How To Get A French IP Address From Anywhere

There are various reasons why someone might want to get a French IP address when outside of France.

For instance, you may want to access geo-restricted French streaming platforms like Canal+ and TF1, or access services such as online banking from abroad. Also, accessing certain websites with a French IP address will mean that they default to your native language.

How Do I Access French Content From Abroad?

When your computer sends a request for a web page, the destination website can see your unique IP address, which gives away your location. Websites can check which country your IP address was allocated to and block your access if you are outside of France. For example, the Netflix France library is only available to users with a French IP address.

You can get around this problem with a VPN. This service routes your traffic through an intermediary VPN server in a location of your choice and assigns you a new IP address from that server. This means you can access blocked content wherever you are in the world. As a bonus, a VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic making it unreadable to any snoopers, including hackers and your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

How Do I Get a French IP Address From Abroad?

It is very easy to get a French IP address from anywhere by using a VPN. Just follow these steps:

1. Subscribe to a VPN service (I recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the app for your device’s operating system.
3. Open the app and select a VPN server in France.
4. Surf to a geo-restricted website. If it doesn’t load immediately, clear your browser’s cache and cookies, then refresh the page.

How to Choose the Right VPN for a French IP Address

There are some fundamental requirements from a VPN if it is going to help you get a French IP address while you are abroad. These are the criteria we based our picks on:

• Server options in France
• Fast transfer speeds for video streaming and downloading
• An easy-to-use, self-installing app that doesn’t require technical skills
• Free apps for different operating systems
• Strong encryption and privacy protection

Best VPNs for a French IP Address

Here is our list of the best VPNs to get a French IP address from anywhere:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN is my #1 pick for getting an IP address in France. The provider has a very large server network with more than 5,300 servers spread across 59+ countries. The company has 230+ servers in two locations in France alone.

The download speeds of the service are some of the fastest I’ve ever seen, more than sufficient to watch faultless video streams and download large files in a reasonable amount of time. The provider never spoils the fun with data caps or bandwidth throttling.

Connections are secured by a 256-bit AES cipher. The key exchange and session establishment procedures are protected by 2048-bit RSA encryption. A kill switch and DNS leak protection are built-in. Another security feature is the option to use a double-hop VPN, which sends your connections through two servers in different countries. You can also access the Tor network through a NordVPN connection.

The provider also operates all of its servers completely log-free and none of its owned-and-operated servers are run by third-party operators. Plus, all NordVPN servers are run only from volatile RAM, writing no data to a physical hard drive. This means all data is securely wiped from the servers whenever they are rebooted.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS (with native Apple Silicon support), iOS, Linux, Android, Amazon Fire and Android TV. The VPN can be installed manually on Raspberry Pi, Blackberry, and some routers and set-top boxes. You can also use NordVPN browser extensions for the Edge, Firefox and Chrome platforms. Six simultaneous connections per account are permitted.

BEST VPN FOR A FRENCH IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is the top VPN for getting a French IP address. Despite its low price, the provider offers excellent service, with fast connection speeds, great multi-platform support, and plenty of French servers. This provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark offers its service for a very affordable price, making it the 2nd contender on this list. The provider has over 3,200 servers, based in 65 countries around the globe, France included. The provider’s global server network might not be as extensive as many of its competitors, but it is growing quickly.

As long as your usual connection speeds can handle HD streaming, online gaming, and sharing large files, you’ll have no issues doing all of that when using Surfshark. The provider never imposes data caps or throttles your connection speeds.

Easy-to-install-and-use apps are available for Amazon Fire TV, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows and macOS (with native Apple Silicon support). Chrome, Edge and Firefox browser extensions are available. The provider is also compatible with numerous router makes and models.

An unlimited concurrent connections policy means you can connect all of your online devices to Surfshark VPN servers at once.

Online protection is well covered when using Surfshark, as the provider uses bank-grade encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and more. Additional protection includes ad blocking, tracker and malware protection, and a “MultiHop” server option that routes your connection through dual VPN servers.

A strict no-server-logs-ever policy, along with a cryptocurrency payment option, delivers comprehensive privacy protection.

BEST FOR BUDGET:Even Popeye Doyle would have to appreciate Surfshark’s unlimited French connections. The provider offers comprehensive online protection for users looking to grab an IP address in France and much of the rest of the world, and it offers those IP addresses at a bargain-basement price. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is able to slip past location checks when you use it to access French websites from abroad. The provider has over 3,000 servers based in nearly 95 countries around the globe.

