The easiest way to get a French IP address is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). That way, you can use all your usual French services while traveling abroad, including watching your favorite French TV, streaming your home services, and accessing your online banking.

Another advantage is that VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and online activity, which helps keep you safe from snoopers while on public wifi. In other words, a quality VPN is an invaluable tool for any traveler. In this article, we list the best VPNs to use to gain a French IP address, talk you through how to use them, and answer some common VPN questions.

If you’re a little short on time, you can find a quick summary of our top VPNs. However, if any of the services we recommend stand out to you, keep scrolling to find a more detailed review.

Best VPNs for getting a French IP address

  • NordVPN: Our top VPN for getting a French IP address. Known for its strong commitment to security and privacy. Over 230 French servers to choose from. Provides stable connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
  • Surfshark: The best way to get a France IP address on a budget. Has minimal impact on your speeds and allows any number of simultaneous connections. Strict no-logs policy and strong security.
  • ExpressVPN: Great at accessing French websites and streaming services. Boasts a solid security toolkit and around-the-clock support, not to mention its own router app. Ranks highly on speed.
  • CyberGhost: A quick and user-friendly service with 950+ servers in France. Makes it easy to access your usual streaming platforms and French content abroad. Powerful security tools and 24/7 live chat.
  • IPVanish: A versatile, lightweight VPN that keeps no logs. Allows users to protect all of their devices at once. Has an impressive set of security features and solid unblocking abilities.
  • PrivateVPN: Capable of unblocking a huge range of French services abroad. Privacy-first VPN with a top-tier security toolkit. Doesn’t slow down your connection very much at all.
  • AtlasVPN: A reliable, fast VPN with servers in 30 countries, including France. Apps for all platforms. Malware protection and ad blocking.

How to get a French IP address from abroad

It’s easier than you might think to gain a French IP address, just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be good to go in minutes.

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

Here’s how to get a French IP address from abroad:

  • Sign up for one of the VPNs listed below (we recommend NordVPN).
  • Install the app on your most-used devices. You’ll normally be allowed to connect at least five at once.
  • Log in and select one of the available French servers.
  • That’s all there is to it; you should now be able to browse safely and access France-only services. If not, clear your cookies and cache to delete old location data and force the sites you visit to use your new location instead. then try reloading the sites.
  • If you’re still struggling, contact your VPN’s support team for more assistance.

Best VPNs for gaining a French IP address – at a glance

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 gaining a French IP address.

Best VPNs for getting a French IP address

There are plenty of VPNs offering access to French servers. Still, why should you pay for anything less than the best? To ensure we only recommend services capable of handling whatever you throw at them, our top picks meet these criteria:

  • Must have at least one French server, but preferably more
  • Unblocks a wide range of France-only services
  • Doesn’t slow your connection down to any meaningful degree
  • Protects your privacy with a no-logging policy
  • Includes effectively uncrackable encryption and various other security features
  • Provides apps for all of the most popular operating systems

This is just an overview of our VPN testing process, but you can find a more detailed description of our methodology below. For now, let’s take a closer look at the ones that made our list.

Here are the best VPNs for getting a French IP address:

1. NordVPN

                    Jan 2023

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

NordVPN is our first choice for anyone looking to get a French IP address when they travel. Not only does it offer access to over 230 French servers, but it’s one of the best around in terms of sheer unblocking ability. You’ll be able to stream TF1, your home Netflix France library, and Canal+ on up to six of your devices at once. Best of all, this VPN only has a small impact on your connection speeds.

This service prioritizes your security, and it shows. The apps come with 256-bit AES encryption, protection against WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks, and an app-specific kill switch. NordVPN even launched its own protocol recently, NordLynx, which is easier to audit than OpenVPN. Speaking of audits, NordVPN has twice had independent auditors verify its strict no-logs policy. If you have any problems, you can get in touch with support staff 24/7 over email or live chat.

NordVPN has its own Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS apps. If you’d prefer to protect all of your devices simultaneously, you can also manually install it on a wide range of routers.

