The glittering capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department, Nice is one of the top destinations for tourists and expats in France. It was under Italian rule until 1860, so it offers a beautiful historic mix of the two countries. Attractions include the Promenade des Anglais, the Vieille Ville (Old Town), the flower market at Cours Saleya and St Nicholas Cathedral. There are also some fabulous art museums and galleries to visit, including the Masséna Musee which celebrates the art of the Riviera, and the annual Jazz festival should not be missed.
Expats rave about the ice cream, live music on every corner, low crime rates, and the drinking water, which is considered some of the purest and best in the world. Foodies won’t be disappointed by the gastronomy on offer; Salad Nicoise was named after the city, while other famous local dishes you can enjoy include the Pissaladière (onion tart), Socca (a type of pancake made from chickpea flour), and Fougasse bread (similar to focaccia). There are 1,800+ restaurants to choose from in Nice, including 6 with a Michelin star.
Who should move there? If you’re moving to Nice with children, there are 3 International Schools in the city or nearby, and loads of activities for them to enjoy. Retirees have dozens of English-speaking clubs and societies at their fingertips, including Yachting Societies, the Royal British Legion and International Women's Club of the Riviera, which organises regular events and activities. There are more than 15 hospitals/clinics in the vicinity, and plenty of co-working spaces and cafes with free wi-fi for remote workers.
Why buy a property in Nice? Nice gives you all the benefits of city life - fabulous food, culture and job opportunities, smack bang on the Mediterranean coastline. It’s perfect for investors as it’s the most popular destination in France for tourists and expats, and it’s great for families as there are lots of excellent schools in the area. There’s also plenty to do if you’re a retiree looking to settle in the French sunshine.
Nearest airport: Nice airport is a 15 min drive from the city centre.
Similar locations to Nice: Nearby towns and villages that are also popular include Cannes, Menton, Antibes and Grasse, the fragrant perfume capital of the world.
Check out our list of 11 best destinations to move to on the French Riviera for more incredible destinations to live on the Cote D’Azur.
The City of Light has it all, world-beating cuisine, iconic landmarks, captivating history, buzzing markets, perfectly manicured parks, and some of the best shopping on earth. Smaller than London, Madrid, and Rome, Paris is a walkable city that can be covered from one end to another in hours, and is made up of 20 fascinating arrondissements (districts), with a population of more than 2 million, nearly 20% of which are immigrants.
The Seine River flows through the centre of the city; the arty Left Bank is home to Sorbonne University, there’s upmarket St Germain and the touristy Latin Quarter, and on the Right Bank is where you’ll find the Louvre, the Champs Elysees, trendy shopping in the Marais, and the best of Paris nightlife in the Bastille District. In the north you’ll find the cool chic of Montmartre, and the Moulin Rouge, and the south is where you’ll find the Eiffel Tower.
Paris is a great place to invest in property, as prices have continued to rise steadily over the last 30 years, this is mainly because there’s a shortage of new construction in the city centre, as the area is unable to expand beyond the Périphérique ring road, and demand for historic property outstrips supply.
Who should move there? Paris is not a cheap destination, but if you can afford it, it’s one of the best places on earth for culture and history buffs. It’s also a great place for families to settle down, with 41 international schools to choose from.
Why buy a property in Paris? If you’re looking to experience one of the most culturally exciting cities in the world, look no further than Paris. There’s always something to do or see here.
Nearest airport: 45 min drive from Paris city centre to Charles de Gaulle international airport.
Similar locations to Paris: Other popular big cities to move to in France include foodie Lyon, energetic Strasbourg, and sunny Marseille.
The Occitanie region, which used to be known as Languedoc-Roussillon, has strong Spanish roots. The charming city of Perpignan offers a tantalising mix of French and Catalan culture, located on the coast, just 30 km from the Spanish border. The city was once known as the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, and residents identify themselves as Catalan.
Perpignan offers good transport links, an international airport with regular flights to and from UK, and a high speed train line between Perpignan and various cities along the coast, including Barcelona and Montpellier.
