How to Watch BBC iPlayer in France for FREE in 2024
BBC iPlayer is a UK-based streaming service, available free of charge, via which you can watch a range of BBC channels and on-demand content. It is available exclusively for UK citizens. If you try to access it from another country, you'll get a message saying that BBC iPlayer is available in the UK only due to rights issues. Even if you have an account, if you travel outside the UK, you won't be able to use it.
However, you can bypass those geo-restrictions and use BBC iPlayer in France - as long as you have a capable VPN. The streaming service can see your location based on your IP address. With a VPN, you can change your virtual location. So, you can make it seem like you're streaming from the UK, even though you're in France.
This article will teach you how to watch BBC iPlayer in France, why you need a VPN to do it, and which VPN to choose. It will also cover how to register for iPlayer, what to watch, how to troubleshoot things if you can't access BBC iPlayer in France with a VPN, and more. We'll wrap things up by answering some FAQs.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer in France
To watch BBC iPlayer in France, you need to change your IP by using a VPN and connecting to a UK server. Then, you can create a free account and start watching. The whole process takes only a few minutes and is pretty straightforward. Follow these steps:
1. Subscribe to a VPN that works with iPlayer (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN on your device(s).
3. Launch the VPN and connect to a UK server.
4. Open the BBC iPlayer website and click "Sign In."
5. Click “Register now” beneath the button to create an account.
6. Select your age category (“Under 16” has some restricted content).
7. Enter your date of birth and click on “Continue.”
8. Input your account details (find a UK postcode to use by searching online) and click “Register.”
9. Go back to the iPlayer home page and pick what you want to watch.
10. You will be asked if you have a UK TV license (confirm that you do).
11. Determine if you want to turn on the Parental Guidance lock, and press "Play."
12. That's it! Now you can watch BBC iPlayer in France.
Since iPlayer requires a British TV license, UK citizens pay for it to watch it. You won’t be paying for the license, which means you'll get to watch BBC iPlayer in France for free. Because of that, you will face a penalty of £1,000. However, no one has ever had to pay the penalty for watching BBC iPlayer without a license.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in France?
You need a VPN to stream BBC iPlayer in France because iPlayer is only available in the UK. This is due to licensing agreements that allow it to legally distribute content.
If you visit BBC iPlayer's website in France, you can see all the platform's content. However, when you click "Watch Now" on any title and try to actually watch BBC iPlayer abroad, the following message will appear above the video: "BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it's due to rights issues."
The same issue appears if you use a different browser or try to access the site in Incognito mode as BBC iPlayer will still see your location. So, to successfully unlock all the content, you need to make it seem like you are in the UK. That's where VPNs come in. When you get a VPN, you can connect to a server in the UK. By doing so, your IP address will change, and you'll display one from the UK.
However, not all VPNs can unblock BBC iPlayer because it detects VPN IPs and blocks their access. That's why you need the best BBC iPlayer VPN. To make things easy for you, we recommend you try NordVPN, as has hundreds of UK server, it's super fast, and it easily unblocks any streamers, including iPlayer.
The Best VPNs for Streaming BBC iPlayer in France
The best VPN to choose must be able to unblock BBC iPlayer in France, as well as other streaming services. This means it needs to have extensive UK servers and a large worldwide network. That, coupled with some form of obfuscation, will let you access any content you want from anywhere, even on restrictive networks.
Never skimp out on speed and performance - after all, no one wants to see the dreaded buffering wheel. Also, get a VPN with a kill switch and strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy and prevent IP leaks. Not to mention tried-and-tested protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, equipped with impenetrable AES-256 encryption (or equivalent).
You’ll need a VPN that supports as many devices as possible, from Windows to Mac, smartphones, tablets, and more. Multiple simultaneous connections are a must, while 24/7 live chat, affordable pricing, and a generous money-back guarantee will offer peace of mind.
Based on the criteria above, these are the best VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer in France:
- NordVPN – Our #1-Rated VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in France
- Surfshark – Unblock BBC iPlayer with Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
- ExpressVPN – Best Stealth VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer in France
1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer in France
NordVPN is easily the best VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in France because it unblocks BBC iPlayer effectively. This is thanks to solid tools like SmartPlay and 440+ powerful UK servers in 4 cities (Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Manchester) to help you. Moreover, you gain access to 6,100+ servers in 104 countries so you can try different streaming platforms.
