13 Best Places to Live in France

France is a beautiful country, full of rich history, stunning art, and mouth-wateringly good food. Rolling vineyards and gorgeous sunsets are a big draw for movers – the only drawback is settling for only one location instead of multiple!

We’ll take a look at the best places to live in France for immigrants, families and more. Let’s start with an overview of the best places to live in France.

Sections

Best Places To Live In France

City	Reason
Toulouse	Best for work
Lille	Best for affordability
Rennes	Best for families
Paris	Best for immigrants
Bergerac	Best for retirement
Bordeaux	Best for young adults
Montpellier	Best for students
Lyon, Paris	Best for food and nightlife
Lille, Paris	Best for singles
Marseille	Best for the LGBT+ community
Saint Tropez	Best for weather
Saint-Jean-de-Luz	Best for beaches
Annecy	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In France for Work

France is a good country to work in – labour laws limit the hours to 35 a week and there is a big focus on work-life balance. Any of the major cities in France will offer opportunities for workers, but Toulouse tops the list when it comes to economic growth.

Toulouse is the capital of France’s southern Occitanie region and is the fourth largest city in France. Colloquially known as La Ville Rose (‘The Pink City’), due to the terracotta brick buildings, Toulouse offers high culture for its residents.

The main industries in Toulouse are aviation and aerospace, with the Aerospace Valley (a collection of aviation and aerospace companies) providing vast job opportunities in this sector. The city also has many schools and universities which also provide many job opportunities.

Nantes, located along the Loire River in the Upper Brittany region of western France, is another city that is good for those looking for work. An industrial port city, Nantes has a dynamic job market in traditional and innovative sectors.

Cheapest Places To Live In France

France can be expensive, so if you’re moving on a budget you should aim to avoid cities such as Paris or Lyon. The city of Lille is a good example of an affordable city that doesn’t skimp on culture or beauty.

Lille is the capital of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France and is near the Belgium border. Lille is a university city and cultural hub with obvious Flemish influence.

Renting and housing options in Lille are very affordable in comparison to some of the bigger cities, as is the cost of food and utility bills – making it the perfect spot for a mover on a budget.

Another affordable city in France is Montpellier, which also has good housing and rental options.

Best Places To Live In France for Families

Many of the cities in France are perfect for family living. When deciding where to relocate with your family you’ll want to take into account factors such as safety, affordability, access to medical care, schooling and access to amenities.

Rennes is the capital city of Brittany in the northwest of France. It’s a historic city with many museums and interesting historical sites.

Rennes is a perfect city for families as it’s a great blend of French culture and cuisine but without the expensive cost that would be associated with a bigger city like Paris.

Residents of Rennes are very happy with the quality of life provided by the city, and parents will find a multitude of activities including natural parks and outstanding restaurants to keep their children entertained.

Another great choice for families is Toulouse – the international schools are highly rated and the city is well-placed for trips to Italy and Spain.

Best Places To Live In France for Immigrants

Relocating to a new country, while exciting, can come with its challenges. Before moving to France it’s a good idea to have a grasp of the language and to keep in mind basic good manners and politeness.

For the most opportunities and to experience a truly authentic French experience, the country’s capital is the best. Paris is the largest city in France and home to culture, arts, fashion and business – it’s also the most English-speaking country in France.

Paris has the largest immigrant population in Paris, as well as international schooling and job opportunities. There is a good public transport network (Paris can suffer from high levels of traffic congestion) as well as many job opportunities due to the large economy.

The cost of living in Paris can be steep, and for those looking to move somewhere slightly more affordable while still retaining big city living then Rennes is another fab option.

Best Places To Live In France for Retirement

Retiring in France is a dream of many, with the beautiful town architecture and delectable cuisine drawing many expats over the last few decades.

Bergerac is a subprefecture of Dordogne in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwest France. It is the largest town in the area and is perfect for retirees.

The town has beautiful buildings, squares and streets to explore and the population in Dordogne has a large number of expats who have taken the opportunity to retire to this attractive department.

There is a lot of affordable housing in Bergerac as well as an airport and a whole host of cultural activities that are perfect for retirees to immerse themselves in.

The city of Bordeaux is another fantastic option for retirees, also in Dordogne. It has lots of fascinating museums, quaint streets and delightful cafes.

Best Places To Live In France for Young Adults

France is not short on cities and towns that are ideal locations for young adults. Bordeaux is a port city located on the Garonne River in southwestern France.

Bordeaux is home to a large number of young adults due to the hipster wine bars (Bordeaux’s wine is considered to be some of the best in the world), lively street markets and delicious food.

There is good shopping in the area with local and international shops and a fast transport system which gives easy access to other cities in the country.

There is no shortage of tourist attractions in Bordeaux and the city continues to draw people in all year round. Though there are some wetter seasons in Bordeaux, the area does not typically get very cold.