The city offers beaches on your doorstep, while you’re only 90 mins from the nearest ski resorts in the Pyrenees. Surrounded by vineyards and orchards, the lifestyle is laidback, with more than 500 restaurants to try, and plenty of narrow alleys in the old town lined with hidden gem boutiques and food shops to explore, plus palm shaded squares where you can sit and people watch for hours.
There are several hospitals and medical centres in Perpignan, and more than a dozen French schools to choose from, while the closest International School can be found in Narbonne, a 50 min drive away.
Nearest airport: Perpignan airport
Why buy a property in Perpignan? Perpignan offers the best of both worlds in more ways than one, French and Spanish culture, beaches and mountains, plus sunny days but cool breezes from the famous tramontane wind.
Who should move there? Anyone looking for Mediterranean living on a budget, anyone who can’t decide between living in France or Spain.
Similar locations to Perpignan: If Perpignan isn’t quite what you’re after, check out nearby historic Céret, the tourist hotspot of Collioure (featured frequently in TV travel programmes), the picturesque seaside town of Argeles-sur-Mer, or the smaller Mediterranean-facing city of Saint-Cyprien.
One of the largest and best preserved walled towns in the world, Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses centuries of history within its defensive ramparts, and looks beautiful from afar, particularly when its 52 towers are all lit up at night. There are enough drawbridges here to thrill a Disney princess. The city lies on the Canal du Midi, a beautiful 240km waterway running from Toulouse to the sea at Agde, and another of France’s best tourist attractions.
There are plenty of fine restaurants to choose from, plus ice cream and sweet shops and lovely boutiques dedicated to table linen, and toy stores selling wooden swords (kids love it!). Riffing on the castle theme, there’s a Museum of Torture, the nearest beach is only a 45 min drive away, historic vineyards surround the city, so your next wine tasting is never far away, while Lac de Cavayere is only 15 mins by car and is a great day out.
The events calendar in Carcassonne is impressive; the annual Carcassonne Festival takes place in July and is a huge event that attracts star names from the worlds of Rock, Pop and Classical music. On the 14th July there’s a spectacular firework event held in the old city, one of the most magnificent displays of fireworks you’ll ever see, and attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year.
Carcassone’s locals mainly live in the Ville Basse and surrounding suburbs and villages, with only a small handful living in La Cite itself. Being such a popular tourist attraction, the town centre does get exceptionally busy during the summer months, but at night, and other times of the year, you will have the cobbled streets practically to yourself. There’s a strong sense of community spirit, and expats have reported that the locals are incredibly welcoming to newcomers (as long as you at least attempt to speak French!).
Nearest airport: Carcassonne airport
Why buy a property in Carcassonne? Excellent location for a holiday home or gite business, as there’s always a steady throng of tourists throughout the year looking to experience the fairytale.
Who should move there? History buffs, entrepreneurs looking to start a tourism business, bargain hunters.
Similar locations to Carcassonne: The area around Carcassonne is very popular with expats, with towns and cities like Narbonne, Limoux, Lézignan-Corbières, Béziers, and Castelnaudary all proving popular with home buyers. The village of Trebes sits on the river banks of the Canal du Midi and is a beautiful spot for a meal and a glass of wine, with scenic views.
Morzine is a beguiling ski resort in the French Alps, in the Portes du Soleil ski area, close to the Switzerland border, that still retains its authentic French charm. Surrounded by freshwater lakes, glaciers, pristine rivers and lush mountains, it is truly a spectacular place to live, any time of year.
Morzine is perfect for energetic expats looking for an active lifestyle, the village offers excellent skiing in winter and hiking, biking and climbing activities in summer. There are more than 380km of marked trails to explore. Aquariaz is an indoor tropical themed water park, and there are lots of spas to while away your day in peaceful luxury.
Nightlife in Morzine is lively and has something for all tastes, whether you’re looking for sophisticated fine dining, or apres-ski nightclubs.
The village has a busy events schedule, the highlight of which is March’s Rock des Pistes where concerts take place live on the pistes. The weekly market, held every Wednesday, offers fresh Alpine produce and should not be missed.
