What Is the Best VPN Provider for Paris in 2024?

At a Glance

While the internet in France is mostly free and unfiltered, internet users in France and the capital Paris will still want to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect and enhance their online activities.

Why Should I Use a VPN in Paris?

For one thing, you’re always vulnerable to attacks from hackers, no matter where you are in the world. In addition, your Internet Service Provider is likely happy to record your online activities, and the government would just love to know what you’re up to. A VPN’s encryption prevents any entity from spying on your online antics.

Plus, while you’re in Paris, you won’t be able to access international internet content, such as video streaming services. For instance, while you can access Netflix in France, you’ll only be able to view France-specific content, while Netflix content in other countries will be blocked.

And if you’re a Parisian traveling or living abroad, you won’t be able to access France-specific internet content.

But because a VPN can give you a new IP address in whichever country you choose, you’ll be able to access geo-blocked content either in France or anywhere else in the world.

In this article, I share with you the inside details of the seven best VPN service providers for Paris.

How to Use a VPN To Protect Your Online Activities in Paris

To protect and enhance your online activities while in Paris, follow the steps below:

1. Subscribe to a reliable VPN provider. (NordVPN is my #1 choice.)
2. Install the VPN’s app(s) on your connected device(s), install browser extensions if applicable, and set up your WiFi router to work with the service, if you want to protect all of your connected devices.
3. Log in to the VPN service.
4. Select a VPN server located in France, preferably Paris (for speed reasons), to protect your online activities from being monitored, or to access France-only content while abroad. You can also select a server located outside of French borders to open access to geo-blocked content in other countries.
5. Enjoy your new online anonymity and access to geo-blocked content!

Best VPNs for Paris

I thoroughly vet all of the best VPN service providers out there to discover which VPN is best for a specific use, and that includes Paris, France. (More info on that later.)

These seven VPN providers are the best VPN services for internet users in Paris:

1. NordVPN: Top Paris VPN. NordVPN is the best VPN to use in Paris. The provider offers plenty of servers in Paris and elsewhere around the world, in addition to offering super-fast speeds and comprehensive digital security and privacy protections. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Paris. Surfshark offers fast and well-encrypted connections for a low, low price, making it the best VPN for budget-minded users. The provider also offers extensive app support and unlimited simultaneous connections.
3. ExpressVPN: Premium Paris protection. Although expensive, many users will find ExpressVPN to be worth it. High-speed servers in Paris, strong encryption, wide-ranging app support, and responsive customer support are all available from this provider.
4. CyberGhost: Great VPN option for first-time users. Beginner VPN users will find CyberGhost to be the preferable option, as it offers apps that are easy to get the hang of. The provider’s massive server network offers connections throughout the world, and its streaming- and downloading-optimized servers offer an enhanced experience.
5. Private Internet Access (PIA): Reliable Paris VPN protection. PIA provides reliable online protection for users in Paris and elsewhere. It provides reliable access to content around much of the globe.
6. PrivateVPN: Mighty mite VPN network. While PrivateVPN admittedly has the smallest global server network on this list, it provides reliable and well-protected access to wherever it has servers.
7. Atlas VPN: No limit on VPN protection. Atlas VPN’s unlimited simultaneous connections policy means you can protect all of your devices at once. Atlas provides blazingly-fast, well-protected connections to content around the globe.

These are the features that I paid most attention to when deciding which VPNs to recommend for Paris:

• Global server network (with servers in France, preferably Paris)
• Digital security and privacy protections
• Connection speeds
• Native app support
• Customer support options

Best VPNs for Paris – Summary table

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Paris.

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The seven best VPN services for Paris are:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

Residents of and visitors to the City of Light will appreciate NordVPN’s excellent VPN service.

NordVPN offers an impressive global server network, including over 5,800 servers in France and 60+ other countries. (There are 230+ servers located in two locations, Paris and Marseille.) The provider is well known for its ability to access geo-blocked content around the world.

Government-level 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection all protect your connection when you use NordVPN. There’s also ad blocking and malware protection.

NordVPN never saves any logs of your online activities (which an independent audit verified), and the provider allows you to pay with Bitcoin if that’s your preferred method of payment.

The provider runs all server operations directly from RAM, with no information of any kind being written to a physical hard drive. This ensures that all data is totally erased from the servers when rebooted.

The VPN’s self-owned and self-operated servers prevent third-party contractors from accessing any customer information.

NordVPN offers super-fast connection speeds, easily offering enough oomph to handle HD and 4K video streams, fast-moving online games, and the sharing of large files. Unlimited bandwidth and data come with your subscription.

