How To Watch French Netflix Outside France (Updated for 2024)
Netflix is one of the biggest streaming platforms on the internet, with millions of subscribers worldwide. It has libraries of interesting shows and movies that users can either download or stream on the platform. However, like many other streaming platforms, Netflix keeps certain content exclusive to a particular region or country.
This means that there is certain content on Netflix France exclusive to the French and visitors in the country. Therefore, trying to access the streaming platform while abroad may seem impossible. However, thanks to a VPN (Virtual Private Network), that’s not the case.
This article will describe how you can bypass the geo-restrictions on Netflix to access French series and movies from outside France. Additionally, we’ll discuss the best VPNs available and other useful information.
How To Watch French Netflix Outside France
Netflix France only allows subscribers in France to access certain content on the platform. This means that while you may have an active subscription, you won’t have access to all your favorite movies or shows while abroad. This can be inconvenient for French citizens traveling abroad or people in other countries interested in French content.
To bypass the geo-blocks, people turn to various means, including subscribing to proxy servers. However, in our opinion, the best way to watch French Netflix abroad is to use a VPN. A VPN is excellent for getting past geo-restrictions, while also granting you improved privacy and security.
Netflix implements its restrictions by detecting users’ IP addresses. IP addresses are like fingerprints because they are unique to every device. They can reveal certain personal information, including your location. So while on Netflix, the platform can detect your IP address and block you if you’re not in France.
The good news is that VPNs operate servers located across the world. Connecting to a server in France from anywhere in the world will allow you to watch all the French content you want on Netflix. This is because the VPN cloaks your real IP address with a new one that makes you appear to be in France.
However, before we show you how to set up a VPN properly to bypass the geo-restriction on Netflix, let’s look at the best VPN services in the market.
Recommended VPNs for Unblocking French Netflix Outside France
When it comes to using a VPN to unblock French Netflix abroad, there are many options you can come across on the internet. However, these VPNs offer different service qualities, which is why we advise you to use only the best options available. Here’s a rundown of the best VPN providers you can choose from:
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 94 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
ExpressVPN is, without a doubt, the best VPN provider in the market. Over several years, this VPN provider has built a name by offering outstanding services to millions of users worldwide. In addition, ExpressVPN is your best choice to watch popular french shows and movies like Mortel, Mariane, Lupin, and Into The Night from any location.
This VPN’s headquarters is in the British Virgin Islands, and it operates 3000+ servers in 94 countries, including France. These servers are located in Paris and Strasbourg. ExpressVPN offers super-fast internet connections for you to enjoy French Netflix without lags or buffering.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN provides unlimited bandwidth and speed. So, if your ISP (Internet Service Provider) occasionally throttles your data, this VPN protects you from that.
ExpressVPN is equipped with TrustedServer technology, which is built to ensure that the servers never save data to the hard disk. Additionally, this VPN provider maintains a strict no-log policy which means that it is not in the business of storing or sharing your data.
ExpressVPN is highly secure. This VPN uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch to protect your data traffic. ExpressVPN also has split tunneling features and IP leak protection.
Whatever device you use to access Netflix, ExpressVPN has a compatible app that you can easily install. Also, you can connect up to five devices simultaneously with one account. In addition, ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 5342 in 58 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
Number two on our list is NordVPN. If you’re abroad and you miss your French shows back home on Netflix, or you’re just interested in French content, this VPN can spoof your IP address so you can enjoy all the movies and series you want.
NordVPN operates an impressive server network of more than 5000 servers in 60 countries. More than 230 of these servers are located in two French cities. With so many servers at your disposal, you can easily connect to the fastest available and go ahead to unblock French Netflix no matter where you are in the world.
NordVPN’s servers come in handy for bypassing the geo-block on French content on Netflix. Furthermore, NordVPN has no speed and bandwidth limits.
This VPN makes sure that you stay completely protected while you use it to watch videos on French Netflix. NordVPN is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, CyberSec, Onion over VPN, split tunneling, and data leak protection.
NordVPN maintains a strict no-log policy. This means your privacy is ensured because the VPN doesn’t keep or share your data with third parties. So, whatever you decide to watch on French Netflix or do with the VPN, there will be no trackable detail on record.
NordVPN allows you to connect up to six devices to one account. Furthermore, the VPN is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. NordVPN offers a complete refund if you decide to end your subscription within the first 30 days.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
Surfshark
Features
- Free trial? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
- Ad blocking? Yes
- Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries
Pros/Cons
- No footprints
- Allows torrenting
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Not the fastest
Surfshark is a great budget-friendly provider that offers top-tier premium services, high-speed connections, and other features. No matter where you are, this VPN grants you access to French Netflix seamlessly.
Surfshark’s headquarters is in the British Virgin Islands. This provider has over 3000 servers in more than 60 countries, including France. Thanks to its NoBorder mode, you can easily bypass geo-restrictions and unblock Netflix.
This VPN offers high-speed internet connections, perfect for streaming or downloading high-definition movies and shows on Netflix. Surfshark also provides unlimited bandwidth and speed. So, you can watch the French movies or series on your list without data throttling, lagging, and buffering.