BEST VPN FOR A FRENCH IP ADDRESS:NordVPN is our first choice. Not only is it a reputable, security-conscious provider, it also has over 230 French servers and is one of the best at bypassing regional blocking. All plans include a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

  • Choose from 230+ French servers
  • Plenty of high-speed servers located worldwide
  • Unblocks French TV plus most popular geo-locked streaming services
  • Top-notch security features
  • Regularly verified no-logging policy
  • Knowledgeable customer support available 24/7

Cons:

  • The only VPN in this list that doesn’t let you disconnect in one click (on desktop)

Our score:

Find out more in our complete NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website: www.Surfshark.com

This VPN hides your activities from snoopers with a combination of leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption, and a kill switch. It also boasts a CleanWeb mode capable of blocking ads, trackers, and malware, as well as a NoBorders mode designed for bypassing country-wide web blocking. Surfshark follows a strict no-logs policy and accepts three cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple). Live chat and email support are available anytime, day or night.

Surfshark has apps for iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. This VPN is now fully compatible with Apple’s M1 chip and provides greater stability and lower battery usage on macOS systems. It can be manually installed on Tomato, DD-WRT, and Asus routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is our top low-cost option. It’s an extremely versatile service that doesn’t compromise on security, privacy, or unblocking ability. What’s more, it lets users secure all of their devices at once. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Servers in 100+ countries, including France

  • Can access Netflix France, Canal+, and more French content

  • Stands side-by-side with pricier services when it comes to security

  • No connection limit

  • 24/7 customer support

  • Settings menu could be a little more organized

For more information, check out the full Surfshark review.

3. ExpressVPN

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN checks all of the boxes. First of all, its network spans 94 countries, including France. Users can choose between servers in Paris or Strasbourg, although either will unblock your favorite French websites and services while away from home. It also provides impressive speeds and permits up to five connections at once, which means you can browse safely even when out and about.

Security-conscious users will appreciate ExpressVPN’s 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. This service even has its own protocol, Lightway, which claims to keep you safe even while you switch between networks. ExpressVPN doesn’t store any data that could identify you, but users can pay in Bitcoin for added peace of mind. Need help? There’s an extensive support section on the website, as well as 24/7 live chat.

ExpressVPN provides access to its own Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps. Additionally, this service has its own custom router firmware, which just received an update and now works more reliably than ever before.

EXTREMELY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is a strong all-rounder that’s spent years earning its users’ trust. It has reliable French servers, the ability to unblock major streaming services abroad, and a great set of built-in security tools. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Reputable service with real everyday usage potential

  • Servers in 94 countries, including France

  • Takes user security and privacy very seriously

  • Pay anonymously with Bitcoin

  • 24/7 live chat

  • Slightly higher price than some others

  • Streaming servers aren’t labeled

Take a look at our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

Website: www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost takes the stress out of using a VPN. Not only does it have 950+ servers in France alone, it even tells you which ones are able to unblock popular French content streaming services. Better still, it allows torrenting on specific servers and only has a small impact upon your connection speeds. Users are free to connect up to seven devices at once.

This ease of use extends to the settings menu too. All of CyberGhost’s security features come pre-configured, so you can take advantage of 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and tracker blocking with a single click. This provider doesn’t log any personally identifiable information and, unlike many of its rivals, publishes regular transparency reports. The apps are quite easy to get to grips with but 24/7 support is available just in case you need any help.

CyberGhost has iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux apps. This VPN can also be installed on many wireless routers, but you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS:CyberGhost couldn’t be easier to use. It signposts its streaming servers, has pre-configured security tools, and a 24/7 support desk just in case. With more than 950 French servers and a 45-day money-back guarantee, there’s plenty to like.

  • Has 950+ French servers to choose from

  • Clearly labeled servers for accessing RTL, Netflix France, and Canal+

  • All security features enabled by default

  • Offers around-the-clock support

  • 45-day money-back guarantee

  • Maybe less suitable for experienced users

  • Doesn’t work reliably in China

Interested? Why not read our full review of CyberGhost?

5. IPVanish

Website: www.IPVanish.com

IPVanish has approximately 30 servers in France spread across Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux, plus around 2000 elsewhere in the world. Notably, it owns all of these, giving it greater control over who has access to your traffic. In fact, this provider recently made improvements to the network that resulted in higher speeds than before (we saw an average of about 60 Mbps in our latest tests). One other thing that helps IPVanish stand out is that it allows users to secure as many devices as they like.

There’s a lot to like from a security perspective too. For instance, IPVanish apps feature 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, but also some rarer features like LAN traffic blocking, OpenVPN obfuscation, and an automatic reconnection option. This is a zero-logs provider and, as such, can’t divulge details of your online activity to anyone. If you’re having problems, don’t panic: support staff are ready to help you out via 24/7 live chat.

