The Top 10 Best Places to Live in France

Ready to Relocate

Kristin:    00:00:00    Have you been thinking about moving to a foreign country but you aren't sure where to start? Or maybe you've already started your planning process but you've gotten stuck and blocked along the way? If you're looking for support for an overseas move, then reach out to me at TravelingwithKristin.com/relocation. I can help you with everything from choosing a destination to finding your perfect housing, to setting up the right bank accounts and making sure that your arrival logistics go as planned. Enrollment is open now for my private group coaching program Ready to Relocate. That prepares you for an overseas move and as little as just a few months said, my clients Ron and Jenny, the main problem we were trying to solve when we enrolled and Ready to Relocate was where to go and get a location narrowed down, Ready to Relocate, gave us the steps we needed to do that, and my clients, Heidi and David who moved to France, who said, thanks to your guidance in a dose of hard work, we are enjoying retirement in Toulouse, France. It's the fourth largest city in France and full of lovely kind people. In today's podcast, you'll learn about the top 10 best places to live in France, and if you're thinking of moving to France or anywhere in the world, then feel free to reach out for support at TravelingwithKristin.com/relocation.  

Introduction: Welcome to Badass Digital Nomads, where we're pushing the boundaries of remote work and travel, all while staying grounded with a little bit of old school philosophy, self-development, and business advice from our guests.

Kristin:    00:01:43    Kristin here from Traveling with Kristin, you know a lot of people ask me where they should move around the world, and so in today's podcast I wanna share with you the 10 best places to live in France. Even if you're not thinking about moving to France, this podcast can give you a lot of ideas of places that you can go and visit to slow travel or go on vacation. If you think that another country like Italy, Greece or Spain could be for you, then don't worry as we'll have lots more podcasts like this to come. Quick note before we jump into the show today, Tuesday, May 7th is the last day to sign up for my group trip to Costa Rica happening this August. If you're interested in joining me and a small group of like-minded people for a relaxing long weekend in the Gulf of Papagayo, then check out the show notes for the link to reserve. This is the last day before the trip is officially confirmed, so if you've been thinking about going but you hadn't yet saved your spot, then now is the time. Pause this episode really quickly and jump to the show notes where you can save your place today. This will be my first ever guided group trip to Costa Rica and I'm looking forward to seeing you there. Without further ado, travel with me now to France.  

10 Best Places to Live in France

Besançon

Kristin:    00:03:02    Starting our journey, 200 miles east of Paris near the border of Switzerland lies the hidden gem of Besançon, which many people regard as one of the best kept secrets in France located near the Alps. Besançon has a population of 118,000 people. It's a city known for its close-knit community. Its museums of fine arts and archeology and beautiful surrounding landscapes. It's also a place for food, wine, and cheese enthusiasts, although let's face it, most of France is, but if you move there, make sure to try the traditional Comté cheese and the local yellow wine. More notably, you can save a lot of money living here compared to cities like Paris or Lyon. The cost of living in Besançon for one person can be around 1200 US dollars per month with a one bedroom or studio apartment going for as low as $370 to $470 per month, and that's probably gonna be unfurnished on a long term lease.  

Kristin:    00:04:08    You can buy a two bedroom apartment in this area for as low as 89,000 euro or a house in the countryside for 350,000. Besançon is for you if you want to live in a city that's not filled with tourists and if you wanna be close to the Alps and lots of nature. It's also for you if you're looking for a place to immerse yourself in the French culture. If you want to meet nice welcoming locals or if you like the idea of living in a university town, Besançon is not for you if you don't plan on learning French. As local foreigners have reported that it can be hard to integrate with the community and make friends without speaking the local language. This area also doesn't have the best weather in France. Winters can be cold, wet, and windy, and it's also not the best place if you plan to travel often or need to be close to an international airport. For that, you need to travel to Paris or Basel.  

Biarritz

Kristin:    00:05:14    Nestled in the heart of France's Basque country, Biarritz is a luxurious seaside town known for its laid back surf culture and pleasant year-round climate once the vacation spot of choice for royalty. The Biarritz of today offers a blend of relaxing beach life with the sophistication of the city. I've traveled a lot through France and I have to say that Biarritz has something that's very magical and special about it. If I had to describe this area in one word, it would definitely be idyllic. It feels like you're stepping into a fairytale. Everything is so beautiful, the coastline, the sunsets, the food is amazing and it's definitely a place that I could see myself returning to time and again or definitely living there. Neighborhoods to check out. Include the following, depending on what you're looking for from somewhere that is hip and up and coming, very walkable or more quiet and slow laid back.  

