Living in France or heading there? A VPN is a must-have. It will prevent the French government, internet service providers, and cybercriminals from tracking you and accessing your internet traffic.
After testing over 70 VPNs, here are our top 5 best VPNs for France:
- NordVPN: The overall best VPN for France
- Surfshark: The most affordable VPN for France
- CyberGhost: The best France VPN for gaming and streaming
- ExpressVPN: Secure VPN for handling sensitive data in France
- Private Internet Internet (PIA): A bargain VPN for France
We chose NordVPN as the best France VPN because it has a large network of fast and reliable servers in France. It’s also a good choice for streaming, torrenting, and gaming in France.
Continue reading to learn details about NordVPN and find out the rest of our best France VPNs list.
France is a popular tourist destination, but it’s also a hotspot for cybercrime, especially identity theft. Alarmingly, the French National Assembly has passed laws allowing the police to monitor the phones of suspects. You never know when you might be caught in the crosshairs of such monitoring.
A virtual private network (VPN) is a must-have in France. It can change your IP address, hide your identity, and help you access French-based streaming services. After rigorously testing over 70 VPNs, we’ll reveal the five best France VPNs.
Need a quick recommendation? NordVPN is our top VPN for France. It has many servers in France that can unblock any streaming service, not to mention robust security features and reliable and fast speeds.
Which VPN is Best for France?
NordVPN is the best VPN provider for France because it has over 230 fast and reliable servers in Paris and Marseille. Other handy VPNs for France include Surfshark, ExpressVPN, PIA, and CyberGhost — which are all part of our best VPN list.
In the table below, we summarize each VPN’s main features. This will give you a bird’s eye view of how each performs against the other choices.
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | CyberGhost | Private Internet Access (PIA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of servers | 6000+ | 3200+ | thousands of | 11500+ | thousands of |
| Number of countries | 61 | 100 | 105 | 100 | 91 |
| Servers in France | 230+ | 76 | Undisclosed | 871 | Undisclosed |
| VPN server locations in France | Paris and Marseille | Paris, Bordeaux, and Marseille | Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg | Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg | Paris |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP |
| Price | $ 2.99 | $ 1.99 | $ 6.67 | $ 2.03 | $ 2.03 |
| Purchase | Get 69% Off NordVPN | Get 82% Off Surfshark | Get 49% Off ExpressVPN | Get 84% Off CyberGhost | Get 83% Off PIA |
In the section below, we do a deep dive into each VPN, highlighting how they can help you.
Note that all the VPN providers we chose come with important VPN features such as AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch to prevent your IP from being exposed. They also provide unlimited bandwidth to ensure you never run out of data.
1. NordVPN: The overall best VPN for France
Of all the 70+ VPNs we tested in France, NordVPN is the best. Regardless of the NordVPN French server we chose, it successfully spoofed our virtual location and gave us access to French TV and streaming platforms like Netflix France. Thanks to NordVPN’s fast VPN connection speeds, we didn’t experience any lag while browsing or streaming.
- NordVPN 24 months $2.99mth Deal View offer
- NordVPN 12 months $4.49mth View offer
- NordVPN Monthly $12.99mth View offer
Why we picked NordVPN as the best VPN for France:
- Over 230 VPN servers in France spread across Paris and Marseille, reducing the chances of server overcrowding
- The fastest VPN we have tested, with excellent download and upload speeds for streaming and uploading content
- Unblocking capabilities for French content like Canal+ and Ligue 1, plus major streaming services like Netflix
- Robust security features, including a double VPN to encrypt your internet traffic twice and dark web monitoring to prevent identity theft
- No-logs policy to ensure your data can’t be traced back to you in the event of a data breach or a French government subpoena
- 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you test the VPN extensively
NordVPN is the best VPN service for France for virtually any purpose because it’s a well-rounded VPN. Its AES encryption and DNS leak protection will ensure the government never gets wind of your VPN use.