IPVanish has its own Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS apps. If you’d like to use this service on your Linux system or network router, you can, although manual configuration is required.

PROTECT EVERY DEVICE:IPVanish gives you everything you need to protect yourself abroad. There’s a suite of advanced security tools, a true no-logs policy, and, most importantly, no connection limit. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • Operates around 30 self-owned servers in France

  • Punches above its weight on security

  • Connect any number of devices

  • 24/7 live support

  • No Linux app

  • Doesn’t accept Bitcoin for payment

Check out our complete review of IPVanish.

6. PrivateVPN

Website: www.PrivateVPN.com

If you’re worried about your privacy, this might be the service you need. PrivateVPN recently began acting as its own ISP and hosting provider, meaning it has complete control over your data at all times. As you might expect, there’s also a true no-logs policy in place. Its apps secure your traffic with 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a kill switch (on Windows), and a Stealth mode that lets you browse the web freely in places like China.

PrivateVPN apps are available for Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. Plus, this service can be manually installed on popular Linux distributions and a wide selection of routers.

BROWSE SAFELY ABROAD:PrivateVPN comes packed with security tools and owns its servers outright. It’s able to bypass some of the world’s strictest online blocking, so French TV doesn’t present much of a challenge. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • One of the faster VPNs we’ve tested

  • Capable of unblocking all but the most stubborn services abroad

  • Great security and privacy offering

  • Small network of servers

  • Support isn’t available 24/7

Still have questions? Find answers in our detailed PrivateVPN review.

7. Atlas VPN

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Background
  • FireTV

Website: www.atlasvpn.com

Atlas VPN is a highly reliable choice if you’re traveling abroad and need a French IP address. That’s because its fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth make it a highly suitable VPN for streaming Netflix France, TF1, and 6Play. We tested its speed for ourselves, and it measured an average of 247 Mbps. This means you won’t have to contend with low-resolution and lag-filled streams regardless of your location.

Upon connecting to an Atlas VPN server, your internet traffic is secured with 256-bit AES encryption. This VPN doesn’t keep logs by which you can be identified and also provides DNS leak protection and a kill switch feature. For multiple layers of encryption, you can connect to one of Atlas VPN’s MultiHop servers. Note that this VPN even offers an ad, malware, and tracker blocker for even greater protection.

HIGHLY SECURE:Atlas VPN is particularly fast, allowing you to stream Netflix France and TF1 from anywhere in the world. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Strong security with MultiHop servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.

  • High-speed connections for little to no lag when streaming

  • Secure as many devices as you like simultaneously

  • Keeps you safe with MultiHop servers and an ad blocker

  • Relatively small network of servers

  • Doesn’t yet support Linux or routers

  • Customer service could use some improvement.

Why not read our in-depth Atlas VPN review?

Methodology: How we chose our recommendations

As mentioned above, we’d rather only recommend the best of the best. That’s why we carefully considered all of the challenges you might face when traveling outside of France and tailored our recommendations to fit. Specifically, we paid close attention to the following aspects of each service when making a decision:

Interested in learning more about how we test VPNs at Comparitech? We’ve actually written a comprehensive guide to our VPN testing methodology that you might find enlightening.

Will a free VPN give me a French IP address?

Although you may be able to obtain a French IP address using a free VPN, we advise against doing so. These services often only allow you to use a certain amount of bandwidth each month free, so they’re not a good choice for day-to-day usage. What’s more, because free providers tend to have smaller networks, they’re easier for geo-blocked services to identify and blacklist.

Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg. In a bid to attract users, free VPNs have been known to misrepresent how secure they actually are. For instance, one study found that dozens of free VPNs are still using outdated encryption ciphers or failing to encrypt data at all. These services are supposed to improve your privacy, not weaken it, which is why we strongly recommend choosing a quality paid service like those listed above or in our best VPNs for France article instead of a free one.

Obviously, we encourage you to research local laws if there’s any doubt. However, unless you’re in one of a few specific countries, it’s unlikely you’ll get into any trouble for simply using a VPN.

For instance, it’s possible your online banking service will temporarily restrict access to your account if you try logging in from another country. Using a French VPN server (provided you usually live in France) should prevent your bank from realizing you’re abroad and allow you to safely use your online banking from anywhere.

Finally, having a French IP address will hide your true location. This is helpful if you’re looking to blog, game, or report without worrying about people tracking you down. Naturally, you’ll also have to be careful about revealing personal information online, but a VPN is a great first step to protect your online activity.