How to Watch French TV in UK [Step-by-Step]

Enough of worrying about how to watch French TV channels in the UK because we have the perfect solution for you. It’s a little trick we picked up while looking for ways to beat geo-blocks.

A tool called a Virtual Private Network can be used to bypass geo-restricted streaming services.

France has a good number of TV channels including Arte, Eurosport, FranceTV, TF1, M6, Gulli, PlayTV, LCP, and so on. Unfortunately, they are all restricted in every other part of the world.

How to watch French TV in UK

To watch French TV channels in the UK, you’ll need a good VPN to stealthily take you past geo-blocks on these platforms. We recommend ExpressVPN because it is fast and has about four locations in France.

To gain access to that channel and stream to your satisfaction, do this:

Use ExpressVPN 

1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN and download it to your device.
2. Launch the app and log in with the correct credentials.
3. Click on the ellipsis to display the servers.
4. Pick a location in France and connect to it.
5. Once the VPN is active, go back to the French channel of your choice.
6. Pick the show or movie you like and begin streaming.

Why do you need a VPN to watch French TV in the UK?

You need a VPN to watch French TV in the UK because it can help you bypass geo-blocks on these channels. 

When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a server in another country. 

In this case, if you connect to a VPN server in France, you will be assigned a French IP address. This will trick the French TV channels and streaming services into thinking that you are located in France, and they will allow you to watch their content.

Best VPNs for French TV in the UK 

Some VPNs are better at bypassing geo-restrictions and securing users’ data than others. Since it can be challenging to choose, we’ve picked the five best VPNs for French TV for you.

All of which we’ve tested and they worked well.

Let’s get to it!

1. ExpressVPN – Swift servers for streaming 

Speed is one area where ExpressVPN excels greatly. Its servers run at 10 Gbps which in turn boosts your network connection, enabling you to stream movies and shows from French TV seamlessly.

ExpressVPN quickly bypasses French TV geo-restrictions by masking your IP with a French IP. 

Moreover, this VPN has an automatic kill switch to prevent your location from being exposed when the VPN disconnects.

ExpressVPN uses 256-bit encryption to encrypt your traffic while you are streaming. This hides your activities from third parties including the government.

Lastly, this VPN has dedicated apps for major devices and operating systems including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, routers, and so on. You can even use five devices at once for one account.

✅ Pros

• Split tunneling
• Automatic kill switch
• No activity log
• 24/7 customer support
• Military-grade encryption

❌ Cons

• Costly subscription plans

ExpressVPN

Bypass blocks on French TV in UK with ExpressVPN!

Check price Visit website

2. NordVPN – Fast French TV geo-bypass

NordVPN has a lot of happy customers because it’s really good at helping you get around website restrictions. It’s like a secret tool that works well every time.

This VPN has 230 servers in Marseille and Paris and they work really fast. This is great because it means you won’t have to deal with slow connections anymore.

If you want to watch French TV channels in the UK, like shows on LCP, TV5 Monde, Arte, or Eurosport, NordVPN stays connected and doesn’t interrupt your streaming.

You can use NordVPN on different gadgets like phones, tablets, computers, and even routers. And guess what? You can use it on up to six devices all at once.

✅ Pros

• 5800+ servers in 60 countries.
• 256-bit encryption
• Automatic kill switch
• SmartPlay
• Multi-platform support

❌ Cons

• Refund issues on Apple devices.

NordVPN

Unblock French TV within seconds with NordVPN’s streaming-optimized servers!

Check price Visit website

3. CyberGhost – Dedicated IP

One of the standout features of CyberGhost is the option to use a dedicated IP address. Unlike general VPN IP addresses, which are shared among multiple users, a dedicated IP address is exclusive to you. 

Since French TV channels may have restrictions for viewers outside France, having a dedicated IP can help you avoid detection by these platforms and access the content smoothly.

CyberGhost’s vast server network is another compelling reason to consider it for streaming French TV channels. It has over 9600 super-fast servers spread across 91 countries, including 845 in France. 

Watching TV shows, movies, sports, and documentaries requires a stable and fast connection. With CyberGhost’s emphasis on streaming speed, you can enjoy French TV channels with minimal lag.

