple anonymous payment options for users who’d like to register without revealing any identifiable information.

The provider — which has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux — allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections. It can also be manually installed on a wide range of different router firmware.

Subscriptions aren’t the cheapest, but you do get a lot for your money. You can get a taste of the service by trying out the free plan, though this restricts your server choice. A better option is to sign up for a subscription and take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it, just make sure to cancel within 30 days, and you’ll get a refund.

GREAT SECURITY TOOLKIT:ProtonVPN comes packed with security features so you can browse the web without worrying about who might be watching. Better still, it offers very fast speeds, strong streaming abilities, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Check out Comparitech’s complete ProtonVPN review.

---

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has around 3,000 servers in its network, which covers 105 countries. In France, it has servers in four cities. Connections are quick and easy to establish, partially thanks to the provider’s homegrown Lightway protocol.

ExpressVPN is excellent at unblocking a wide range of streaming platforms. In my tests, it worked with everything from BBC iPlayer and Netflix, through to France TV and TF1. Its MediaStreamer tool can help devices that don’t natively support VPN software access geo-restricted content.

ExpressVPN has a stated policy of not storing any user logs except for “dates (not times) when connected to our service, choice of server locations, and the total amount of data transferred per day”. Furthermore, it uses RAM-only servers throughout its network and has undergone independent audits to confirm its privacy claims.

In my speed tests, ExpressVPN was a little slower than most of the other VPNs. Nevertheless, it was still more than fast enough for everyday tasks like streaming and gaming. In fact, its average speed of 169.35 Mbps means that you could stream and game at the same time without issue.

ExpressVPN doesn’t have quite as many features as some providers in this list, but it does cover everything the average user needs. There’s a kill switch; an ad, tracker, and malware blocker; an adult-site-blocker; and a split-tunneling option that allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which use a direct, unencrypted connection.

The provider is a great option if you’re connecting from a country such as China, which tries to block VPN usage. This is because the software automatically obfuscates all traffic rather than relying on the user to enable a stealth function.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV. These are all easy to use, thanks to ExpressVPN’s well-designed dashboard and the simple check-box control over features.

In keeping with its overall user-friendliness, the provider has its own router app. This is essentially custom firmware that users can switch to their existing firmware to use the VPN across their home network. It’s much easier than trying to configure a connection manually, which can easily go wrong.

The high pricing of ExpressVPN was a common complaint in the past, so I was glad to see that they’ve introduced different pricing tiers. The available plans are Basic for $3.49/month, Advanced for $4.49/month, and Pro for $7.49/month. Even though these costs remain higher than many competitors’, it’s a move toward better affordability. And for a completely free option, their new EventVPN plan is available.

FAST, SECURE CONNECTIONS:ExpressVPN is a speedy, privacy-focused service. Excels at unblocking French streaming channels with its entire French network of servers. Hard to beat on privacy and security. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee with all plans.

Read Comparitech’s full review of ExpressVPN.

---

6. IPVanish

IPVanish is one of the few VPN providers that physically owns the majority of its server network, making it a valuable ally in the quest to maintain anonymity on the web.

It has approximately 3,200 servers in more than 140 locations. Users can choose a location from the map on the app’s dashboard or go to the location page for a more finely tuned choice.

Using the drop-down menus next to each location, I was able to see the available servers for a particular city and choose between them based on their relative load and ping time. I found this particularly useful when gaming, as it meant I could reduce the potential for lag.

In my tests using IPVanish’s servers in France, my speeds never dropped below 200 Mbps. The overall average was an impressive 208.8 Mbps.

There was a minimal degree of variability, too, meaning whether you use the service at noon or night, you can expect the same level of performance.

The VPN works well with a range of streaming platforms. I was able to access Netflix, Disney Plus, and Hulu, as well as platforms in France and Eurosport. The provider is also a good option for torrenting and makes my list of the best VPNs for torrenting.

The provider keeps no records or logs about user browsing history except when people register for the first time. Independent auditors have checked these claims.

IPVanish uses 256-bit encryption and has the WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 connection protocols available. Users connecting with OpenVPN have the Scramble function available to them. This can help disguise traffic so that it isn’t noticed and blocked on restrictive networks.

Split tunneling is available for apps and domains, and there’s an ad, tracker, and malware blocker to keep your browsing clean. Other features include public Wi-Fi protection, a kill switch, and leak protection.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This provider allows unlimited device connections, so you can use as many apps as you like simultaneously. Connections can be configured manually for Linux and select routers.

Basic subscriptions start at the equivalent of $2.19 a month. The Advanced plan costs $3.29 a month and includes an additional 1TB of cloud storage and a secure, sandboxed browser.

VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:IPVanish offers strong privacy and excellent security with a huge number of IPs and servers plus additional protection against DNS leaks. Also popular with Kodi and torrent users. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full review of IPVanish here.

---

7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost, which is based in privacy-friendly Romania, offers robust encryption, fast speeds, and excellent customer support.

It has a large network, comprising more than 11,000 servers in 100 countries. This includes France, where it has approximately 400 servers in Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg.

