Are you wondering where to live in France? Here we will explore the top places for expats whether you are a young professional, looking to retire or relocating with your family.

France is the dream destination for many to live in, swept up in visions of fresh baguettes every morning, cold glasses of white wine against picturesque sunsets and visits to art galleries and museums on lazy weekends.

Indeed France presents vast possibilities for those choosing to make the leap and live across ‘the pond’. Today, one of the largest British-born populations outside of the UK resides in France, having increased rapidly through the last century. Estimations of the British population living in France vary between 261,000 to 400,000, and there are many pockets of English-speaking expat areas to be found throughout the country from Paris all the way down to southern Brittany.

But when making the choice to ‘hop the pond’ and head over to France, where is best to choose to settle? As the UK’s first choice international removal company for removals to France, our 40+ years of experience have helped us identify the top locations; and here we cover many factors such as the most affordable places to live in France, the best places in France to live for students, families and retirees. Read on for more information.

1. Paris – The bustling capital

Of course, the French capital is for many a dream destination, full of bustling city life and cultural attractions. Considered one of the best places to live in France for young adults and couples, there are a myriad of professional opportunities and a high level of English speakers throughout the city.

Being the capital and one of the largest cities in Europe, it’s no surprise that Paris is the most expensive place to live in France, with property prices and cost-of-living at between three to four times that of the national average. If you’re looking to move to Paris, the 19^th and 20^th Arrondisements are the cheapest neighbourhoods in the city, and an extensive public transport network makes the suburbs a cheaper and easily commutable option.

Paris is the most diverse city in France, and while you’ll almost certainly find fellow Brits to interact with, you can expect your neighbours and local community to be from all over the world. There are 84 international schools across the capital, but many have waiting lists, so if you’re looking to move a family to Paris, be sure to explore options early on.

2. Toulouse – Perfect for students and food lovers

Toulouse is one of the best places in France to live for students, with over a quarter of the city’s population made up by this demographic. The university culture is widespread here, and the capital of the Occitanie region has been adapted into a thriving and vibrant city. You’ll certainly never be bored in Toulouse: it boasts over 1,000 events a year and with over 160 green spaces as well as the impressive Garonne River, there’s a never-ending amount of outdoor activities to try.

Couples will love the food scene in Toulouse, with 11 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city and more just a stone’s throw across the Spanish border. Eating al fresco is popular given the locale’s mild climate, which presents sunshine for most months of the year.

3. Bordeaux – A taste of home

The south-western port city of Bordeaux is world renowned for its high standard of living, postcard-perfect surroundings and friendly communities, making it one of the best places to live in France for retirees and families alike.

There are large British expat communities across Bordeaux, and the historical rule of Britain of the city until the 12^th century means there are many echoes of home in its architecture and culture. What sets Bordeaux apart from other cities in France is its excellent travel links. The TGV train takes less than three hours to Paris and just six to London, so expats can easily return to the UK for visits and trips.

4. Nice – The tech capital

Nice’s blossoming technology sector is making it one of the best places to live in France for professionals. As more companies set up offices in the Cote d’Azur and enjoy growth across the region, Nice’s stunning coastal backdrop makes it the second most visited city in the country, and tourism and hospitality prove big employers, too.

The cost of living in Nice is higher than elsewhere in France but lower than Paris. There are several large expat communities in the region (largely made up of young professionals and retirees) based across Vieux-Nice, Saint-Roch and Riquier. The suburb of Cimiez is a great area for families and fairly competitive when it comes to property prices.

5. Lille – Capital of culture

Beautiful Lille is a historic city with all the charm you’d expect from the continent and enjoys a lower cost of living than many other areas. The city is entirely walkable, making it popular with families, and as a previously named Capital of Culture, there’s always lots on and plenty to see.

Those looking to move to Europe for a warmer climate probably won’t find what they’re after in Lille; temperature-wise, it’s not dissimilar from the UK. That said, the city’s look and feel are stunning, and it feels very far from Britain in its aesthetics, with a beautiful historic old town and main square.

Expats are warned that they will need to learn French if they’re to live and/or work in Lille, however, as the locals definitely prefer it and English simply isn’t as widely spoken as it is in other French cities.

