How to Watch Netflix France in 2024: Bonjour Les Films!
Netflix France's library of cinematic treasures is restricted to those in France -- unless you have a basic workaround. Read on to learn how to watch Netflix France from wherever you are with the help of a VPN.
Written by Kit Copson (Writer, Briefing Editor)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)
Last Updated: 2024-09-30T21:11:26+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Watch Netflix France
- Subscribe to a VPN Service: Go to NordVPN’s website and sign up at a 73% discount.
- Connect to a French Server: Open the VPN’s app and connect to a server in France.
- Launch Netflix: Open Netflix and log in to your account to start streaming.
Best VPNs to Watch Netflix France:
- NordVPN — Top-tier VPN with uncompromising performance. You can sign up for NordVPN with a 73% discount and use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.
- Surfshark — Best VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark’s two-year plan offers 86% off on the first two years with three months free.
- ExpressVPN — Slightly more expensive VPN but feature-rich and fast. A 49% discount is available for users who choose ExpressVPN’s extended subscription options.
Given French cinema’s well-earned reputation for excellence, it’s no surprise that film fans around the world are looking for a piece of it. If you’re a French film fan but are outside France, let us show you how to watch Netflix France from anywhere.
The French Netflix library is brimming with gems, from blockbusters and family favorites to the gritty, hard-hitting social realist dramas — like ‘The 400 Blows’ (1959) and ‘Divines’ (2016) — that France is renowned for.
Since Netflix content differs by country, the full French Netflix library is inaccessible outside France. The good news is that you can use a VPN like NordVPN to stream Netflix France securely. Let’s explore this further.
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02/16/2024 Facts checked by Igor Kurtz
We’ve rewritten this guide to include current information on the VPN providers we recommend for watching Netflix France and how to choose the best one for you.
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10/01/2024
We updated the setup process and refreshed the VPN list to align with our current evaluation of top VPN options.
How to Watch French Netflix in 3 Easy Steps
Though Netflix content is different in every country, regional restrictions don’t matter when you’re equipped with a reputable virtual private network (VPN) service and have a Netflix account.
Achieve Online Privacy and Security Even as a VPN Novice
- Comprehend the essential role a VPN plays in safeguarding your digital life
- Gain a deep understanding of how VPNs function under the hood
- Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions
A VPN lets you connect to servers in various countries, which changes your IP address to one in the country you’ve connected to. This makes it appear — at least virtually — as though you’re in that country instead of the one you’re physically in and allows you to bypass geoblocks. Here’s how to use a VPN to get a French IP address and watch Netflix France.
Using a VPN does not give you free access to Netflix. You still need to pay for a Netflix subscription to be able to use the service, regardless of whether you use a VPN.
The Best VPNs to Access Netflix France
If you want a smooth experience when you access French Netflix or want to access other French content (like the French Amazon Prime Video library), you’ll need to opt for a tried-and-tested, fast and secure VPN like one of these providers.
1. NordVPN — Best Netflix France VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is the best VPN for getting a French IP address without breaking the bank. In terms of streaming performance, it can access all streaming services and, as our best fast VPN recommendation, NordVPN shows the most consistent upload and download speeds.
NordVPN’s server selection is decent, covering more than 100 countries. Plus, it has a handy interactive map which makes choosing the country you want a piece of cake.
We also have to give kudos to NordVPN for its flexibility and its affordable long-term plans. You can get a two-year subscription for around $3.99 per month (the Essential plan), but you get more features with the slightly more expensive plans. Learn more about NordVPN in our NordVPN review and try it out with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — Best Cheap VPN for Netflix France
Very Fast
Very Fast
Good
Surfshark has truly earned its stripes as a member of our “top three” club along with ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
If you check out its long-term plans (30-day money-back guarantee included), the first thing you’ll notice is that Surfshark is packed with features for a very low price. The Surfshark Starter 24-month plan costs around $2.19 per month and comes with an ad blocker and cookie pop-up blocker. You can upgrade for more features like antivirus protection and identity protection.
In addition to being dirt cheap and feature-rich, Surfshark is an easy-to-use service with stellar upload and download speeds. It does show high latency in the U.S. and the U.K., but its worldwide latency is good. You can find out more in our Surfshark review.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Best Beginner-Friendly VPN for Netflix France
the ideal VPN to access multiple Netflix libraries.
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
ExpressVPN lets you connect to servers in a wide variety of locations, including several in France. This means you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of the Netflix libraries you can stream when connected to the VPN.