Kristin:    00:06:15    Pace of life in a residential or suburban area. If you have a hard time finding properties in the center of the Biarritz, don't be afraid to expand your search area to neighboring towns such as Anglet or Bayonne for added adventure. You can also visit nearby San Sebastian, one of the culinary capitals of Spain, which is just an hour's drive or bus ride away. Biarritz also has the honor of being the 13th, healthiest city in France with the highest density of doctors in the country. So if healthcare is a top priority for you, France is a wonderful option to live, of course, but take a closer look at Biarritz. This area is ideal for you if you seek a relaxed coastal lifestyle with an upscale twist. Whether you're a surfer, retiree or online professional, Biarritz is a place that appeals to everyone, but keep in mind that beards might not be the place for you if you're on a tight budget or if you don't plan on learning French. It's also not the best choice if you're looking for a fast paced lifestyle as it's known for its laid back, beach life and also for having a slow bureaucracy.  

World Nomads

Kristin:    00:07:36    World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance for travelers in more than 150 countries. It offers coverage for more than 200 different activities, plus emergency medical coverage, evacuation, lost luggage, trip delay, and cancellation, gear theft, and more. With World Nomads, you can choose between the standard and explorer plans covering different activities with different insurance benefits and coverage amounts. World Nomads has been protecting travelers since 2002. Its travel insurance was designed by travelers for Travelers and it's flexible. You can buy a plan before your trip or extend your coverage while on the road. As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using my link in the show notes. I do not represent World Nomads and although I am currently a customer of World Nomads, this is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.  

Alsace region, Strasbourg

Kristin:    00:08:43    Northeast of Lyon is the Alsace region, one of the best places to live in France due to its charming towns and villages, natural beauty and proximity to four international airports all less than two hours away. One of the most popular places to live here is undoubtedly Strasbourg, a picturesque town on the border with Germany where tourism is embraced and English is widely spoken. Strasbourg is famous for its gothic architecture, romantic canals, and laid back atmosphere. Living in Strasbourg can be quite affordable if you are a single person or a couple, but keep in mind that if you plan to be just passing through temporarily as a digital nomad, or if you're living there with your family, your cost of living could easily double. The average one bedroom apartment in the city is around seven to 800 euro per month, plus utilities. Although prices can be much higher for short term furnished rentals, overall properties can be difficult to find here as the city is also the official seat of the European Parliament.  

Kristin:    00:09:53    As you can imagine, increasing the demand for housing stress bore ranks high for safety, healthcare, happiness and equality. However, it doesn't have the best weather in France getting very cold in the winter and hot in the summer with high humidity year round. One very unique perk of living here however, is the unique healthcare benefit offered for residents of the Alsace where up to 90% of doctors visits are covered compared to 70% countrywide. Strasbourg is for you if you want to live in a small town community with a lot of expats and international residents where everyone seems to know each other. It could also be for you if you're interested in being in an area with some good comfort food and not just French culture, but also some added influences from Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg. And if you wanna be within striking distance to be able to travel to those other countries as well, this is probably not the place for you. However, if you want to be in a big city lifestyle, if you get bored easily or if you want to be near an international airport.

Bordeaux

Kristin:    00:11:14    If you are looking for somewhere to live where the wine flows like well, wine and the weather is mild, look no further than Bordeaux. Bordeaux is so culturally important that the entire urban area itself has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest in the world at nearly 3000 square acres from the 2000 year old Port of the Moon to the fabulous Palais de la Bourse and the Saint-André Cathedral. You'll never be far from one of the more than 350 historical sites or works of architecture if you live in Bordeaux. But beyond a visit, this city offers residents a high quality of life with a plethora of trendy restaurants and neighborhoods to enjoy. Just imagine doing your shopping or enjoying a coffee in croissant along Rue St. Catherine said to be the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, the posh Chartron neighborhood is one of the most sought after real estate markets in town where a one bedroom sells for upwards of 375,000 euro.  

Kristin:    00:12:24    Or you can rent a furnished one bedroom from 900 to 1500 euro per month. But despite some pricey property prices, the overall cost of living in Bordeaux is quite low, up to 47% lower than living in Paris. Living in Bordeaux could be for you if you're looking for a medium sized city with a moderate climate that still has a lot of culture, but without all the hustle and bustle of Paris or the Parisian prices while still being only a couple hours from Paris by train, it's also a great place to raise a family due to the high quality of education and schools there, and also could be an interesting spot for you if you wanna be within a short drive from wine country. It's really not that expensive. There's hotels here for $60 a night, you can get a baguette and some cheese and just go sit out here in a vineyard and just live people just live. This is what life is about. This is what it's all about. Bordeaux is probably not the best place for you. However, if you want to live a fast paced life in a big city or a coastal lifestyle at the beach, which is about an hour away, it's also not for you if you're looking to escape the crowds of tourists, which can be quite large in the summer.  