NordVPN delivers incredible speeds and performance, whether you’re watching BBC iPlayer in France or abroad on holiday. It’s consistently been one of the fastest providers on the market, so you’ll never run into annoying buffering issues - even with 4K video or during live streams.
The VPN comes with a variety of specialized servers, including obfuscated ones for when you want to sneak in some Peaky Blinders during lunch. There’s also a kill switch to ensure your real IP isn’t exposed during unforeseen disconnects.
Privacy-wise, NordVPN maintains a robust no-logs policy so the provider doesn’t peek in on your online activity. Plus, you get the best protocols available today: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec (with AES-256 encryption), and NordLynx (WireGuard-based alternative, ChaCha20-enabled).
NordVPN has easy-to-use apps on most platforms, whether you’re on Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and others. BBC iPlayer lets you stream on up to 5 devices, so it’s a good thing that NordVPN provides 10 simultaneous connections.
Run into issues? Contact NordVPN’s 24/7 live chat support for help. Plans start at $3.39/month (for a 2-year contract) and come with a generous 30-day money-back policy.
PROS
- 4 UK cities, 440+ servers.
- Works on BBC iPlayer and more.
- 6,100+ servers worldwide.
- Stealth servers + SmartPlay.
- 24/7 live chat.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Network only partially obfuscated.
2. Surfshark – Unblock BBC iPlayer with Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
Surfshark is a great runner-up for unblocking BBC iPlayer (and other services) in France, offering smart DNS and more features to evade geo-blocks. You also get 3,200+ servers in 100 countries (200+ servers in 4 UK locations - London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh). This means you won’t encounter overcrowding issues, nor will you run out of streaming options.
Surfshark offers lightning-fast speeds and impeccable performance, aided in part by its unique Nexus feature. Nexus routes user traffic through Surfshark’s whole server network, which both stabilizes your connection and allows for IP rotation without interruptions.
The VPN includes both a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy to keep your IP and browsing 100% private. You also have Camouflage Mode (aka obfuscation) to hide your VPN activity from any snooping network admins and other third parties.
Surfshark secures your data with the leading trio of protocols, consisting of OpenVPN, IKEv2 (both with the AES-256 cipher), and WireGuard - a speedy option that is equipped with ChaCha20 encryption.
The best part about Surfshark is that you get unlimited simultaneous connections with any plan. It also works on every popular operating system, including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, and plenty more.
Prices start at $2.29/month (2-year plan), and Surfshark has a 30-day money-back policy so you can always try something else. Get in touch with 24/7 live chat first, as they should help solve most issues.
PROS
- Stable performance with Nexus.
- Obfuscated servers (Camouflage Mode).
- Includes smart DNS.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- 24/7 live chat.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Below-average initial connection times.
3. ExpressVPN – Best Stealth VPN to Stream BBC iPlayer in France
ExpressVPN is an excellent alternative to stream BBC iPlayer in France, as well as other platforms worldwide. You get 3,000+ servers in 105 countries to choose from, including plenty of servers in 5 UK locations (Wembley, London, Docklands, East London, and Midlands). Every server is equipped with obfuscation technology to mask the fact that you’re using a VPN.
The provider comes with lightning-fast speeds worldwide, so you’ll have zero trouble watching HD and 4K videos on BBC iPlayer in France. Performance remains consistent no matter your location, or which streaming service you’re on.
Naturally, ExpressVPN has a kill switch to prevent any accidental IP leaks when the VPN connection drops. Moreover, the provider’s no-logs claims have been extensively audited, so your privacy is guaranteed while using the service.
The VPN features an in-house protocol called Lightway, which uses highly secure WolfSSL encryption without sacrificing anything in terms of speed. You can also choose classic options like AES-256-enabled OpenVPN or IKEv2 if you prefer.
ExpressVPN offers a generous 8 simultaneous connections, great for accessing BBC iPlayer from abroad, securing your transactions, and more. The VPN is supported on a wide array of systems, such as Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, iOS, Apple TV, and more.
Plans start at $6.67/month (paid annually), and you can test out ExpressVPN for up to 30 days thanks to their hefty money-back guarantee. For any questions at all, feel free to contact 24/7 live chat.
PROS
- 105 countries, 5 UK locations.
- Easily unblocks BBC iPlayer.
- Fully obfuscated VPN.
- 8 simultaneous connections.
- 24/7 live chat.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- On the expensive side.
What Can You Watch on BBC iPlayer from France?