If you’re a tourist and a content creator, you can bank on NordVPN’s fast speeds to upload your content without lags. And if you want to unblock streaming platforms like Netflix US while in France, NordVPN is a shoo-in because it can unblock all major streaming sites.
Has NordVPN piqued your interest? Take a more comprehensive look at NordVPN in our NordVPN review.
Pro Tip:
To enjoy the fastest speeds, switch from the default OpenVPN protocol to NordLynx. From our tests, NordLynx offers the best speeds for streaming, gaming, and uploading content.
2. Surfshark: The most affordable VPN for France
Are you on a tight budget? Surfshark is the best-value VPN. It offers a sizeable French server network, fast speeds, and a trove of advanced features at bargain prices. And despite its affordable price, Surfshark is one of the best VPNs in terms of security and streaming.
- Surfshark 24 months $1.99mth Deal View offer
- Surfshark 12 months $3.99mth View offer
- Surfshark 1 month $10.99mth View offer
Why we chose Surfshark:
- 76 French VPN servers in Paris, Bordeaux, and Marseille
- CleanWeb feature successfully blocks ads, trackers, cookie pop-ups, and malware
- Unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to use the VPN on as many devices as you want
- Camouflage mode lets you disguise your VPN traffic like regular traffic using the
- Beginner-friendly Linux app, which is one of the reasons it’s the best VPN for Linux
We recommend Surfshark if you’re traveling through France and will likely be using public WiFi at places like airports, coffee shops, and hotels. Surfshark has many unique safety tools, such as the rotating IP feature. When activated while connected to a French server, it will keep changing your IP address, although your location will still be France. This makes it hard for snoopers to track you.
Outside of this scenario, Surfshark is a great everyday VPN, as it can protect all your devices with a single subscription. You can try Surfshark for free by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Need more information about Surfshark? Read our exhaustive Surfshark review.
Pro Tip:
Instead of buying a Surfshark subscription all by yourself, team up with a few friends and family and split the bill. Since Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, you’ll all be able to use the VPN on as many devices as you want.
3. CyberGhost: The best France VPN for gaming and streaming
Looking for a cheap France VPN for your hobbies? We tested CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers for French channels such as Canal+, and it worked excellently. We could also play online games without any issues, so we can confidently say that CyberGhost is one of the best gaming VPNs on the market.
- CyberGhost 2 Years $2.03mth Deal View offer
- CyberGhost 6 Months $6.99mth View offer
- CyberGhost 1 Month $12.99mth View offer
Why we chose CyberGhost:
- Over 871 servers in France, making it the best choice for getting French IP addresses
- Streaming-optimized servers for Netflix France, Canal+, TF1, and other French-based platforms (can also watch Ligue 1)
- Up to seven simultaneous connections so you can protect your whole household
- Optimized gaming, streaming, and torrenting servers so you can avoid server congestion and ensure that you have access to the fastest speeds for all your activities
Opt for CyberGhost if you want to stream French TV channels. We also recommend CyberGhost if you want to play online games and download torrents while in France.
Test CyberGhost’s optimized servers using its 45-day money-back guarantee, which is the longest money-back offer from any premium VPN.
Learn more about CyberGhost in our CyberGhost review.
Pro Tip:
Use CyberGhost’s streaming optimized servers to unblock specific streaming services. For instance, unblock TF1 using the TF1-optimized server rather than a regular CyberGhost server. This gives you a higher chance of getting in.
4. ExpressVPN: Secure VPN for handling sensitive data in France
From our research, ExpressVPN has four French server locations, more than any other VPN on this list: Paris, Marseille, Strasbourg, and Alsace. This suggests that it has a good French server spread, although it doesn’t disclose the number of servers it has in France.
