Quick guide: How to watch France TV from anywhere
We have plenty of information to share with you about France.TV and VPNs. But if you’re in a rush and can’t wait to start watching French TV, here’s a quick set of instructions.
- Sign up with a top-notch VPN provider. ExpressVPN is the best option in this case.
- Launch your VPN app or client and log in.
- Choose a server in the VPN network located in France.
- Go to France.TV, sign-up, and enjoy the content you want!
Here is a quick list of our top VPNs to watch in France TV
Here is a list of our best VPNs that support watching French TV from anywhere in the world.
- ExpressVPN – It has a stable, fast speed, efficiency, and unlimited bandwidth, over 3000+ servers in 94+ nations, and five server locations in France. It also has 24/7 customer support services and is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- PrivateInternetAccess – A well-maintained VPN service with an extensive servers network. It has effective ad-blocker and several servers in France. Allows up to ten connections at once.
- Surfshark – This is a pocket-friendly service with over 3200+ servers in 100 countries and three servers in France. It also has excellent security features like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, CleanWeb, and a rigid no-login policy.
How does a VPN help to unblock France TV Live Online?
France.TV Live is meant for the use of French residents only. If you’re not within France, the platform’s servers will know because of your IP address and will prevent you from watching any content.
France is an influential country regarding culture around the world. On top of that, about 30 million French people live outside the country. So, there is plenty of demand for French TV content outside the country.
Since the video platform’s servers figure your location out according to your IP address, if you can show them an IP address from France (even if you’re away), they will think you’re a domestic user and treat you accordingly.
Good VPNs will always hide your IP address from the rest of the world. Instead, they assign you a new IP address, depending on the server you choose in their VPN network. So, when you connect through your VPN’s network using a server located in France, you’ll get a French IP address. From that moment until you disconnect, you are in France as far as the rest of the internet is concerned.
So, all you need is a VPN. But not any VPN will do. It has to be fast, reliable, and secure, with plenty of French servers. Thus, the VPN will allow you to unblock France TV content wherever you are, as long as you pick a VPN server in France. Not only France.TV, you could unblock CANAL Plus, French Open, and more once you have got a VPN.
Top VPNs for France TV: At a glance
| ExpressVPN | Private Internet Access (PIA) | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg speed | 149Mbps | 117Mbps | 120Mbps |
| Popular sites unblocked | 96% | 94% | 89% |
| Simultaneous connections | 8 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Supported devices | Windows, iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux | Windows, MacOS, Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Routers |
| Cheapest deal | $6.67/month | $1.99/month | $2.29/month |
5 best VPNs to see France.TV online anywhere
VPNs are like any other digital product. There is a vast and overcrowded market with a handful of excellent VPNs and another handful of terrible options on the other side of the spectrum. Then, the rest fall somewhere in the middle. However, if you want to unblock video streaming websites regularly, you must have one of the best VPNs.
We’ve compiled a list of the five best VPNs you can use to watch France.TV Live, wherever you are. These vendors are the best in the business. Their server networks are expansive, their servers are fast and reliable, they have top-notch security features, and they offer additional features useful for many tasks besides watching French TV.
1. ExpressVPN
Our top recommended VPN for watching France.tv. With top-notch features the service make easy for you to access France.tv anywhere in the world.
Over 3,000 speedy-VPN servers scattered in more than 105+ countries globally
Government-level encryption AES-256-bit
Strict policy for no DNS/IPv6 leaks
Allows P2P sharing on all servers
Kill switch is really effective
Implements no-log policy
Connects up to five connection at once per account
Refund policy of 30 days
Pros
- Blazing-fast servers
- Reliable customer support
- Top-notch features
Cons
- Lil costier
ExpressVPN is the biggest name in the VPN world and our top choice for watching France.TV Live outside France. The network includes three French servers (2 in Paris and 1 in Strasbourg). Each of them can unblock France.TV and get you a smooth, buffer-free streaming experience at any resolution.
However, the network has over three thousand other servers scattered around 90+ countries. This vendor’s servers’ ability to bypass geo-blocks means that you can see any video streaming service from any country –and, yes, that includes US Netflix.
Your account allows you to connect five devices simultaneously to the VPN, and a 30-day money back guarantee is available.
2. Private Internet Access (PIA)
An affordable and extensive-server network for unblocking France.tv anywhere in the world.
Above than 35,000 servers available in 84 countries
P2P enabled servers
Double encryption (AES 128/256-bit)
Connects up to ten devices at once
Kill switch mode by default
Solid safety for DNS and IP leaks
Generous pay-back policy of 30 days
Pros
- Unblocks major streaming platforms effortlessly
- Fast installation process
- Allows anonymous/crypto payments
Cons
- No whitelisting / app exclusion
Private Internet Access (PIA) has the largest server network in the VPN-verse. Thirty thousand servers around the globe can’t fail to have plenty of France-based servers that will help you stream all the content you would like from France.TV Live.