Nearest airport: Geneva airport - 1 hour drive
Why buy a property in Morzine? You love skiing and/or have always dreamed of living amongst an alpine environment. If you’re looking for an active lifestyle with truly epic mountain and countryside views, Morzine may be the place for you.
Who should move there? Active types, families - the excellent Thonon International School is only 35 mins drive and is located on Lake Geneva.
Similar locations to Morzine: Other popular ski resorts in the Portes du Soleil area include Les Gets (12 mins down the road), and Avoriaz, voted France’s top family ski destination.
Golden stone buildings, festivals and gastronomy make medieval Sarlat-la-Caneda one of the most popular tourist towns in the Dordogne. It offers big city facilities, packaged in a charming small town setting, in the rural green heart of Dordogne, one of the most popular areas for expats to settle in France.
The town, which grew up around an old Benedictine Abbey, has a vibrant annual events calendar, including truffle and foie gras festivals in January, theatre festivals in the summer, and a film festival in November. And there’s not one but two weekly markets, offering up some of the best produce in France. So there is never a shortage of travellers looking for a room. The area is popular with expats, particularly Brits, who love the traditional limestone farmhouse properties on offer at a budget price. and possibly more than anywhere else, it offers the opportunity of making a living offering services to other foreigners.
At night, the streets are lit by gas light, providing an atmospheric backdrop to your evening meal, and there are over 140 delightful restaurants and bouchons to choose from, offering up local Perigordine specialties such as truffles, duck and foie gras, and wines from Bergerac and Monbazillac.
Nearby there are prehistoric caves and medieval hilltop castles to explore, as well as picturesque rivers and forested valleys to feast your eyes on.
Nearest airport: Brive or Bergerac
Why buy a property in Sarlat le Caneda? If you’re a foodie looking to experience some of France’s best culinary delights, Sarlat offers your stomach everything it could possibly want. Being popular with tourists, it’s also a great place to invest in a holiday home or other tourist business.
Who should move there? Foodies, wannabe truffle hunters, Retirees looking for a slower pace of life in a countryside setting (many expats compare the Dordogne region to England 25 yars a go).
Similar locations to Sarlat la Caneda: Riberac, Rocamodaour, Eymet, and picture perfect Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, nicknamed the Limousin Riviera.
La Rochelle is a bustling coastal town, and the capital of the Charente region, an area popular with French and foreign tourists. Charente is less high profile than the French Riviera, and easier to reach from the UK and Paris, populated with laid back fishing towns and picturesque rural villages, and bargain homes for as little as €200,000.
The historic port city of La Rochelle was once the main point for trade between France and Canada and the West Indies. The historic centre has been well preserved and there is a pretty harbour, surrounded by cafes and stalls, ancient covered arcades, narrow streets and historic twin towers that overlook the Atlantic, plus some fantastic shops and restaurants to explore. La Rochelle is linked by bridge to France’s largest off-shore islands, the Île de Ré, and Île d'Oléron, both adored by Parisian holidaymakers. The slow pace of life, year round mild climate and huge, practically empty beaches make this a fantastic place for a holiday home, or somewhere to settle more permanently.
Nearest airport: La Rochelle airport
Why buy a property in La Rochelle? It’s popular with tourists, so there will always be an opportunity to make some money by renting out a room or your entire home. Gorgeous beaches, seafood and low prices in the countryside near la Rochelle make it a winner for anyone looking for the good life on a budget.
Who should move there? Investors, retirees, seafood lovers, bargain hunters.
Similar locations to La Rochelle: Property in Charente is cheaper than the Dordogne, or Normandy but La Rochelle and the islands is not the cheapest, so if you’re looking for a bargain, try Fouras, a pretty seaside town overlooking Fort Boyard and an easy cycle ride from La Rochelle. Or Pointe Espagnole on the Cote Sauvage, with its stunning beaches backed by sand dunes, the area is one of the best kept secrets of the Charente Maritime. Or try heading inland for traditional Charentais farmhouses. If you want town living, Saint Jean d'Angely is a classic French town, as is Rochefort and Saintes, all three have everything you need to hand - town square, weekly market, shops, restaurants, and spas.