- ExpressVPN 12 Months $6.67mth Deal View offer
- ExpressVPN 6 Months $9.99mth View offer
- ExpressVPN Monthly $12.95mth View offer
Why we chose ExpressVPN:
- French servers in Paris, Marseille, Strasbourg, and Alsace let you get IP addresses from multiple locations in France
- Works with many router firmware, including DD-WRT, Linksys, and Asus, so you can protect all your devices with a single router VPN
- Obfuscation on all its servers, making it a good choice if you want to avoid anyone spying on you
- Fast and responsive customer service, including 24-hour live chat
Go for ExpressVPN if you regularly deal with sensitive information. We consider ExpressVPN a stealth VPN because it uses obfuscation on all its servers. It also uses RAM-only servers, which wipe off your data each time the servers reboot. This means there’ll likely be nothing to see about you even if someone hacks into ExpressVPN’s systems.
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which you can easily use to test the VPN service. ExpressVPN’s excellent customer service will make the process efficient.
Read our ExpressVPN review to learn about this premium VPN provider.
Pro Tip:
A smart way to know the fastest server available is to use ExpressVPN’s built-in speed test. That way, you can check server speeds and connect to the fastest one, without trial-and-error.
5. Private Internet Access (PIA): A bargain VPN for France
Private Internet Access is a secure VPN that gets the job done. We tested PIA’s servers with French channels like Canal+ and TF1, and it succeeded. We were able to stream without any blips. It’s not as reliable as the other options above, but its affordable price tag is a point in its favor.
- Private Internet Access (PIA) 2 Years (Plus 4 free months) 2.03mth Deal View offer
- Private Internet Access (PIA) 6 Months $7.50mth View offer
- Private Internet Access (PIA) Monthly $11.99mth View offer
Why we chose PIA:
- French servers in Paris so you can get a French IP address
- MACE, PIA’s built-in ad blocker, which also prevents device tracking
- Unlimited simultaneous connections so you can use as many devices as you want with just one subscription
- Allows torrenting on all its servers
We recommend PIA if you need an affordable VPN that you can share with friends and family. At $ 2.03 per month, its two-year plan is one of the cheapest around. Add that to the fact that you can use PIA on unlimited devices, and you have an excellent VPN on your hands.
And with its 30-day money-back guarantee, PIA is a great option for anyone who needs an everyday VPN for the whole household.
Explore PIA further in our full-length PIA review.
6. IPVanish: Useful VPN for France
IPVanish is a good VPN. Even if it didn’t crack our top five, we still recommend it for its security features and unblocking capabilities. We tested IPVanish’s Paris server to access Netflix France, and it got in on the first try.
- IPVanish 2 years (Plus 3 months free) $2.99mth Deal View offer
- IPVanish 1 year (Plus 3 months free) $3.59mth View offer
- IPVanish 1 month $12.99mth View offer
Why we chose IPVanish:
- Three French server locations in Bordeaux, Marseille, and Paris
- Unlimited simultaneous connections, perfect if you want to share your VPN connection with others
- Unblocks Netflix France and other French-specific streaming platforms
- Allows torrenting on its servers
IPVanish is a decent option for France. It’s not exactly the most spectacular VPN, but it can unblock streaming services and download P2P torrents with ease. You can enjoy IPVanish using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Learn more about IPVanish in our IPVanish review.
7. PrivadoVPN: Free VPN with a French server location
PrivadoVPN is a free VPN and a good choice for users who need a French IP address. We tested PrivadoVPN’s free French server against Canal+, and it got in easily. However, we needed multiple tries before recording success with Netflix France.
- PrivadoVPN 24 Months $1.11mth Deal View offer
- PrivadoVPN 12 Months $1.33mth View offer
- PrivadoVPN 1 Month $10.99mth View offer
Why we chose PrivadoVPN:
- Free server location in France, so you can get a French IP address without paying a dime
- Cheap one-year plan, ideal if you need a VPN for the medium term
- Unblocks Netflix France and Canal+, making it a good pick for streaming
- Wards off ads and phishing attempts through its threat protection feature
We recommend PrivadoVPN if you don’t have money to purchase a VPN. The free plan gives you access to servers in 12 countries, including France. It also comes with 10GB of free data each month. We consider PrivadoVPN as one of the best free VPNs around.