There’s native app support for all of your favorite devices, including Android, macOS (with native M1/M2 Mac support), iOS, Windows, Linux, Amazon Fire, and Android TV device platforms. There are Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions available, in addition to solid router support.

You can connect up to six devices at once to the provider’s servers on one account.

Should you have any questions, live chat agents are available 24/7. There’s also email support and a searchable support library available.

BEST VPN FOR PARIS:NordVPN offers the #1 service for Paris. The provider’s speeds are formidable, its native app support is comprehensive, and its server network is wide. There are multiple levels of security protection and your privacy is completely protected. A risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark’s motto for its French users is “égalité, liberté, securité.” The provider offers its service at a low price, making it great for Parisians on a budget.

The provider’s server network is wide, including 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries around the world. Its French servers are shared between Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux. The provider offers the ability to access 30+ Netflix libraries around the world.

Surfshark takes your security seriously, offering military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IPv6/DNS leak protection. In addition to these protections, Surfshark offers a “MultiHop” option, which routes a user’s internet connection through not one, but two VPN servers, doubling the encryption and anonymity you’ll have.

The provider follows a strict no-server-logs-ever policy and accepts Bitcoin as a subscription payment, increasing your payment privacy. Surfshark now runs all of its servers solely from volatile RAM, writing no data of any kind to an actual hard drive or SSD.

No data caps or bandwidth limitations will limit you when you use Surfshark, so the provider’s fast speeds are unfettered. You can use those speeds to get an excellent experience while streaming, gaming, and file sharing.

Native apps are available for the following platforms: Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire. (The company’s macOS app offers native app support for Apple’s M1/M2 Mac lineup.) Chrome, Edge, and Firefox extensions are available to protect your browsing sessions, and there’s support for many makes and models of routers.

Perhaps one of the most attractive features of Surfshark is its unlimited simultaneous connections allowance, which enables a user to connect as many devices as needed or wanted to the provider’s servers at once.

Around-the-clock customer support is available in the form of 24/7 live chat, a “Contact Us” form, and a searchable online knowledge base.

GREAT VPN FOR BUDGET-MINDED USERS:Surfshark’s price for a multi-year subscription is attractive, which Parisian users looking to save a few euros will appreciate. Unlimited simultaneous connections allow users to connect, hypothetically, hundreds of devices, while their digital security and privacy are always protected. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Surfshark.

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3. ExpressVPN

Despite ExpressVPN’s high price, many Parisian users will find it to be a worthwhile VPN.

ExpressVPN’s server network is very wide, encompassing 3,000+ servers in 94+ countries, France included, with servers in Paris, Alsace, Marseille, and Strasbourg. I’ve never had a problem accessing geo-blocked content around the world when using ExpressVPN.

There’s government-grade 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch option, and IP/DNS leak protection all available from this provider. In addition, there’s a split-tunneling option, which allows you to choose which apps will use the provider’s encrypted tunnel of protection.

ExpressVPN promises never to save logs of your online activities and welcomes Bitcoin as a private payment option.

The provider’s servers are run on its proprietary “TrustedServer” technology, running all server operations directly from RAM, with no data whatsoever being written to a hard drive. This ensures that all data is completely wiped from the server with each reboot.

ExpressVPN offers the fastest connection speeds on this list, making it possible to stream video in HD or 4K, play fast-moving games, and share large files. Every subscriber is given unlimited bandwidth and data to use.

There’s also comprehensive app support, with apps available for iOS, macOS (with native Apple silicon support), Windows, Linux, Android, Chromebook, Android TV, and Amazon Fire device platforms. Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Vivaldi browser extensions make an appearance, and there’s router support for many makes and models, with recently-updated firmware that offers an improved user interface.

Only five devices can connect simultaneously to the provider’s servers under one set of login credentials.

The provider offers four types of customer support: 24/7 live chat, a trouble ticket system, email support, and an easy-to-search support library.

RELIABLE PARIS VPN:ExpressVPN offers a reliable service, although it does come at an expensive price. Digital security and privacy protections abound, and high-speed servers offer access to geo-blocked content in France and elsewhere. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of ExpressVPN.

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4. CyberGhost

If you’re new to using VPNs, CyberGhost is your best choice. The provider offers easy-to-use apps that make it simple to connect to where you want to digitally go.

There are 9,000+ CyberGhost servers covering the globe in 90+ countries, France included (815+ servers are spread between Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg). Plenty of those servers are streaming- and downloading-optimized, improving your experience.

A combination of military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, IPv6/DNS leak prevention, and an automatic kill switch keep you safe while you’re surfing the web. There’s also ad and tracker blocking available, in addition to the ability to force websites to show secure versions of their webpages when available.