BBC iPlayer is the home of quality British television. Stream outstanding TV shows like Peaky Blinders or Doctor Who, enjoy hundreds of hours of reality TV like The Apprentice or Bring the Drama, or get ready for movie night with Aftersun or Brooklyn.
See what’s on British telly with live TV streams of BBC 1 through BBC 4, BBC Scotland, BBC Alba, BBC Parliament, S4C, and something for the kids on CBBC/CBeebies. Sports enthusiasts will be happy to know they can catch Premier League matches (among others), see highlights from NBA and MLB playoffs, catch the latest Formula 1 race, and much more.
Here’s a handy table with more quality content to watch on BBC iPlayer from France:
Can't Access BBC iPlayer in France With a VPN? – Try This!
If you can't access BBC iPlayer in France with a VPN, there are a number of possible reasons for this happening. There could be server issues, in which case you can switch to another UK-based VPN server and see if that fixes the issue. There could also be Internet connection problems, application conflicts, and more. Here are some solutions you can try:
- Restart Your Device/VPN – Always try the easiest option first. Many times you'll get lucky and it will take care of the issue. Often there are background malfunctions that rebooting will reset.
- Check Your Internet – If your Internet connection is slow or unsteady, it will affect both the performance of your VPN and of BBC IPlayer. Try switching to a different source like mobile data and see if things start working.
- Update Your VPN – Fixes for issues like incompatibility with various streaming services are often included with app updates. Besides that, outdated applications tend to not run properly. By keeping your VPN app up to date, you'll eliminate this concern.
- Switch to Another UK-Based Server – Your chosen server might be experiencing technical problems that hinder its ability to function properly, or it could be overcrowded. To fix this, you can choose another UK-based server. As simple as that.
- Use a Different VPN Protocol – We recommend the OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols for those who want to unblock iPlayer in France. However, NordVPN also offers NordLynx, which is excellent for streaming. If one is not working, feel free to try another via your VPN app's settings.
- Clear Your Cache – Every site, platform, and app stores cookies. If you've tried to access iPlayer in the past without changing your location, the website has probably stored your geo-data. This won't allow you to watch its content. Try removing the cache data on your device or Web browser and see if things start working.
- Try Incognito Mode – If nothing else is helping, you can try switching to "Incognito Mode" in your browser to help your VPN along.
- Temporarily Disable Your Firewall – When VPNs are installed, they add an exception to your firewall's rules, or at least they should. Try disabling your firewall temporarily and see if you can use BBC iPlayer with your VPN. If it works, you'll know it was the firewall blocking it and you need to manually add an exception.
- Uninstall Other VPN Apps – Every once in a while, having multiple VPN apps installed at once can cause conflicts. Uninstall all VPNs except for the one you're using, just in case.
- Contact Your VPN's Customer Support – You can contact your VPN's customer support team if none of the above-mentioned solutions work. Many VPNs, including NordVPN, offer 24/7 live chat support and fast responses.
- Use a Different VPN – If all else fails, just try a different provider. The one you're using might not work with BBC iPlayer.
Can I Watch BBC iPlayer in France With a Free VPN?
Yes, you can watch BBC iPlayer in France with a free VPN, though we recommend against doing so. Not only is there a high likelihood of the VPN being blocked on iPlayer, but free providers often come with drawbacks that result in a subpar streaming experience.
These include slow speeds, a small number of overcrowded servers, or monthly data caps that are only good for a couple of episodes before you have to go for a premium subscription. Plus, many free VPNs collect and sell your data to make a profit. The better choice is a VPN free trial, which will let you access BBC iPlayer without limitations.
The NordVPN free trial gets you 440+ UK servers, breakneck speeds, and SmartPlay to get around geo-blocks - completely free on Android for 7 days and up to 30 days on other devices with the VPN’s money-back guarantee. Most top VPN providers have similar policies, so check them out if you’re interested in something more long-term.
Final Thoughts
BBC iPlayer is only available to users in the United Kingdom due to licensing issues and the fact that UK users pay a TV license to access iPlayer. If you live or travel outside the UK, you won’t be able to access it. Of course, you can skip all that nonsense and unblock BBC iPlayer by changing your IP address to the UK with a reliable VPN.
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in France. The VPN comes equipped with 440+ UK servers (6,100+ worldwide), is incredibly fast, and has a neat SmartPlay feature to hide your DNS queries - thus masking your true location more effectively.
That would be all regarding how to watch BBC iPlayer in France. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Thank you for reading!