In addition to boasting an impressive server selection, ExpressVPN is secure, has never experienced a server breach and has aced all independent security audits. It’s also a great choice for beginners, as detailed in our ExpressVPN review.
All this comes at a price, though. ExpressVPN’s best-value plan (12 months) is $6.66 per month — much higher than average in the VPN world. However, the 30-day money-back guarantee provides a safety net.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
Why You Need a VPN to Watch Netflix France
If you hadn’t heard of VPNs until now, it’s normal that you’d still be a bit confused as to why you need one for Netflix. Here are the top three reasons why a VPN is invaluable for streaming Netflix.
Netflix content isn’t the same everywhere. Netflix has a different content library in each country, and what’s available depends on licensing agreements. This means you can’t stream your home Netflix library outside of the country unless you use a VPN.
A VPN gives you a new IP address. A VPN can change your IP address to connect you to any Netflix library you want to access. For example, if you want to access Netflix France from abroad, you can connect to a French server to get a French IP address.
A VPN keeps you secure and anonymous while streaming. VPNs protect your data from ISPs, hackers and the like. This is especially important if you travel often and use public WiFi networks in places like airports, cafes or hotels.
How to Choose the Best VPN to Watch Netflix France
When you’re new to a certain type of software, it can be hard to know which providers are worth your while. Here are some things to look for in a VPN to watch Netflix France:
- French servers: Since you need a French IP address to watch Netflix France from outside France, make sure your chosen VPN has servers in France.
- Tight security: Do thorough research on any VPN you have your eye on — not every service is truly secure. Cloudwards regularly tests and evaluates a wide variety of VPNs, so check out those reviews if you need to know how secure a service is.
- No-logs policy: If a VPN has a no-logs policy, it means the provider doesn’t keep data on your browsing history, online activity, IP address or DNS queries.
- Fast: Speed is all-important when it comes to streaming with a VPN. Using a slow service is sure to result in lags and buffering.
- Easy to use: You don’t want to waste valuable streaming time trying to navigate a badly organized app. Pick a VPN with easy-to-use apps and a responsive customer support team.
The Best Free VPN for Watching French Netflix
Unfortunately, some free VPN services’ security and privacy policies are full of holes, which goes against the very grain of what a VPN is designed for. That said, some free VPNs are the exception and are perfectly private and secure. If you’re looking for a free service, we recommend Windscribe for streaming Netflix France.
Windscribe: The Best Free VPN to Stream Netflix France
Windscribe is the best free VPN for Netflix France because it’s secure and has a generous selection of free servers in diverse locations. There are two free servers in Paris, so you have a bit of leeway to play around and see which one works best for you. Furthermore, Windscribe made it into our best fast VPN roundup.
However, the 15GB data cap on Windscribe’s free plan — 2GB on signup, an additional 8GB when you confirm your email and an extra 5GB if you post on X (formerly Twitter) about Windscribe — means you won’t be able to stream for very long. Check out our Windscribe review to learn more.
Free Trials and Money-Back Guarantees
Many VPN services don’t offer free trials but most offer money-back guarantees. This means there’s a grace period — typically 30 days, but this can vary — during which you can claim a full refund if you don’t want to continue with the service.
In our experience, most providers honor the money-back guarantee and issue a refund quickly, but some drag their feet. HideMyAss, for example, refunded us only after several months. Moreover, some VPNs are scams — learn more about this in our worst VPNs guide.
Final Thoughts
You can unblock French Netflix from anywhere and explore new TV shows and movies with a reliable VPN service like NordVPN or Surfshark. With NordVPN’s risk-free 30-day refund period, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving the service a try.
These reputable providers are also adept at keeping your data completely private and secure, offering you peace of mind when you’re not sure who could be snooping around. If you’re interested to go beyond Netflix France, you might want to read our guide on how to watch French TV online.
Do you use a VPN to unblock Netflix or other streaming services and stay secure online? If so, what has your experience been like with that VPN? Let us know in the comments, and thanks for reading.
FAQ: How to Unblock Netflix France
- If you’re located overseas and open your Netflix account, you will have access to Netflix movies in that region, but not in your home country. For example, if you live in the United States but visit France, you won’t be able to access U.S. Netflix.
- The best VPN for French Netflix is NordVPN. It’s fast and reliable, and there are plenty of IP addresses located in France. You can even test it out for 30 days and contact customer support for a full refund if you no longer need it.