It offers very fast speeds and is excellent for video streaming and downloading, having the ability to unblock various streaming services, including Netflix France. It has two server farms in Paris and one server farm in Strasbourg, a single farm in Alsace and a single farm in Marseille.

Live chat support is available 24/7 should you need help.

The app includes a kill switch and access to a private DNS service to protect your privacy. The company does not keep activity logs, so there are no records of which sites you visited. Connection establishment is protected by 4096-bit RSA public key encryption and the session is secured with a 256-bit AES cipher. The provider offers its own Lightway connection protocol, which is designed to improve security and performance.

The provider saves no logs of any kind, and accepts cryptocurrency as subscription payment. Plus, all ExpressVPN servers are run 100% from RAM, with no data whatsoever being written to a physical hard drive. All data is securely and completely wiped from any ExpressVPN server whenever it is rebooted.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV,  Amazon Fire, and some routers and set-top boxes. Browser plugins work alongside the VPN desktop clients and are available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. Five simultaneous connections are allowed under each plan. A router installation counts as one of those even though it will cover all of the devices in your home.

GREAT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN offers servers all over the world, including in France, and combined with its excellent content-unblocking ability, this VPN is an excellent choice for streaming fans. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to try the service risk-free.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has more than 7,600 servers in 90+ countries, including 780+ servers in two cities in France, which create fast connections suitable for downloading and video streaming. The service includes many security features to protect your privacy, such as a kill switch in the app and a private DNS service.

You can get almost total anonymity on CyberGhost’s servers because payment is collected by a different company. You’ll only lose your anonymity if you access customer support because you have to give an email address in order to get a response, although you could use a throwaway email.

Another privacy feature of the service is its no-logs-ever policy. Connection security is very strong and equal to the procedures used by NordVPN. Session establishment is covered by 4096-bit RSA encryption and a 256-bit AES cipher protects data in transit.

There are app versions for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV. You can set up a CyberGhost VPN connection manually on some routers and set-top boxes. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are available. Each account covers up to seven simultaneous connections to the service.

In addition to quality VPN protection, the provider also offers a password manager, while also warning users when their email address is exposed in a data breach. Windows users can take advantage of the provider’s antivirus and anti-malware protection, privacy controls and much more.

EXCELLENT VALUE:CyberGhost helps you disappear while you are active on the internet by providing very strong connection encryption and account anonymity. You get a 45-day money-back guarantee on all subscription periods except for the one-month plan, which has a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. Private Internet Access

This well-known VPN provider delivers reliable access to NOW TV and numerous other streaming services.

The Private Internet Access (PIA) global server network boasts 3,300+ servers in more than 80 countries. The provider delivers reliable access to French IP addresses, providing access to most France-only content.

While PIA’s connection speeds are certainly not the fastest I’ve ever measured, the VPN’s well-protected connections deliver more than enough horsepower for viewing HD video, gaming, sharing files and just about any other online activity. No data caps or connection throttling to worry about here.

All of those fast connections are well protected, with government-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak prevention and a kill switch. Blocking for ads, trackers, malware and malicious sites is also available.

The provider’s strict no-logs policy and its acceptance of Bitcoin as subscription payment means it has you covered when it comes to privacy protections.

The provider’s native app offerings include options for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux devices. Opera, Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available, as is comprehensive router compatibility.

Up to 10 devices can be simultaneously connected on a single account.

PIA’s customer support includes live support chat, a trouble ticket form, a searchable support/troubleshooting knowledgebase.

RELIABLE ACCESS TO FRENCH IPs:The provider delivers access to users who are in search of French IP addresses. PIA also provides comprehensive privacy and online security protections. The provider does have a few issues in super-restrictive countries. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of Private Internet Access.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a newer and smaller provider, but it’s still worthy of consideration. It gives access to more than 200+ servers located in 60+ countries, including a server farm in Paris. You get very fast, so it’s great for downloading and video streaming. PrivateVPN is known for its excellent unblocking capabilities and can get you access to Netflix France, Canal+, and lots more.

Privacy protection includes a kill switch in the app and a private DNS service. Procedural anonymity is aided by a no-logs policy and third-party billing. Your connection security is provided by 256-bit AES encryption and key exchange is made secure by a 2048-bit RSA cipher.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. You can also set up a VPN connection manually on Linux computers and some routers and set-top boxes. You get an allowance of six simultaneous connections per account.

