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How to watch French TV online in the US


Want to watch French TV in the US? From live news to popular shows and sports, many French channels are restricted outside France due to licensing rules. Fortunately, there’s a simple way around this.

By using a reliable VPN, you can get a French IP address and stream your favorite content as if you were in France. In this guide, you’ll learn how to access French TV online from the US, along with tips for choosing the best VPN for smooth, secure streaming.

How to watch French TV in the US with VPN

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  1. Choose a VPN with servers in France, I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF
  2. Download the VPN on your device
  3. Launch the app and connect to a server in France
  4. Go to your favorite French TV streaming app
  5. Log in or create an account and start streaming French TV from the US

Why use a VPN to stream French TV

There are quite a few reasons you may benefit from a VPN for streaming French TV. Here are some of them:

  1. Access geo-restricted shows. If you’re not physically in France, there’s a good chance you’ll get an error message when you try to stream your favorite French TV. A VPN helps bypass these restrictions and lets you watch content without interruptions.
  2. Bypass ISP throttling. Some ISPs tend to slow down your internet connection when you start doing data-heavy activities, such as streaming or gaming. A VPN hides your online activities, so your ISP can’t throttle your connection and slow down your speeds.
  3. Improve online security and privacy. A high-quality VPN will encrypt your traffic, making your online browsing activity more private and secure. This is handy if you want to stay safe when hopping on public Wi-Fi or looking to avoid unnecessary data collection.

Top best VPNs to watch French TV

We tested dozens of reliable VPN services to see which ones are best for unblocking French content. We researched their French server networks and features as well as tested their performance and streaming capabilities. Here are our top options for effortless French TV streaming:

How we tested the best VPNs for French TV

We tested dozens of VPNs to see which are the best to watch French TV in the US or abroad. We found that not all VPNs have what it takes to bypass geo-restrictions. So, here are the VPN testing criteria we used to determine which VPNs are suitable for streaming French content:

  • Servers in France (40%). To stream French TV online, you’re going to need a French IP address. That’s why we only included VPNs that offer servers in France. We looked for services that offered multiple French server locations and even had specialty servers geared toward streaming.
  • Streaming capabilities (25%). We performed various tests to see which streaming platforms certain VPNs unblock. We checked such streaming services as Netflix, France TV, and M6+.
  • Performance (15%). We tested multiple options to see which VPNs are the best for streaming without buffering issues. We only selected services that offer powerful and fast tunneling protocols, such as WireGuard or its modern variations.
  • Security and privacy (15%). Even if you’re looking for a VPN for streaming, we made sure to provide you with VPNs that offer advanced security and privacy measures too. This includes a reliable kill switch as well as a no-logs policy.
  • Price (5%). Even the best VPNs aren’t expensive, so you shouldn’t overpay for a service. I only included products that give you your money’s worth.

How to watch French TV in your country

No matter where you want to watch French TV from, the process of bypassing geo-restrictions won’t be a hassle even for beginner users. Continue reading to find step-by-step instructions on how to stream French content from your location.

Watch French TV in the US

Setting up a VPN in the US to watch French content or streaming services is not difficult at all. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to do it:

  1. Choose a trustworthy VPNI suggest NordVPN, now 75% OFF
  2. Download the VPN and open the app
  3. Select a server in France and connect to it
  4. Go to your favorite French TV streaming platform
  5. Create or log in to your account to begin watching French content

Watch French TV in the UK

Just like in the US, you can easily get a French IP address using this guide to watch French TV in the UK:

  1. Choose a VPN with servers in FranceNordVPN has plenty of French servers
  2. Download and open the VPN app
  3. Connect to a server in France
  4. Open your favorite French TV streaming app
  5. Create an account or log in and start streaming

Watch French TV outside France

You can easily watch French content from anywhere in the world if you set up a VPN. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Choose a dependable VPN with servers in France – I recommend NordVPN
  2. Download the VPN app on your device and follow the installation instructions
  3. Select a server in France and connect
  4. Open the French TV streaming app of your choice
  5. Log in or create an account to start watching French TV

Watch French TV on your devices

You can watch French TV with a VPN on many different devices. However, the process of setting the VPN up may differ. To help you out, I prepared detailed instructions on how to use a VPN for streaming French content on different gadgets.

Watch French TV on smart devices

You can set up a VPN to watch French TV on smart devices, such as phones, tablets, or computers. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to do it:

  1. Open the Play Store or App Store
  2. Download and launch the VPN app
  3. Choose a server in France and connect to it
  4. Now, download the app for your favorite French TV streaming platform
  5. Log in or create your account
  6. Start streaming all your favorite French TV shows on your smart device

Watch French TV on streaming devices

You can set up French TV on different streaming devices, such as Kodi, Roku, Apple TV, and so on. However, not all of them support VPNs, so you’ll have to set up your VPN on a router. Follow these instructions to find out how to do it:

  1. Choose a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN
  2. Download and install the VPN on your computer
  3. Set up the VPN on your router
  4. Connect to a server in France
  5. Open your French TV app and log in/create an account
  6. Select your favorite show to start streaming

How to watch French channels for free

If you’re looking for free French content online, there are several news channels you can watch without a paid subscription. France24, BFM TV, and LCP are all free channels that broadcast in French for a global audience. However, entertainment content, such as the French library of Netflix, will usually require a subscription fee.

In terms of VPNs, I wouldn’t recommend opting for free ones purely because of security reasons. Unreliable free VPNs may collect and sell your data as a means to make a profit. Some may even be malware in disguise.

Alternatively, you could opt for freemium VPN services. They’re free versions of reliable premium VPN providers. However, one thing to note is that they are usually very limited in terms of servers and speeds, don’t offer French servers, and can’t bypass geo-restrictions.

Your best option if you’re on a budget is to get a premium VPN and use its free trial or money-back guarantee.

  1. NordVPN – enjoy French content with servers in Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, and Marseille with a 3-day free trial for Android devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
  2. Surfshark – with servers in Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux, a free 7-day trial for Android and iOS devices, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can enjoy French TV from anywhere in the world.

Best apps to watch French TV

French shows and movies are loved all around the world. If you’re wondering where you can catch the latest in great French series or even watch an old classic, here are some of the best apps to watch French TV:

Streaming platformKnown forPrice
ArteXanaduFree
Netflix FranceLupin
Dix Pour Cent
From $8.99/month
Amazon Prime VideoThe Adventures of Tintin
A French Village
Les revenant
From $8.99/month
HuluMaison closeFrom $11.99/month

And if you’re looking for more French content, you can also check out such channels as France.tv, M6+, and TF1.

Conclusion

There are plenty of great French channels and content, but many of them are geo-restricted. However, whether you want to learn French or simply watch content of the country from anywhere, you can do so using a VPN.

My top recommendation for this is NordVPN. It offers competitive speeds and has over 300 servers in France (Paris, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, and Marseille). You can try it risk-free with its 3-day free trial on Android or take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee.


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