Recently added new security features include a password manager, antivirus protection, and a utility that scans your device for outdated and vulnerable apps. The provider’s ID Guard feature alerts you if your email address was uncovered in a data breach.

The provider guarantees that it never saves any logs of your online activities, and also offers a Bitcoin payment option for users who prefer to use the cryptocurrency.

CyberGhost’s speeds are optimal, with plenty of bandwidth available for streaming, gaming, and file sharing. There’s no bandwidth throttling or data caps from this provider.

Easy-to-use apps are available for Amazon Fire, Android TV, Android, macOS, Windows, iOS, and Linux device platforms. There are also Chrome and Firefox browser extensions, in addition to comprehensive router support.

An unusually high number of seven concurrent connections are allowed on a single user account.

Customer support options include 24/7 live chat, email support, a trouble ticket tracking system, and an easy-to-search support library.

BEST FOR ROOKIE VPN USERS:Newbie users wanting a simple experience will find CyberGhost’s easy-to-use apps attractive. The provider’s streaming- and downloading-enhanced servers offer an optimized experience, and wide global server coverage allows you to connect almost anywhere. A 45-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of CyberGhost.

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5. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) boasts a good-sized global server network, with 3,300+ servers stationed in 84+ countries. The VPN’s large server network delivers reliable access to content located around much of the globe.

PIA protects its customers’ internet connections with banking-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. The provider also offers blocking of ads, trackers, malware, and dangerous websites.

All PIA servers are run completely free of user tracking logs, so there is no evidence to be had of your online antics. Bitcoin is accepted as a subscription payment, protecting your payment info. Plus, all PIA servers are now run 100% from RAM, meaning no data is ever written to a physical hard drive or SSD.

PIA’s native app support includes app options for Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. Chrome, Opera, and Firefox browser extensions are also available. The provider also works well with several select router makes and models.

PIA recently began allowing unlimited connections to its servers, allowing users to protect all of their connected devices at once.

While this provider’s connection speeds are the second-slowest on this list, its connections provide more than enough bandwidth for your favorite online activities. There are no daily or monthly data caps or bandwidth throttling to worry about when using this provider.

When you require assistance, you’ll find that live chat, a trouble ticket system, and a searchable support database are all available.

RELIABLE PARIS VPN PROTECTION:Private Internet Access provides unlimited online security and privacy for most popular devices, thanks to its unlimited connections policy. PIA’s large global server network has most of the globe covered. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Private Internet Access.

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6. PrivateVPN

While PrivateVPN’s mere 200+ servers located in 63+ countries (including France) makes it the smallest network on this list, it provides reliable and well-protected access to content in the countries where it has servers located.

The provider also wins the booby prize for the slowest download speeds in this group of seven. However, its connections can easily handle popular online activities.

All PrivateVPN connections are protected with banking-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and more. A proprietary “Stealth VPN” feature hides your VPN usage by disguising it as normal browser activity.

The provider’s strict no-server logs policy means there are no records of your online travels kept on its servers. A cryptocurrency subscription payment option is available to protect your payment privacy.

PrivateVPN’s app support is limited to Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows device platforms. Linux devices and select routers can also use the provider with a bit of manual setup. Browser extensions are also not available.

Users can simultaneously connect up to 10 devices to the provider’s servers.

PrivateVPN support options include live chat, a support request form, and an FAQ support area.

DAVID AMONG VPN GOLIATHS:PrivateVPN has a small but powerful global server network. While its global server coverage is somewhat limited, it provides reliable access to geo-controlled content in the countries it serves. The provider’s “Stealth VPN” protection keeps your VPN usage hidden. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of PrivateVPN.

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7. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN’s global server network is made up of 1,000+ servers in 49+ countries, providing reliable access to geo-fenced content in the countries that it serves.

The VPN’s blazingly-fast connections easily handle any popular online activity. Plus, the provider never ruins a good time by imposing daily or monthly data caps or bandwidth throttling.

Atlas VPN’s fast connections are well-protected with banking-grade encryption, kill switch protection, and IP/DNS leak prevention. The provider’s proprietary “Safebrowse” feature blocks online dangers, as well as irritating ads (which can track you).

The provider’s servers are all run free of user logs, meaning that your online travel history is not recorded. Cryptocurrency is a subscription payment option, providing additional payment privacy, especially when you use a disposable email address to sign up.

The provider’s native app options include offerings for Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV device platforms. Although browser extensions and router support are currently not available, both features are in development.

Atlas VPN customers can connect an unlimited number of devices to the provider’s servers at once.