STRONG PRIVACY:Account anonymity and a no-logs policy makes your internet activity untraceable. PrivateVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Methodology for Assessing VPNs for Getting a French IP Address

“Eenie-meenie-minie-mo” is not the best method for choosing a VPN service provider for getting a French IP address. There are several key considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right VPN for the job.

These are those key considerations and why they’re important:

• Speed: Connection speed is always an important consideration for any online activity you hope to conduct, especially if you plan to stream video, play games or share files. All of the VPNs on my list are super fast, offering speeds that will make any online activity an enjoyable experience.
• Server Network: Servers in France are, of course, absolutely essential for getting a French IP address. But a large server network in general is a boon, as you can open up access to content in even more countries. In addition, a high server count means that you’ll get faster speeds, as no single server will be overloaded with users.
• Value: It makes no sense to invest in a VPN service provider, only to discover that it doesn’t offer the features and functionality you need, and overcharges for it to boot. Every VPN I recommend in my articles offers an excellent return on investment.
• Ease of Use: Any and all VPNs I recommend are easy to use, making it simple for even newbie VPN users to get the hang of using their apps. In addition, be on the lookout for VPNs that have apps available for your preferred device platforms.
• Security and Privacy: Don’t settle for a VPN that won’t offer comprehensive digital security and privacy protections. Banking-level encryption, an automatic kill switch and DNS/IP leak protection are the very least in online protection that you should look for. Plus, you’ll want a strict no-logs policy so that no person or entity can request a record of your online activities.
• Streaming: If you’re like most VPN users, you’re interested in streaming, possibly from French video streaming providers. Each VPN on my list offers reliable access to streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and other popular streamers.

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

Can I Get a French IP Address Without Paying?

There are many websites and online services in France that won’t give you access if you are outside of the country. In particular, many sports and entertainment sites invest a lot of money in geolocation detection systems. Premium online TV services like Canal+ go to even greater lengths to block access from abroad and these measures include detecting VPN traffic and blocking it.

It isn’t impossible to get around these blocks, but you likely won’t be able to do it with a free VPN service. This is because dodging detection costs a lot of money. One of the techniques that sites use is blacklisting, so if an IP address gets detected as being outside of France or belonging to a VPN service, it gets blocked permanently. To defeat this strategy, VPNs have to avoid buying blocks of addresses and they regularly bin their address pool and buy in new ones. This procedure can be costly and free VPNs just can’t afford to keep ahead of detection.

Even if you do manage to bypass geo-restrictions, free VPNs have so many users and so few servers that you’ll likely endure slow, intermittent connections that make for a terrible streaming experience. What’s more, free VPNs don’t have the extra privacy measures you need from a VPN, such as a kill switch and a no-logs policy. In fact, many make their money by tracking your activities and selling the data to third parties.

Overall, a few dollars per month for a reputable provider is worth it every time.

Why Else Do I Need a VPN?

Aside from helping you to access your favorite shows and movies, a VPN can help in other ways. It can get you access to other platforms that may be blocked in your location, such as gaming sites, sports streaming services, and gambling sites.

Plus, many banks will flag an account if you access it using a foreign IP address. So if you want to use the online banking facilities of Crédit Agricole, BNP, Paribas, Société Générale, or Caisse d’Epargne, a French IP address can help you do so without prompting alerts.

Because VPNs encrypt your traffic, they are particularly useful when you connect to a wifi hotspot. These are prime locations for hackers to lie in wait to steal your data, but an encrypted VPN will be unreadable to those prying eyes. When a VPN connects, its encryption procedures are negotiated with an end server that is beyond the local wifi systems, so hackers can’t intervene in the encryption key exchange procedures.

Get a French IP Address With a VPN

Many online services in France have made the most of technological advances to block out visitors from outside the country. It’s annoying that you have to miss out on the sites you enjoy visiting just because you are abroad for a little while. It is particularly annoying if you are paying a subscription fee for those sites. Fortunately, technology can help you, too. A VPN will even the score so you can get back to accessing your favorite sites, even when you are outside of France.

Take advantage of the refund periods to try out a few of the services on our list without losing any money. All of these services are honorable and will give you a refund without any hassle. Enjoy your travels and keep in touch with entertainment, events, and more back home thanks to a VPN.

French IP Address FAQs