While video streaming is not where PIA shines most, it’s good enough for France.TV Live platform. The speeds at PIA are slower than those of our previous two options. However, they are still fast enough to support video streams without problems.
3. Surfshark
Best affordable VPN with premium services to unblock France.tv in any country globally.
Above 3,200 VPN servers scattered in 65 countries
Military-grade encryption; AES-256-bit
Allows P2P sharing on all servers
Kill switch mode is auto-enabled
No data keeping
Multi-hop encryption
Connects as much devices as you want per account
Refund policy of 30 days
Pros
- In-budget long term plans
- Unblocks France.tv
- Reliable security and privacy
Cons
- Free trial only available for few users
Surfshark is the latest market disruptor in VPN-land. The young vendor offers a service that can rival NordVPN or ExpressVPN for a fraction of the cost.
It’s fast, reliable, and secure, allowing unlimited network connections to every user.
Surfshark’s network has five servers in France. However, two of them are specialized in double VPN connections. These are more secure servers, but the extra security comes at the cost of speed. So they are probably not the ones you should choose to unlock France.TV Live outside France.
The remaining three servers (Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux) are fast enough for any task you want, video streaming included.
This provider is often called a “budget VPN” because the subscription fees are so low. But don’t be deceived. It is the most cost-effective service you’ll find on the Internet. In addition, it’s versatile, powerful, stable, and secure.
4. NordVPN
One of the best VPNs overall for any online task. With its great unblocking capabilities you can have access to France.tv effortlessly.
Over 6,000 secure-VPN servers available in 60 countries
Servers are P2P optimized
Solid AES-256-bit encryption
No data logging
Automatic kill switch mode
Connects up to six devices simultaneously per subscription
Strong protection against DNS/IPv6 leak
Multi-Hop feature
Refund your money within 30 days
Pros
- Robust encryption
- Super-fast connection speed
- In-budget
Cons
- Servers still use hard drive storage
NordVPN is also one of the best VPNs you can use to see France.TV Live.
It is one of the industry’s most versatile, fast, and advanced VPNs. The server network is vast, boasting 230+ servers in France alone. Each one is optimized for streaming, so you will be hard-pressed to find another VPN in a better position to give you the best possible experience with France.TV Live.
It offers six simultaneous connections for every account and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. IPVanish
A well-established VPN service that goes decently-well while unblocking France.tv outside France.
Over 2,200 securre-VPN servers in over 75 countries
P2P sharing (torrenting)
Kill switch feature is really effective
AES 256-bit military-standard encryption
Solid policy for zero-logging
No limit for simultaneous connections
Pau-back policy of 30 days
Pros
- Unblocks seamlessly France.tv
- More than average speeds
- Reliable support for its users
Cons
- Does not have free trial
IPVanish has about 2,200 servers in 75 countries, including France, the relevant country for our purpose.
The connections in IPVanish are very reliable, stable, and fast. Getting a link to one of the servers online takes a blink only.
It is one of the best-reputed VPNs regarding security.
The French zone of the VPN network doesn’t have city-level server locations for you to choose from. But as long as you select France, you’ll be able to get the French IP address you need.
How to determine the best VPNs for France TV
There are many VPNs available today. However, only a few VPN services can unblock France. TV. Below are the various elements to consider when choosing a VPN:
Servers in France
Due to the geo-restrictions, you can only access France.TV from servers based in France. Therefore, a VPN must have its servers in several cities in France to help navigate the restrictions by disguising the user’s actual IP address with a French IP address.
Speed
Streaming videos online is a data-intensive activity. So, you should consider a VPN with solid and fast connections to prevent buffers and lags, which can be annoying.
Security
The rise of Cybercrimes has made most people cautious about their data and identity privacy when browsing online. Thus, we recommend VPNs with robust security features for protection against malware, trackers, and ads.
Streaming range
Not all VPNs are reliable for streaming. The minimum is impressive unblocking capability, speed, and consistent connections.
Ease of use
For easy operations with the VPN, you must consider user-friendly interfaces that even a beginner can operate to avoid troubles while using.
Cost
VPNs are available at different prices. However, some have cheaper packages, especially if you opt for long-term ones. Regardless, ensure you get value for money and even take advantage of the money-back guarantee.
Using a free VPN to watch French TV abroad
A free VPN can be tempting since you incur no financial risk. However, most free VPNs are more dangerous than worth it. For example, they are unreliable for bypassing geo-restrictions and unblocking content on popular streaming platforms like Netflix.