6. Rennes – Up-and-coming area

Rennes is a great place for families to live in France, and with thriving businesses across the education, healthcare and technology scenes, there are plenty of employment opportunities. Rennes is home to a small but very friendly British expat community, but it’s recommended that you learn French before relocating here. While there are pockets of English-speaking areas, employment is limited for those unable to communicate well in French.

Rennes enjoys a temperate climate and is relatively affordable property- and cost-of-living wise compared to other major French cities. The social scene is active with a great café culture, and low crime rates mean that expats and locals alike can feel really safe in the city.

7. Montpelier – Sunshine and scenery

A beautiful southern city, Montpelier is one of the best places to live in France for retirees looking to escape it all for new surroundings. Long, sunshine-drenched days and a beautifully chilled out way of life make Montpelier the ideal choice for those truly wanting to make the leap to a new lifestyle.

Montpelier is home to seven universities and, as such, thousands of foreign students, making it a popular destination for expats from all around the world. Combined with a healthy tourist scene, it is a melting pot of cultures, and you’ll hear all kinds of languages spoken in its streets.

There are various language schools offering French lessons (including several courses aimed specifically at the over-50s and retirees) and a number of neighbourhoods playing home to foreign citizens. This full immersion in French culture is helped by regular expat events and get-togethers for new arrivals to meet similarly-minded people locally.

8. Nancy – The architectural stunner

While not necessarily a household name, Nancy is one of the most architecturally beautiful cities in the whole of France and boasts several UNESCO World Heritage sites! A quieter town compared to most, the way of living here is slow and very European; so it’s a great place to live in France for retirees and those who already speak a good level of French.

The expat community in Nancy isn’t huge, but they’re well-integrated with the locals, and there are plenty of events on, including all. If you’re looking for sun, though, Nancy may not be for you—in true French style, there’s often a fair bit of rain, and winters can seem long; but there are plenty of little cafes and art galleries to browse indoors when the weather gets wet!

9. Nantes – The expat capital

Nantes has several times been awarded accolades as one of the best places in France for expats to live. It continues to be a destination that PSS International Removals are often called for help with. Whilst often overlooked in favour of the capital, Nantes is a riverside metropolis that offers a work-life balance simply unrivalled in the UK.

The cost of living in Nantes is about average for France, but the quality of living is high. Housing options are limited in the city centre, so you’ll likely need either a car or decent public transport link to the suburbs. Still, you’ll find active expat communities throughout the region.

There are well-rated public and private schools for expat children, so the city is considered amongst the best places in France to live for families—but pack an umbrella; Nantes is known to be rainy.

10. Limoges – The retirees’ quiet spot

Limoges is a popular tourist destination with Brits, spurred on by its inclusion in several routes by budget airline Ryanair. This means that amongst its natural beauty and blossoming tech scene (the city is often lauded for its high levels of entrepreneurship), English is spoken almost entirely throughout. As the city is fairly small, the cost of living is fairly low in comparison to other French regions and the crime rate is safe.

Limoges is reputed worldwide for its excellent medical facilities, making it a great place to live for those with pre-existing conditions who don’t wish to compromise on their dream of residing abroad. The pace of life is slow, but the job market is competitive as it’s fairly limited (particularly to those who don’t speak fluently).

11. Brest – Beachside living

Brest is a fantastic location for those looking to explore a city’s rich cultural heritage and enjoy days out to the beach and beautiful green spaces—making it a great place to live in France for families! It’s not the biggest of French cities, but a low cost of living combined with a high quality of life and lots of attractions make it a popular prospect.

Expats who aren’t yet fluent in French will find that the locals are supportive of their language efforts. Although the international communities aren’t large, they are friendly. However, places in international schools are limited, so families with children of education age will need to make enquiries well ahead of any anticipated move.

12. Marseille-Provence – The melting pot

The bustling city of Marseille is positively brimming with international communities, the majority of them not Brits but rather Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian and Israeli. A city with large Catholic, Jewish and Muslim communities, expats with a faith will find their niche here. Home to France’s largest port, there’s no shortage of employment or travel opportunities.