Notably, CyberGhost also has lists of servers for gaming, torrenting, and streaming. I found the streaming servers the most useful as they list the particular platforms they’re optimized for.

During testing, I used these servers to access everything from Netflix and Amazon Prime France through to Canal+ and France TV.

When it comes to speed, CyberGhost performed solidly, with an overall average of 188.31 Mbps. This was a little slower than the combined average speeds of the other tested providers, but still more than fast enough to stream seven 4K videos at the same time.

This provider secures all web traffic with 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, an internet kill switch, and DNS leak protection.

It does not store user data of any nature, including IP addresses. Several third-party audits have confirmed this. The provider issues quarterly transparency reports that detail any external requests for its users’ information.

Additional security features include an ad blocker, anti-malware defense, and anti-tracking. Users traveling in France can set up public Wi-Fi protection. The provider also has options for tailoring the launch process.

The Smart Rules section of the app allows users to specify an app that should launch when CyberGhost is first started. Alternatively, users can make CyberGhost launch and connect when they open a particular app. Linking a favorite geo-restricted streaming service to the appropriate streaming-optimized server is a good use of this feature.

CyberGhost has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. A single subscription allows for seven devices to connect concurrently. The software is compatible with some home routers, but connections must be configured manually.

Subscriptions start at the equivalent of $2.19 a month for a two-year plan. If you want to try the service out, plans include a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

beginner friendly apps:CyberGhost has a simple set-up. Works well in France and for unblocking French content with no speed caps. Good option if you are looking for a fast, reliable connection and an easy-to-use interface. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full review of CyberGhost.

---

8. PureVPN

PureVPN operates roughly 6,000 servers in 65+ countries. This includes France, where it has servers in the country’s capital, Paris.

In addition to its list of locations, PureVPN has a list of what it calls ‘shortcuts’. These are servers that work with particular streaming platforms and, when clicked, will establish a VPN connection and automatically launch the streaming platform’s website.

There are shortcuts to the French versions of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and the option of creating shortcuts of your own. In practice, I had no problems streaming any of the platforms linked to the shortcut servers.

Speeds are certainly competitive. In my tests, I recorded an average speed of 181.49 Mbps, with less than 10 Mbps of variance throughout.

In simple terms, this service is fast enough to support an entire family’s browsing habits with no noticeable lag.

PureVPN has lightweight apps with a clean, beginner-friendly design. Even the Linux app has a full GUI, though the purists can still use the command-line version if they wish.

Features include a tracker-blocker, a kill switch, app-based split tunneling, and leak protection. PureVPN has a strict no-logs policy in place, which has been verified multiple times by external auditors.

This provider supports the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. There’s no stealth mode as traffic is obfuscated by default, which is great news if you need to connect from China or another similarly restrictive country.

PureVPN apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions to get the service running on just about any router.

Subscriptions are priced at the lower end of the spectrum. The five-year plan is particularly good value, costing the equivalent of $2.14 a month. If you’re unsure about committing for that long, you can try the service out for up to 31 days and get a full refund if you don’t like it.

The more expensive Plus and Max plans get you a file encryption tool, password manager, and dark web monitoring. Port forwarding and a dedicated IP address are available as add-ons to any plan.

SAFE AND AFFORDABLE:PureVPN is a novice-friendly service that doesn’t compromise on security. With fast French servers and exceptional streaming ability, there’s almost nothing it can’t do. Every paid subscription includes a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full review of PureVPN to learn more.

---

9. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) has servers covering 91 countries. In some of these — Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK, US, Sweden, Italy, Finland, Canada, Australia, and Japan — there are streaming-optimized servers available.

Using the streaming-optimized servers, I was able to watch the US version of Netflix and stream BBC iPlayer without issue. Using a server in France, I could watch national streaming services Canal+ and France TV.

PIA doesn’t throttle your bandwidth, and allows unlimited device connections. This means you can stream from as many devices as you like or share an account with friends and family.

Apps are particularly easy to use, with a nifty interface that hides all the connection information without making it feel inaccessible. Pressing the ‘down’ symbol expands the app so that users are given access to the quick settings, the snooze option, and details such as the protocol and encryption being used.

In my tests, Private Internet Access had the lowest average speed of any provider. However, at 135.67 Mbps, this VPN is still faster than the majority of other providers on the market – it’s just that the level of competition was so high. To its credit, it was the most consistent service I saw, with less than 5 Mbps of variance across all of my tests.

PIA routes your internet traffic through a 256-bit AES-encrypted tunnel by default, though it allows users to reduce the key length to 128-bit if they want or need a faster connection.

Obfuscation is available with the help of a Shadowsocks proxy. Note, however, that this won’t work for users connecting from China.

PIA is one of the few providers that allows port forwarding, making it a good option for torrenters who want more efficient seeding and leaching. The split tunneling feature allows users to choose which apps and domains use the VPN tunnel, and which connect with a regular internet connection.

Users will also benefit from features including a kill switch, an ad, tracker, and malware blocker, and leak protection.