Another good city for young adults is the city of Lyon and Paris, though both do come with high costs of living.

Best Places To Live In France for Students

For students hoping to move to France, there is one city that stands out due to its wide range of education opportunities and a fantastic lifestyle. Montpellier is named again and again as one of the best cities to move to for students.

Montpellier is located in southern France and is very close to the Mediterranean Sea. It is a graceful city with stunning architecture and a host of museums, art exhibitions and botanical gardens.

Noted international and bilingual schools and universities in Montpellier are the International Eridan School, Ecole Privée Bilingue Internationale and the University of Montpellier. Almost half the citizens of Montpellier are below the age of thirty, making it the perfect place to meet new people and form new connections.

Lyon is another brilliant student city with a range of universities and schooling options, as well as a vibrant city centre and nightlife.

Best Places To Live In France for Food and Nightlife

Touted as the capital of French cuisine, Lyon has a range of ‘bouchons’ which are traditional, family-run restaurants that serve staples of Lyon such as Lyonnais saveloy (cooked cured sausage) and quenelle (dumplings with poultry or fish).

As well as bouchons there are also some very well-established and Michelin-star restaurants (Lyon has 20!) and huge food markets to spend your day wandering around.

When it comes to nightlife, you can’t go wrong with spending an evening in Paris. Dubbed the City of Lights, Paris is a beautiful city in the night with hundreds of clubs and bars including huge names such as Batofar and Le Montana.

Best Places To Live In France for Singles

France is a very romantic city and you’re sure to find options for singles in any of the major cities. Lille is a fantastic choice for single people as there is a thriving nightlife scene and over half the population of the city is not taken.

The dating app Meetic is very popular with current residents and there are a range of events and meet-ups for singles to find new connections.

Paris is also known as the City of Love for a reason and the huge range of nightlife in Paris allows singles to find love or make new connections.

There is a range of tourist attractions such as a cruise down the Seine River, a tour of Notre Dame, drinks in a unique speakeasy or the opportunity to discover a secret garden. These are perfect opportunities for singles to meet new people.

Best Places To Live In France for the LGBT+ Community

There are a few cities in France with an LGBT+ community and while Paris houses the largest queer community in France it is not the only option available.

Marseille is a multicultural port city in southern France that also has a distinct and fun LGBT+ community despite the lack of a ‘gay village’ that can be found in Paris and Nice.

Marseille’s LGBT+ scene is quite discreet in comparison to some larger European cities but you’ll still find dedicated shops, bars, saunas and clubs at the top of the Canebière and in the Cours Julien and La Plaine district.

Nice is another welcoming city for the LGBT+ community – Petit Marais Nice is a small gay neighbourhood that has a high concentration of gay bars, cafes and shops.

Best Places To Live In France for the Weather

Without a doubt, the warmest area in France is the French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur) which is located on the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France.

A tourist trap, the French Riviera is a fantastic choice for those hoping to soak up the French sun. There is a huge range of towns located along the French Riviera but none as well known or loved as Saint Tropez.

The weather frequently hits 30 degrees or more during the height of summer – July and August. The winters do have the potential to be unpredictable with sunny periods interspersed with dramatic storms.

Nîmes is a city in the Occitanie region of southern France which also has very warm weather from July to September. You can expect some wet weather during the winter and some of the coldest months at the beginning of the year.

Best Places To Live In France Near Beaches

France might strike up images of charming pastel buildings and quaint city cafes, but the country also has some truly stunning beach locations which, paired with the warm French sun is an ideal spot for relocators hoping for the lazy beach lifestyle.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is based in France’s Basque country. It is a fishing town at the mouth of the Nivelle River. Notable beaches in Saint-Jean-de-Luz are the Grande Plage and Plage d’Erromardie.

The town has a rich and interesting history and fantastic restaurants serving seafood delicacies and some of the best French wine on offer.

For more beach options, you can’t go wrong with the French Riviera and the dozens of coastal towns, such as Grasse and Eze, though do keep in mind that these luxury towns may be a little bit more expensive than other areas.

Best Places To Live In France Near Mountains

In the last couple of years, interest in the best places to live in the French Alps has skyrocketed. There is a range of picturesque mountain towns and villages that are located in the French Alps that are ideal for those who want to step out their front door and be greeted by mountains.

Annecy is a town located in southeastern France that is famous for its beautiful old town. It lies on the Swiss border and is nicknamed the ‘Pearl of the French Alps’.

Lac d’Annecy is one of the largest and cleanest lakes in all of Europe and is a key attraction for Annecy. The town also has lovely restaurants and breathtaking churches to mooch around.

Another lovely mountain town is Chamonix which is located at the bottom of the Mont Blanc Mountains; the town is popular with tourists during the summer months due to the range of tourist attractions available.