Live chat is a paying customer-only support feature. However, all users have access to a contact form, email support, and a support library.

UNLIMITED PROTECTED CONNECTIONS:Atlas VPN provides unlimited access to protected connections for your connected devices. In addition, the provider’s “Safebrowse” feature keeps online perils and ads from bugging you. The provider also provides reliable access to content in several regions of the globe. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Atlas VPN

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Methodology for Assessing VPNs for Paris

Online users in Paris would do well to carefully consider all that a VPN service provider offers before opting to subscribe. Not just any VPN will do, and you want to be sure that your investment is worth it.

Here are the most critical factors I considered when deciding upon which VPNs to recommend for those living in or visiting Paris, and why they’re important:

• Connection speed: No matter what you plan to do with your VPN connection, fast speeds are important. All of the VPN providers on my list proved to be extremely fast in my most recent connection speed tests.
• Server network: Servers in Paris enable you to access France-only content, and servers around the world let you access international geo-blocked content. In addition, a large number of servers mean faster speeds, as no single server will be overcrowded with users.
• Value: Each VPN comes with a unique price, and you should always compare that price with the features and functionality that the VPN provides to see if it’s worthwhile. Each VPN on my list offers excellent value.
• Ease of use: A VPN should offer apps for a multitude of devices, but in addition to that, its apps should also be easy to use. This will enable you to connect as quickly and easily as possible. The VPNs on my list offer simple apps that offer an easy way to connect to your desired destination.
• Security and privacy: Your digital security and privacy are always at stake when you’re on the internet, so your VPN should at least offer banking-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. Plus, always look for a no-logs policy, as this means that no one can access any records of your online activities.
• Streaming: Streaming is a popular pastime for many VPN users, so I always consider a VPN’s streaming capabilities when I recommend them. Each VPN on my list offers reliable access to streaming sites such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other popular streamers.

My research doesn’t end here. In fact, evaluating the factors above are just a small part of my comprehensive VPN testing methodology. This data-driven approach helps me to better understand the VPNs and their services, so I can recommend only those that are a good fit for your needs.

Will a Free VPN Work in Paris?

A free VPN service can be an enticing prospect, but don’t fall for it. Free VPNs always come with hidden costs.

Most importantly, you should consider the danger to your online privacy when you use a free VPN provider. Free VPNs will often make a buck by recording your online activities and then selling that information to interested third parties, like advertisers (or worse).

Free VPN service providers have also been caught inserting unwanted tracking cookies and ads into their users’ browsing sessions. Keep in mind that those cookies don’t stop tracking you just because you stopped using the free VPN.

In addition, you’ll have to wait a while before you can connect because free VPNs will make you wait in a queue behind other free users. Once you’re given the green light to connect, you’ll often find yourself with few servers to choose from, if you’re given any choice at all.

There’s a good chance that a server in France, particularly Paris, will be unavailable to you, so keep that in mind.

Expect your internet connection speeds to slow considerably, as free VPNs like to throttle their users’ speeds in order to save bandwidth for their paying customers. That’s in addition to the daily or monthly data caps they often impose.

NordVPN and Surfshark come at a budget-friendly price, and you’d be much better off choosing one of them. A free VPN will only cause you problems.

What Does a VPN Do For Me?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can do a lot of things.

First of all, a VPN service provider will encrypt your internet connection, keeping your online antics safe from any prying eyes. This includes the prying eyes of your Internet Service Provider (ISP), any government or any hacker looking to track or steal your personal information.

A VPN will also protect you when you’re using an unprotected public WiFi hotspot. Those hotspots, found in coffee shops, airports and the like, are almost never encrypted, making you susceptible to a hacker’s attack. A VPN’s encryption hides your online activities and keeps you safe from this.

Plus, a VPN stops your ISP from blocking or throttling your internet connection based on your online activities. ISPs like to throttle or block your internet connection if they catch you streaming from “unapproved” services or sharing files. With your VPN-encrypted connection, your ISP can’t see what you’re doing and therefore can’t affect your internet connection.

SEE ALSO: How to Watch American Netflix in France, How to Watch French TV Abroad, How to Get a French IP Address

Best VPN for Paris FAQs

Conclusion

I’ve visited and love the City of Lights, and whenever I go, I always use NordVPN to protect and enhance my internet connection.

NordVPN offers excellent digital security and privacy protections, always keeping you safe when you’re online in Paris. Fast speeds are a staple, and those high-speed servers around the world offer access to most kinds of geo-blocked content. There are apps for a plethora of devices, and customer support has always responded speedily and knowledgeably.

For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit the NordVPN website.