Dynamic and trendy university city in the heart of north west France, just 90 mins by high speed train from Paris. Rennes is made up of cobbled streets, half timbered houses, towers, museums (we love the Musée de Bretagne with works by Picasso and Gauguin), palaces and mansion houses. The Place des Lices hosts one of France’s largest street markets every Saturday, while the Marché des Lices is one of France’s most beautiful indoor markets. Head to Centre Colombier, a vast modern shopping centre for all your consumer needs.
There are plenty of green spaces in Rennes; the main park is the 18th century Parc du Thabor and it boasts formal gardens, an aviary and a bandstand that hosts events throughout the year. The art deco Saint-Georges swimming pool is a gem of a place to go swimming, and Park Gayeulles is a great place to take the kids, offering a playground, mini golf, picnic area and woodland to explore.
Foodies will love galette-saucisse, a buckwheat crepe wrapped around a sausage that’s the local Breton street food, and of course, Brittany is famous for its crepes. If you have a sweet tooth, you should also try parliaments, a sweet treat stuffed with apples and almonds that you’ll find in most bakeries across the city.
The city is easy to get around, with a super reliable metro system and bus network. You can also rent a bike for €1 a day. The TER train can get you to the coast in less than an hour, St Malo is a magical place for a seaside day trip.
There are 3 hospitals in Rennes, plus dozens of medical centres and doctor’s surgeries. There are also some great schools in the city, including Saint Vincent Providence, which has an international programme.
Nearest airport: Rennes has a small airport, although nearby Nantes airport is bigger.
Why buy a property in Rennes? Great location for Brits who don’t want to be too far from home, plenty of bargains to be had in the city and the surrounding Brittany countryside.
Who should move there? Families for the schools and university vibe, culture/city lovers looking for a quieter pace of life than Paris or Lyon.
Similar locations to Rennes: Dol de Bretagne is a gorgeous little town amongst the picturesque countryside of Brittany with a bustling main street and weekly market. Dinan, a Medieval town famous for its half timbered houses and 14th century castle, is a little closer to the coast and sits on the Rance river.
The port city of Bordeaux is the epitome of 18th century elegance and the world capital of wine. France’s second most visited city has much to offer including a fabulous food market - the Marche des Capucins - a state of the art Cité du Vin museum, quirky boutiques in the Medieval quarter, a magnificent riverfront to stroll along and over a dozen Michelin star restaurants.
Parts of the city, located on the Garonne River, are UNESCO world heritage listed, and it’s known for its white limestone, and of course its Annual Wine Festival. Outside the city, the most fabled wine regions in the world await your exploration, such as Saint-Emilion, Medoc and Sauternes, alongside some spectacular chateaus and rolling countryside.
Bordeaux is easy to get to, with an international airport and a high speed SNCF train from Paris that takes just 2 hours, and as London is only 2.5 hours from Paris, it’s only 5 hours by train from the UK.
Bordeaux is an upcoming green destination to watch in France, the city council has been busy trying to make the city more sustainable and environmentally-friendly. Check out our 9 best green destinations to live in France for more sustainable cities to call home.
Nearest airport: Bordeaux airport is a large, international airport.
Why buy a property in Bordeaux? There’s a thriving expat community. Three times a year, Bordeaux City Hall organises a reception for newcomers, and there are lots of english-speaking Facebook groups and forums to connect with, and clubs to join.
Who should move there? Wine enthusiasts, people looking to join a vibrant expat scene, families - Bordeaux International School is a bilingual school welcoming students from French and foreign families from the ages of 3-13.
Similar locations to Bordeaux: The charming cities of Bergerac and Eymet are great for families looking for international schools for the children with 2 such schools within easy reach, and are really popular with expats. The picturesque wine village of Saint-Émilion offers vineyards and some truly exceptional restaurants.