Lyon

Kristin:    00:13:54    In sixth place we have Lyon, which is the third largest city in France, nestled in the heart of the  Rhône Valley. Lyon is a smaller and more affordable alternative to living in Paris, which is still just two hours north by train. Lyon is a vibrant economic hub offering lots of job opportunities, especially in tech. It's also an important cultural hub of the country. Home to museums, operas, galleries, the University of Lyon and the Lumiere Theater, which is known for being the birthplace of cinema. The Lyone's way of life is a unique blend of old and new as it's an urban environment without sacrificing that small town vibe. Plus, it's also close to Italy, Switzerland, and the Alps. Lyon is for you if you're looking for a large and multicultural city with lots of things to do. It's also good for you if you are a foodie, as Lyon is considered the gastronomic capital of France.  

Kristin:    00:14:54    With more than 2000 Michelin star restaurants, the city scores very high on the nomad list rankings when it comes to things like quality of life, food, fun, safety, and walkability. It also ranks really highly for healthcare and also the availability of coworking spaces and places to work. It's also been ranked the number two city in the world for work-life balance. Lyon may not be for you, however, if you're on a tight budget as it's the second most expensive city to live in France after Paris. That being said, you can still find a one bedroom apartment there to rent from 500 to 900 euro per month with furnished options in a more luxurious area, going from 1400 to 1500 per month.  

Provence

Kristin:    00:15:49    If you envision yourself living in an idyllic place between the mountains and the sea, the Provence region of France could be for you. Whether you want to live in a provincial village such as Roussillon or the historical city of Avignon, the bustling coastal city of Marseille, perhaps you can probably find what you want in this region. The city of Nice, which is the capital of the French Riviera, is one of the top picks for places to live in this area. It's a place where you can feel like you're living on holiday year round and the temperatures rarely go outside the sixties to seventies degrees Fahrenheit. Nice is not cheap. However, with the average cost of living of over $1,700 per month, putting it in the top 26% of cities in the world, but living in Providence in general is probably for you if you want a Mediterranean lifestyle with some of the best year-round weather that France has to offer.  

Kristin:    00:16:50    It's also for you if you like the idea of shopping at outdoor markets and eating fresh local and artisanal foods as well as being able to explore the coastline by train. Provence is also an excellent destination if you're looking for a large international community with plenty of meetups and things to do from wine tasting to hiking and other activities. The tram, bus and train systems are also quite good in this region. If you want to explore other towns and villages or pop over into Monaco and Italy, nice and province are not for you. However, if you prefer cooler weather year round or if you're looking for a lot of local job opportunities as this can be difficult outside of the big cities like Nice and Marseille, it's also not the most low cost area of France with a monthly cost of living that's 20 to 30% higher than Lyon or Toulouse, but it's still more affordable than Paris. Housing prices can be high in this region, especially along the coast, but if you're flexible on your location, you can find furnished studio and one bedroom apartments on Airbnb throughout prove for as low as $700 per month depending on where you live. However, especially in the more rural areas, you may want to buy a car.  

Tortuga Backpack

Kristin:    00:18:21    Tortuga Backpack has a new 40 liter travel backpack called their travel backpack light that just came out this month. This is a lightweight carry-on bag that maxes out your carry-on space, even on budget and international airlines. It fits easily in the overhead bin. It's comfortable to carry and it packs just like a suitcase. You save $100 on this backpack compared to the Travel Backpack Pro and it's also one pound lighter. Check it out today using our link in the show notes and also their bundles where you can save even more on your travel gear.  

Toulouse

Kristin:    00:19:02    Located in southwestern France is Toulouse France's fourth largest city, which has been ranked as one of the top five best places to live in France by locals, especially for students and families with mild winters, warm summers, and a low cost of living. Toulouse has become a popular place for expats in recent years, also called the Pink City for its pinkish red brick buildings. Toulouse is famous for its beautiful canals, sunsets, history, and scenery. If you work in tech, you'll especially want to consider to lose as a place to live as it's been called the Silicon Valley of France, home to many startups and even aerospace companies. There's also an annual startup weekend there for entrepreneurs. Every year I went to Toulouse once to stay with a friend who's from there, and I found it to be a very dynamic but also laid back city full of friendly people and lots of things to do.  

Kristin:    00:20:06    Living in Toulouse could be for you if you're looking for a place with good weather and a big city atmosphere that is still close to the mountains and nature. It's also the eighth healthiest city in France with the lowest mortality rate from serious illnesses. So a really healthy lifestyle is possible there. It might not be for you, however, if you don't plan on learning French or if you want to be in a more central part of the country with more transportation options, if you think that to lose might be for you, then take a closer look at some of the towns and villages on the next screen for more ideas of places you can live throughout the area.  