The provider takes user privacy seriously and doesn’t keep records of users’ IP addresses, browsing history, session timestamps, or bandwidth consumption. These claims have been independently audited.

Users who want to sign up can do so with nothing more than an email address and a valid payment method — which includes cryptocurrency. Plans are excellent value, with a three-year subscription costing the equivalent of $2.03 a month.

SERVERS WORLDWIDE:Private Internet Access offers fast, unthrottled connections, and servers in 91+ countries including France. Lightweight apps with 24/7 support included. No device connection limit. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full Private Internet Access review.

---

Using a free VPN for France

I understand the lure of using a free VPN for France. And a casual search will turn up plenty of them, but I do not recommend using them.

Technically, such services don’t charge you any money for usage, but that doesn’t mean they’re free by any yardstick. They’re businesses too — meaning they need to make money in order to stay afloat, and that means that you become the product. As such, they’ll bombard you with all sorts of nasty advertisements and sell your data to third-party companies for monetary compensation.

Contracting a malware infection is a definite possibility, and forget about getting the same speed or customer service that paid VPN options offer. In the long run, you’re better off spending a few dollars and getting exemplary service — trust us, it’s worth it.

How to get a French IP address

If you’re a French resident who’s planning on living abroad for a bit, it’s likely that a bunch of local content will remain inaccessible if you log in from a foreign country. One way to circumvent this issue is by connecting to a VPN recommended above — all you have to do is select a French server before opening your internet browser, and you should be good to go.

The advantages of getting a French IP address also go beyond accessing geo-restricted content. Your search engine will assume you’re in France — so it’ll show you the results most relevant to you and in your local language if you prefer. Some French banking and financial institutions also require a local IP before allowing internet access to online services.

How to test if your IP address has been changed to France

You can use a website like http://www.ip-tracker.org to determine if your IP address has changed to France. Simply type in your IP address on the website, and it will tell you what country your IP address is currently located in.

The future of the French internet

France is often regarded as pro-privacy. For example, French regulators imposed a fine of US$166,777 on Facebook purportedly because of concerns over the way it tracks user data “without legal cover”. Authorities added that the social media leviathan didn’t offer users sufficient warning about the methods it uses to extract personal information about their browsing habits.

In 2015, following the terrorist attacks in Paris, President François Hollande declared a nationwide state of emergency that granted authorities expanded powers, including house arrests, raids, and searches of electronic devices without prior judicial warrants. Although the formal state of emergency ended in 2017, several of its security measures were later incorporated into ordinary law through subsequent counter-terrorism legislation.

That same year, France adopted the Intelligence Act (Loi relative au renseignement), much of which was approved by the Constitutional Council. The law created a legal framework allowing intelligence services to deploy a range of surveillance techniques, including metadata collection and the use of algorithmic monitoring tools sometimes referred to as “black boxes,” which require internet service providers to flag suspicious patterns of online behaviour. The law also established an oversight authority, the National Commission for the Control of Intelligence Techniques (CNCTR), to review surveillance authorisations.

Since then, the surveillance framework has been amended and, in some cases, partially restricted by court rulings. The Constitutional Council has struck down or limited certain expansions deemed disproportionate. However, critics argue that significant concerns remain regarding transparency, proportionality, and the breadth of executive powers. Civil liberties organisations continue to warn that the system enables far-reaching digital surveillance that may affect ordinary residents, not only individuals suspected of serious wrongdoing.

International bodies have also raised concerns. The United Nations Human Rights Committee previously cautioned that aspects of France’s surveillance regime grant broad powers for highly intrusive monitoring based on wide-ranging objectives. It emphasised that any interference with private life must comply with principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality under international human rights law.

Under current legislation, intelligence agencies may authorise a range of techniques, including real-time metadata collection, interception of communications, the installation of surveillance devices in private premises, and certain forms of remote data capture, subject to executive approval and review by the CNCTR. Data retention periods vary depending on the category of data involved, and some categories of metadata may be stored for several years.

Advocacy organisations such as Privacy International and La Quadrature du Net have consistently criticised the framework, arguing that executive authorisation — rather than prior judicial approval — remains the default in many cases. They contend that the cumulative effect of these laws represents a significant expansion of state surveillance powers since 2015.

These ongoing issues make a compelling argument for using a VPN when browsing the web in France. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server, thereby shielding its content and destination from internet service providers, hackers, and government agencies like the NSA.

Watching French television when abroad

The use of a VPN can also unlock French television. This means French residents traveling abroad can obfuscate their location by signing up for a VPN (we recommend one of the paid ones on this list), selecting a server in France, clearing the cookies in their web browser, and then accessing the individual streaming links.

The following channels allow free access to anyone with a French IP address. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and more may be added:

• Euronews
• France24
• TV5 Monde
• Arte
• RTBF
• BFM TV
• LCP
• Eurosport
• Pluzz
• TF1
• M6
• France2
• France3
• France4
• Gulli
• PlayTV

VPNs for France: FAQ