Albi is a compact city, built on the river Tarn. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site and is known for its fortress-like Cathedral that’s said to be the biggest brick building in the world. Next door to the cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace displays the biggest collection of artworks by world famous 19th century French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who was born in Albi. The city is unique in that most of the buildings are made from a red brick native to the area, which reminds visitors of Tuscany, hence its local nickname ‘la ville rouge.’
A pleasant southern climate and the friendly hospitality of locals, make Albi a popular place to live. There are boutique shops to visit, wine shops, art galleries, lots of restaurants, including gourmet options. Duck is popular in this area, as are the local speciality of almond pastries. There’s a branch of a famous chocolatier in the town centre that’s beloved by locals and tourists, a covered market, weekly flea market, plus book and craft markets. There are also some stunning green spaces to explore, including the Palace Gardens, the 13 hectare Pratgraussals leisure base, and the picturesque walk along the banks of the River Tarn.
Children will love the nearby water park, and there’s free bike hire in the town, to make getting around easy, cheap and sustainable. The nearby Gaillac Wine Festival every August is a must visit, as is the village of Cordes-sur-Ciel, once voted France’s most attractive village.
Nearest airport: Toulouse airport, a scenic 50 min drive
Why buy a property in Albi? Great base to explore the magical Occitanie region, popular with expats.
Who should move there? History buffs looking to experience a classic French town, couples and families looking to immerse themselves in local French life
Similar locations: Auvillar is another village that was once voted as one of France’s most beautiful, overlooking the Garonne River. Or check out the scenic countryside town of St Antonin Noble Val, which sits at the entrance to the gorges of Aveyron, and has a small but lively expat population.
Surrounded by the Alps, this beautiful lakeside town is an atmospheric mix of waterways, fine old Alpine buildings and beflowered bridges. There is fabulous food on offer, such as fondue, and tartiflette (a savoy dish made made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons and onions - yum!). Restaurants range from ritzy michelin stars to cosy farmhouses.
The old town is known as the Venice of the Alps and is rich in history and culture. It’s easy to while away the day here exploring boutique shops, picnicking next to the lake or hopping on a boat for a scenic lake cruise. There are lots of charming castles around the lake and beyond, some of which date back to the 11th century. And the lake itself offers up a plethora of watersports, including sailing, paddle boarding, fishing, and swimming.
The Fête de Lac is the biggest event of the year and commemorates the arrival of Napoleon III, with epic fireworks, music, lights and a water show. the folk festival Retour des Alpages, International Animation Festival and Venetian Carnival.
Annecy has impressive green credentials, with a greenway and bike paths stretching all around the lake. There are epic hikes on your doorstep with breathtaking mountain panoramas. It’s a fantastic area for nature lovers; the Haute Savoie region is full of nature reserves, gorges, rivers, and waterfalls all within easy reach, if you’re lucky you might spot deer, ibex, marmots, mountain hares, wildboar, buzzards, eagles, and bearded vultures.
Annecy is connected to Paris by high-speed train with a journey time of less than 4 hours, and you can reach Geneva in 90 mins. The town is served by 3 national freeways, the bus network is super efficient, as are the bateaux-navettes (boat shuttles) that carry passengers to small towns and villages along the lake such as Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz, Duingt, Doussard and Talloires.
The quality of healthcare is good, the Annecy Genevois Hospital Centre offers high technology care services, has almost 1,500 beds and is the 4th largest hospital in the Rhône-Alpes region.There are several good schools in the area, including École Internationale Bilingue en Haute-Savoie, a bilingual school aimed at 3-10 year olds.
Nearest airport: Lyon or Chambéry
Why buy a property in Annecy? You want to experience the Alpine lifestyle, you are not far from Geneva and exploring the rest of Europe.
Who should move there? Water sports enthusiasts, anyone looking to soak up incredible views every day, families with children of school age, social expats looking for lots of things to do - there are more than 250 societies to join, including the friends of the arts and clubs dedicated to skiing, bridge, squash, cycling, hiking, boating, and kayaking.
Similar locations: Aix-les-Bains is a pretty a thermal spa town on Lake Bourget, historic Alpine town Chambéry, or foodie Lyon with its tasty bouchons and UNESCO-listed old town.
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