Moreover, many free VPNs have fewer servers and throttle your internet speed. As a result, you could get lags and buffering when streaming.
Besides poor performance, free VPNs have weak security measures. In particular, they don’t encrypt your data. Also, some free VPNs collect and sell user data to third parties.
That is why we recommend avoiding free VPNs and opting for premium services instead. Thankfully, most premium options offer a 30-day money back guarantee that allows you to test them risk-free.
Is it possible to watch French TV outside France with DNS proxy?
It is not recommended to use DNS proxies with France.TV because they are risky and unreliable. Nonetheless, you can opt for ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer DNS, a reputable service included in every subscription.
A DNS proxy does not encrypt your traffic data, making your activities and data vulnerable to online threats. Also, these services are usually free, and like free VPNs, they may be selling your information or infecting your device with malware.
VPNs to avoid while accessing France TV in the USA
As you can see above, free VPNs are highly unreliable for streaming. Here are some of the VPNs you should avoid at all costs.
- HolaVPN – This VPN cannot bypass France TV restrictions. Much worse, the VPN uses its customers’ computers as ‘exit nodes’, allowing paying customers to route their traffic through the nodes. This exposes your data to everyone.
- HoxxVPN – Another VPN that cannot unblock France TV. Also, it collects user data. Additionally, it uses weak security measures, which could expose your data to bandwidth borrowing and hijacking.
- Hide.me – We don’t recommend this VPN for many reasons. For starters, it has few servers, which cannot unblock France TV. Moreover, it has a slow and inconsistent speed, causing poor visual quality.
Best apps to watch French TV
French movies and TV shows are popular worldwide. Here are some of the best apps to watch an old classic or enjoy the great French series.
| Streaming service | Popular content | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix France | Rael: The Alien Prophet, Lupin, No Limit, Notre-Dame, Rogue City | $9.63/month |
| Arte | Marseille mon amour, Canis Familiaris, Naked Above Berlin | – |
| Hulu | The Empty Man, Happening, Quo Vadis, Aida?, Cat Person, Vesper | $7.99/month |
| Canal+ | Anatomy of a Fall, Un Petit Miracle, Des Mains En Or, D’Argent Et De Sang | $27.83/month |
| Amazon Prime Video | Les Revenant, Expats, A French Village, Mr & Mrs Smith, Saltburn | $6.41/month |
France TV’s available content
If a channel or show is made in France and available in France, it’s in France.TV Live, for the most part. So let’s have a look at the entertainment offer it has.
TV Channels
- TF1
- Franceinfo
- France 2, 3, 4, and 5
- Culturebox
- Okoo
- France TV Slash
TV Shows
- Meurtres à…
- Les pouvoirs extraordinaires du corps humain
- Les Enquêtes de Morse
- Le Crime Lui Va Si Bien
- Affaire Conclue
- The Bay
- Envoyé Spécial
- Engrenages
- Marseille
- Le Chalet
- Dix Pour Cent
Device support on France TV
Unfortunately France.TV doesn’t support any hardware that’s too high standard, unless you see it using a browser.
The video platform is available online or as an app or client. The supported devices only work on the most popular operating systems: macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.
How to install France.TV on an Android device
The France TV app is available to download in the Google Play Store, but only if the store thinks you’re in France. If you run a search for it while you’re elsewhere, you won’t find it. So, getting the app needs a bit of tweaking with your Google Play country, and here’s how to do it:
- Choose a VPN service. ExpressVPN would be best.
- Find the app or software client that your VPN offers for your device. Download it and install it.
- Launch your VPN app or client.
- Log in using your VPN credentials.
- Choose a French server.
- Go to Google Play Store. Click on the account picture and then on “Add another account.”
- And a new Gmail ID. One that is new to the Google Play Store.
- Complete the new account setup process.
- Return to Google Play Store and run a search for France.TV app.
- Download and install the app.
- Sign in. Start watching!
How to install France.TV in iOS
You will also experience geo-restrictions on iOS devices similar to Android devices, but you can use a VPN to navigate these restrictions. With the following steps, it should be easy to install France.TV on your iOS device:
- Subscribe to a well-known VPN service. We recommend ExpressVPN as it has stood the test of time.
- Install the VPN app on your device and sign in.
- Connect to a France-based server. We recommend the Paris-1 server.
- Go to settings and choose Country and Region.
- Select France.
- Fill in the details needed.
- Then, visit the App Store and search France.TV app.
Download, Install, and enjoy watching France.TV abroad.
How to watch French TV in your country
You can watch French TV worldwide by bypassing geo-restrictions. Use the following instructions to watch French content in your country.