Its 30-day money-back guarantee will also let you test the premium version if the free VPN doesn’t work for you.
Dig deep into PrivadoVPN in our PrivadoVPN review.
How We Chose the Best VPN Services for France
Here are the main factors we considered in choosing the best VPNs for France:
- Does it have servers in France? We choose VPNs with a large server spread and server count in France. We also checked if the VPNs had specialized streaming servers in the country.
- Can it unblock websites and streaming services? Our best VPNs for France can unblock all major streaming services. We could access Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer with no issues.
- Is it fast? A slow VPN will leave you with lags and buffering wheels while streaming or browsing.
- Does it offer robust security features? We expect the best VPNs to have AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. We also look for extras like double VPN, malware/tracker blockers, and dark web monitoring.
- How does it handle user data? A good VPN for France should stick to a strict no-logs policy. We have more confidence in VPNs that operate RAM-only servers and are based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions.
Why You Need a VPN for France
Whether you’re a resident or a visitor to France, you need a VPN for the following reasons:
- To access geo-restricted French content: Content from streaming platforms like Netflix France, France TV, and TF1 is only available to people with a French IP address. A VPN will also help you unblock torrenting services.
- To hide your identity and ensure anonymity: The French government has approved a bill that allows security agencies to spy on suspects. There’s no telling if you might end up being spied on.
- To avoid identity theft and cybercrime: A VPN will ensure that your identity and location are hidden, even from internet service providers. A VPN is particularly useful if you use Public WiFi in France.
VPNs to Avoid
There are VPNs with French servers that are not worth using. Free VPNs, for example, usually present security risks. Let’s highlight a few of these services.
| VPN Provider | Why You Should Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Hola VPN | If you use the free version, your idle bandwidth might be sold to premium users. This could lead to your IP being linked to bad activity. |
| Tuxler VPN | The free plan offers incredibly slow speeds. You’ll experience lags even while surfing the internet. |
| Touch VPN | Touch VPN tracks your data and sells it to advertisers. |
| Psiphon VPN | This VPN allows third parties access to your data. |
Conclusion: Connect to the Best VPN Provider for France
A VPN is essential for keeping your devices secure. It’s also helpful for unblocking major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus. Additionally, VPNs can grant French IP addresses, so you can access France-exclusive websites and apps.
After reviewing multiple VPNs, NordVPN stands out as the best VPN for France. This reliable VPN has a large network of French servers, fast connections, and a trove of security features. And if you’re short on cash, you can test out the VPN by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here are some other helpful posts on connecting to a VPN in specific countries:
- The Best Free Europe VPNs: Get a Free European IP Address
- Best VPN for Russia: Reclaim Your Internet Freedom
- Best VPN for Qatar: Top VPNs to Keep You Safe in Qatar
If you have a few more questions about the best VPNs for France, check out the FAQs below. Click on each question to reveal the answer.
NordVPN is the top VPN for France because it has over 230 reliable and fast servers in France. This leaves you spoiled for choice when looking for a French IP address. It’s also a great choice to unblock streaming services and offers top-notch encryption and leak protection to protect your internet traffic.
To learn more about this premium VPN provider, check out our comprehensive NordVPN review.
The best French VPN is NordVPN. To get access to NordVPN, do the following:
- Visit NordVPN’s website and subscribe to a plan. We recommend the two-year plan if you want value for money.
- Download and install the NordVPN app for your device.
- Open the app and connect to any of the French servers.
- You should now have a French IP address.
NordVPN has dedicated IP address locations in France, specifically Paris and Marseille.
Using a VPN is legal in France. This means that you won’t face any penalties or fines when you use a VPN in France. However, some specific websites or apps might restrict VPNs, so take note of any such limitations before using a VPN.