Surfshark uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, and it implements other VPN protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2. This VPN is also equipped with a kill switch, MultiHop, Camouflage mode, private DNS, and IP leak protection.
This VPN maintains a serious no-log policy, which means you can trust the VPN not to save and share your data logs with third parties.
Surfshark has apps available for all major operating platforms. In addition, there’s no limit to how many devices you can simultaneously connect to one paid account. And lastly, Surfshark has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest Price: $2.49
CyberGhost
Features
- Connected devices at once: 7
- Automatic kill switch? Yes
- One click connect: Yes
- Servers: 5900 worldwide
Pros/Cons
- No logs policy
- 24/7 live chat
- Apps for mobile devices and routers
- No free option
CyberGhost is another great budget-friendly VPN provider with unique features and services. This VPN also offers robust security, excellent speeds, and unblocking abilities that can grant you access to French Netflix from anywhere.
CyberGhost is based in Romania, and it operates the most extensive server network on our list. It has 6000+ servers in 91 countries, including France. In addition, CyberGhost’s reliable unblocking capabilities effortlessly bypass the geo-restriction on Netflix. This VPN is also very fast, and it has unlimited bandwidth and speed.
This VPN is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, an ad blocker, a malware scanner, and data leak protection to protect you. In addition, CyberGhost supports WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols.
CyberGhost doesn’t store records of your internet activities on their servers, and thanks to a strict no-log policy, you can rest assured that you are not leaving valuable information behind without your knowledge.
CyberGhost works on all major operating platforms. In addition, one subscription plan allows you to connect up to seven devices at the same time. Another unique thing about this VPN provider is that it has a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
- Lowest price: €2
ProtonVPN
Features
- P2P support? Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee? Yes
- Country of origin? Switzerland
- Servers: 600+ in over 40 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 5
Pros/Cons
- Professional support
- Modern interface and apps
- AES-256 encryption
- Lesser known provider
ProtonVPN has a reputation for its unblocking abilities, security, and privacy features. This VPN will have you catching up with all your favorite French series and movies while abroad in no time.
ProtonVPN’s headquarters is in Switzerland, and it operates over 1200 servers in 55 countries, including France. Although this VPN provider doesn’t have a very broad server network, it still performs excellently.
Any of its servers is capable of getting past the geo-block on Netflix. In addition, ProtonVPN also offers high-speed internet connections for the best experience on the streaming platform.
ProtonVPN also stands out in terms of security. It is equipped with AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and other security features. Additionally, ProtonVPN supports excellent VPN protocols.
Furthermore, ProtonVPN also maintains a strict no-log policy. So, your sessions on any of its servers get deleted the moment you disconnect from the server.
This VPN works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. Also, with one paid account, you can have up to ten simultaneous connections. ProtonVPN is the only VPN on our list that has a free version. Unfortunately, the free version doesn’t give you access to servers in France. However, all paid plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Pros: Professional support; Modern interface and apps; AES-256 encryption;
- Lowest price: €4
What to Consider Before Using a VPN to Watch French Netflix Outside France
You must use the best VPN for all your internet activities. But the question usually is, how do you know the best among the numerous options in the market? Well, to narrow down your choices, here are some factors you should consider:
Availability of French Servers
The most important factor that should affect your choice is the availability of servers located in France. Without a French IP from a VPN server, it will be impossible for you to access content on Netflix that’s exclusive to people in France. So, you must ensure that the VPN provider operates a server or more in France.
Security and Privacy Features
The best VPNs are equipped with the latest security features, which typically makes them the most secure option on the market. Important security features include a kill switch, an ad blocker, split tunneling, and data leak protection.
Additionally, ensure that the VPN guarantees your privacy. Your choice VPN should have a no-log policy which means that they don’t log the history of your internet activities to their servers.
Speed
Speed is another significant factor that affects your experience on Netflix France. Although VPNs tend to reduce your internet connection speed because of their encryption protocols, the best providers can significantly improve your speed.
How To Set Up a Server to Watch French Netflix Abroad
It’s easy to set up a VPN on your device. Although there may be some slight differences in the setup process of specific VPNs, here are some general steps you can follow as a guide:
Sign Up for a VPN
First off, you’ll need to decide which VPN provider is well suited for you. The VPNs on our list are great options, so you can visit any of the providers’ websites to sign up and subscribe to a VPN plan.
If you’re looking for a free VPN for France, click here.
Download and Install the VPN App
Next, you’ll have to download the VPN app compatible with your device and install it. Typically, you’ll find available versions on the provider’s website, or you can check your device’s app store. After installing the app, sign in to your VPN account.
Connect to a Server
After logging into your account, the next thing is to connect to an appropriate server; in this case, that’s a server in France. Although VPNs can automatically connect you to the server, you’ll need to specifically choose ‘France’ on the list of server locations.
Visit Netflix France
Once you’re connected to a VPN server in France, you will now be able to stream or download French series and movies on Netflix.
Conclusion
There is so much interesting French content on Netflix, but unfortunately, not all of it is available to users living outside France. However, in this article, we’ve shown you how a VPN can bypass the geo-restrictions on Netflix France, the best VPNs, and more.