Dordogne

Kristin:    00:20:55    A place filled with idyllic landscapes and historic chateau. The Dordogne region east of Bordeaux has been attracting foreigners and expats for decades. Home to some of the most beautiful villages in France. Living in the Dordogne is like stepping into a storybook. The area offers a tranquil lifestyle, steeped in history and culture. It's a paradise if you love the great outdoors with its abundant rivers and forests offering endless activities from canoeing to truffle hunting. It's also one of the safest parts of France with the lowest crime rate. One of the main benefits to living in the Dordogne, however, is the affordable property prices. You can get a three bedroom house in the countryside for 243,000 euro or even less if you're gonna buy a fixer upper. Or you can rent a furnished house in the area from 600 to 800 euro per month, which is around 650 to 850 US dollars.  

Kristin:    00:21:59    Despite the Dordogne's rural feel, it's very easily possible to get to nearby airports in places like Bergerac, Bordeaux, and Paris directly by public transport. Living in the Dordogn is perfect for you if you're seeking a peaceful escape and also a local community that values a slow pace of life. If you love high quality food, wine, and shopping at local markets, this is also a great place for you, especially if you're interested in art and history due to its high British expat and retiree population, the Dordogn is really one of the few places in France where you can get by without speaking French, but it's not for everyone, of course. So if you're looking for a really fast-paced city lifestyle or a coastal beach lifestyle, this wouldn't be the place for you. But if you're looking for somewhere nice and quiet in the middle of nature, picturesque French villages, take a closer look at the Dordogn.  

Montpellier

Kristin:    00:23:14    Montpellier is a dynamic and youthful city in the south of France thinks in large part to its large student population with three local universities. Montpellier has one of the youngest populations in France with more than half of residents under the age of 40. Its safety, quality of life, and good infrastructure and amenities have also made it the number one place for digital nomads to live in France. According to Nomad list, Montpellier is a good option for you if you're looking for somewhere slightly smaller than cities like Nice and Marseille, but with similar weather. This city strikes a perfect balance between historic and contemporary with medieval streets leading to modern tramways and bustling squares known for its sunny Mediterranean climate. Montpellier  is a short distance from the coast while being surrounded by vineyards and the classic French countryside. It's an ideal location for people who seek the cultural offerings of a city along with easy access to nature.  

Kristin:    00:24:24    Montpellier  is also good for you if you're looking for local job opportunities. So if you have a work permit in France, you've got a lot of industries there from food and pharmaceuticals to electronics tech and transportation. But this city is not for you if you want to avoid tourist season and crowds, and despite the large population, it can be difficult to make friends there as few people speak English. It's also on the pricier side when it comes to cost of living in France. You can find an unfurnished two bedroom apartment in Montpellier for as low as 634 euro per month, or a short term furnished Airbnb for 1400 to 1700 per month.  

Rennes

Kristin:    00:25:19    First place on our list is Rennes, which was voted the happiest place to live in France by French people in a nationwide survey. So you've got locals vouching for it, as well as foreigners as an expat newspaper called the local. France has also ranked it as the best place for foreigners to live in France in a survey for its amenities, cheap housing and small city feel. It was also ranked as the most livable city in the region and is among the top 3% of cities to live in the world. Rennes is located in the Britannia or Brittany region of Northern France, which is known for having one of the best climates in the country, although it can still get a bit cold in the winter, and even though it can get cold in winter, temperatures rarely drop below freezing there. Now, summers are also mild with average temperatures between 57 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Kristin:    00:26:20    That's in the peak of summer, and luckily sunny days are possible year round, which is not always the case for France. Rennes is also really well connected to other major cities in France with multiple trains to Paris daily, and it's also a great place to immerse yourself in nature with its rugged coastline, ancient forests, and diverse landscapes. So this region will appeal to you if you're looking for that rugged nature, but also if you're seeking a strong sense of community, as many expats like to call this area home. So if you want a close connection to nature or a big group of friends, consider Rennes. Now, this lifestyle in Brittany in general is closely tied to the sea with its many picturesque fishing villages and also popularity of water sports such as sailing. So if you wanna be on the coastline, this could also be for you. Rennes and Brittany are perfect for families, students, retirees, or anyone who's looking to immerse themselves in a culturally unique part of France and also feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of normal city life. On the downside, however, the language barrier can be an issue here if you don't speak French, and it's also not the best location if you wanna be near an international airport. But if you move to Brittany or Rennes in particular, you'll surely agree with French citizens that it's a great place to be.  

Kristin:    00:28:05    I hope that this podcast about France gave you a lot of ideas about places that you could possibly travel or live someday. Even though I've been to France at least five times, I learned so much when researching for this podcast, and I'm happy to share my findings with you. Remember that today is the last day. If you'd like to sign up to join me in Costa Rica this summer and also check out Tortuga's new light backpack that packs like a suitcase and looks really cool, as well as World Nomads for your upcoming travel medical insurance needs. You can find the links to everything in the show notes. Make sure to share this episode with someone else who's interested in going to France, and I look forward to seeing you again next week.