Expats in Marseille enjoy a Mediterranean climate of mild winters and long hot summers and great transport links to visit home if needed. It’s not thought of as a particularly ‘green’ city, but it does have lots of outdoor spaces and activities available for all ages. The cost of living is moderate but considerably cheaper than Paris, making it a popular retirement choice and a desired residence for many families.

13. Lyon – Bright buildings and cluttered calendars

Situated in the Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon is home to the slogan ‘Only Lyon’; and upon just a quick visit to the city, you’ll quickly see that you don’t need to go anywhere else for anything you need! With a population of over half a million people and various theatres, museums, attractions and festivals, Lyon enjoys a hectic event calendar and a bustling way of life. It’s also considered the French capital of food, with over 2,000 restaurants and over 22 of them Michelin-starred.

Lyon’s climate is bright and sunny, and the colourful buildings make a bold statement amongst the blue skies. However, traffic can get extremely busy during peak times, so expats commuting into the city often choose to rely on public transportation—which is frequent and reliable (especially compared to what we’re used to in the UK!).

14. Strasbourg – Close to the continent

Strasbourg has a strong expat community, and with easy transport links to Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, it makes a great base from which to explore more of Europe. The cost of living in Strasbourg is moderate and extremely reasonable compared to many other large French cities.

Expats in Strasbourg do not need to speak fluent French before arrival, as the locals are friendly and always willing to help, with lots of language schools nearby. The pace of life is fairly slow, and the cuisine more German-influenced than stereotypical French. Families will find high-quality international schools in the city, as well as other expat children from a variety of European countries.

15. Dordogne – Countryside dream

It’s estimated that up to 10,000 British expats already reside in Dordogne, and with the picturesque rural surroundings forming something you’d expect to see on a postcard, it’s no surprise that it’s such a popular destination. A great place to live out your renovated farmhouse dreams, Dordogne is, for many, the dream home.

Five airports are within a two-hour drive for onward travel, and there are fantastic transport links when you consider how quiet and rural the area is just a few miles out of town. Dordogne is the perfect choice for those wanting to live the stereotypical French quiet countryside life. Fresh baguettes in the morning, wine overlooking rolling hills in the evening. Nowhere else can quite match up!

16. Brittany – Region of coastal choices

Pretty Brittany is well known for being a picturesque coastal destination, and several towns and cities within it are popular with British expats. Bretons have a rich Celtic history and maintain their own language alongside French and English, as well as a variety of cultural events throughout the year. The towns throughout Brittany offer pretty cottages, and the city’s more modern apartments.

Concarneau is a pretty fishing village, Dinard a little more lively, Saint-Brieuc is ideal for those who want to attend festivals and events, and Saint-Malo a perfect quiet coastal town. Property prices vary by area, but throughout Brittany expats can rely on a good quality of living, world-renowned healthcare facilities and plenty of friendly neighbours.

17. Normandy – Reminiscent region

The north-western district of Normandy is another popular choice with expats due to its vast outdoor spaces and is often considered to be reminiscent of the UK in the 1950s. A safe and friendly district, families are likely to enjoy life in Normandy; but the job scene isn’t the most active, so it would be advised to have a role secured before you move.

Dieppe is the oldest seaside town in France, and the region’s onward development has seen it adapt to offer just about every type of scenery you could imagine: large city centres, rural villages, wild forests, and rolling hills. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it in Normandy – and with easy transport connections back to the UK and a lower cost of living than much of the country, it’s no surprise that so many Brits take the leap here.

Are you looking to move your personal belongings to France?

As you have found out, there are many compelling reasons to move to France. Whether you’re captivated by the vibrant urban energy of Paris, the student-centric vibe of Toulouse, or the scenic beauty of Dordogne’s countryside, France has a location to suit every lifestyle and preference.

The choice of location will depend on your personal needs, be it professional opportunities, cultural experiences, or simply a peaceful place to enjoy your retirement.

If you’re planning to ship from the UK to France, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you have the right support. PSS International Removals is your trusted expert for shipping your items wherever you need them to go. We provide competitive pricing and exceptional door-to-door service.

To find out how we can assist you, visit our website and request a quote.