✅ Pros:

• Dedicated IP address
• 256-bit military encryption
• Automatic kill switch
• Split tunneling
• 40-day money-back guarantee
• 7 devices simultaneously 

❌ Cons:

• Apple apps have fewer features.

CyberGhost

Enjoy restriction-free streaming of your favorite French channels with CyberGhost!

Check price Visit website

4. PIA – Simultaneous connections

Firstly, PIA’s extensive network of servers in multiple countries, including about 30 in France located in cities like Paris, Lille, Marseille, and so on is a significant advantage for streaming purposes. 

The wide server coverage ensures a fast and stable connection, minimizing the risk of buffering and interruptions.

By connecting to a French server through PIA, users can easily circumvent location-based content blocks. 

This means that you can access and enjoy French TV channels as if you were actually in France.

Secondly, PIA prioritizes privacy and security, which are crucial when streaming content online. 

Finally, with the option to connect multiple devices simultaneously, you can stream French TV channels on different devices without needing a separate subscription for each one. 

✅ Pros:

• Dedicated IP
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Live chat support
• Simultaneous connections
• Automatic kill switch

❌ Cons:

• The interface is not so unfriendly

Private Internet Access

Unblock French channels easily with PIA’s robust features!

Check price Visit website

5. Surfshark – Affordable plans

Surfshark is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable VPN. It is priced lower than many other providers, but it still delivers high-quality performance and security.

This VPN has a large network of servers, including 74 servers in Marseille, Bordeaux, and  Paris in France.  

Surfshark also offers unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream videos, download files, and do other activities.

In terms of security, Surfshark uses strong encryption and a variety of other security features to protect your data. 

It also has a kill switch feature that will disconnect you from the internet if the VPN connection drops, which helps to prevent your data from being exposed.

Another great feature of Surfshark is that it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections. This means that you can share your account with your family and friends, so everyone can enjoy the benefits of a VPN.

✅ Pros:

• Cheap plans
• Simultaneous connections
• 256-bit military encryption
• Dedicated apps for most devices
• Unlimited bandwidth

❌ Cons:

• Data leaks are common in macOS

Surfshark

Watch French TV as if you were in France with Surfshark VPN!

Check price Visit website

Which French TV channels can I stream online?

You can stream about 19 French TV channels online. Then there are special channels in France like France24, BFM TV, and LCP that are not geo-restricted which means you can access them from anywhere in the world.

Below are French TV channels you can stream online:

• France24 (French connections, Eye on Africa, Business Daily, The France 24 interview, Encore, France in focus)
• BFM TV (A President, Europe, and War, Saving Notre Dame, Rebuilding Notre Dame: Inside the Great Cathedral Rescue, Dans la tête d’un flic, Mitard, l’angle mort, Bonsoir Paris)
• TV5 Monde (What Pauline is not telling you, Plein Soleil, Apocalypse: The Second World War, Un village français, Last Year at Marienbad, The Path of Excellence)
• Arte (Triangle of Sadness, The Worst Person in the World, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Nymphomaniac: Vol. I, Love According to Dalva, Dancer in the Dark, About Dry Grasses)
• Gulli (Zig & Sharko, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Ben 10, Les Sisters, Pet Alien, Fish N’ Chips, Total Wipeout, Massive Monster Mayhem, Renovation Island, Authur A New York)
• France O (From, Hit the Floor, The White Queen, Reign, Marianne, The Returned, Versailles, Primeval, Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, The Bureau, Ten Percent, Luther, Spin, Spiral)
• France 4 (Power Players, Foot 2 Rue, Grizzy and the Lemmings, Code Lyoko: Evolution, It’s Only TV, Yakari, Dpogmatix and the INdomitables, Angelo Rules, Boyster, Genie in the House)
• 6Play: reality shows like Love Island France, popular series Top Chef, and exclusive dramas, blending entertainment with lifestyle content

Is it legal to stream French TV in the UK?

Yes, it is legal to stream French TV in the UK. There are no regulations in UK that prohibit using VPN for watching foreign television.

Summary 

If you recently went to the UK, you may get stuck on how to watch French TV from your current location.

It is however easy once you connect to a French server on a VPN.