Watch French TV in the US
Configuring a VPN to access French streaming platforms or content in the US is straightforward. Here is an easy-to-follow guide on how to do it.
- Select a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
- Download and install the VPN software.
- Open the VPN and connect to a France server.
- Launch your French TV streaming platform.
- Sign in or create an account to watch French content.
Watch French TV in the UK
- Get a VPN with multiple servers in France. NordVPN is an ideal option.
- Install the VPN app on your streaming device.
- Launch the VPN app and connect to a server in France.
- Open a French TV streaming app.
- Log in or create an account and start streaming!
Watch French TV abroad
- Choose a reputable VPN service. NordVPN is our top choice.
- Download and install the VPN on your device.
- Connect to any server in France.
- Open your favorite French TV streaming app.
- Sign in or create an account to start streaming!
Which French TV channels you can or cannot watch?
3 French channels you can watch for free
Suppose you’re not interested in joining an excellent VPN to watch French material. In that case, it’s a shame because the VPN will enhance your digital life in many additional ways. However, there are still three French TV channels that anybody can watch from abroad without paying fees.
- France24. This channel is tailored to the French living abroad. It’s a world news service done from the French perspective.
- BFM TV. This French channel is devoted to news and weather forecasts. It’s the most famous French news channel available for users anywhere.
- LCP. La Chaine Parlamentaire is like a French CSPAN channel. It broadcasts the activity from the National Assembly and the Senate of France.
14 French TV channels are usually not available to outsiders
The channels in this list are for users based in France only or those with a VPN or a subscription to French streaming services.
- TV5 Monde. It’s not a channel but a network with several channels, each localized for a particular francophone audience. These channels include TV5 Canada, TV5MONDE Europe, TV5MOND Pacifique, and TV5MONDE. Etats-Unis.
- Arte. This bilingual French/German channel is about culture and the arts. However, Breaking Bad and other successful shows are also on the menu. Every show has a version in each available language, so it’s a great learning resource.
- Euronews. It is a European news channel that covers culture, technology, and other exciting topics besides the news. The channel’s language is formal, and every video has a transcript, so this is an excellent resource if you want to improve your French.
- Eurosport. It’s a channel about European sports, as the name suggests.
- RTBF. It is a Belgian TV channel with a wide variety of shows.
- TF1. TF1’s market share of 19.2% makes it the most popular TV channel in France. It broadcasts a variety of American and French shows.
- M6. Another popular option. Its flagship show is Kaamelott, an agitated French show.
- France2 is the largest public TV channel. It covers news and culture but also films and TV shows. Unfortunately, you can only see it with a VPN despite being a public channel.
- France3 is another element in the French public TV network. This one is focused on cultural and educational content, with many regional features.
- France4 is a public TV channel for children.
- France5 is about documentaries and educational content.
- France Ô is a TV channel for overseas territories like Martinique and Guadeloupe.
- i-Télé is a news channel. It’s known for reporting the latest events almost as soon as they happen.
- Gulli features cartoons and other content for children, including some international shows.
Conclusion
So now you know that watching French TV Live Online is not only possible but straightforward even outside France. It takes nothing but an excellent VPN to unblock French content abroad. Once you have it, you can watch any channel and show on the video platform at your leisure! We hope you’ll enjoy it!
FAQs
Hardly. Most free VPNs do not have the functionality or resources you will need to unblock France.TV. Even if you found a free VPN that could do it, you shouldn’t use it. Free VPNs create a lot of privacy and security problems. Some of them are even known to hijack your bandwidth and other resources.
That depends on the country where you are. VPNs are legal in most of the world’s jurisdictions, but if they’re not where you are, you’d be breaking the law.
France.TV is a streaming company restricted to broadcast content only in France. The streaming service blocks users outside France to protect itself from possible license and copyright violations. These geo-blocks make it impossible to access services outside France without a VPN.
Anytime you go online, your ISP provides you with a unique IP address that can be detected by the site you visit, like France.TV. Through the IP address, France.TV can tell your physical location. Therefore, if you are outside France, France.TV will notice and block your access.
Yes, it is possible. You can easily mask your initial IP address and trick France.TV with a France IP address. You need to connect with a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN to achieve this.
French TV can block a VPN in various ways. The most common way is through your IP address. It will identify that you are trying to access France.TV from abroad and block your connection.
France.TV content is aired for free, so you don’t need any subscription. However, if you are accessing it from outside France, you need to subscribe to a reliable VPN service.
You can watch France.TV via the browser or the app itself. Some of the operating systems are compatible with France.TV includes Mac, iOS (iPhones and iPads), Android (phones and Tablets), Windows, etc.
