France has long been a popular retirement destination, with people drawn to its varied landscapes, laid-back lifestyle and outdoor living.
Some 30% of British people who move to France are retirees, and there are 1.2 million retired people in France who emigrated there, as of 2021, according to French statistics agency INSEE.
“France has long been a preferred option for British retirees - its warm climate, affordable properties and excellent health service make it very attractive,” says Matthew Barry, managing partner at estate agency Beaux Villages.
There is so much on offer for retirees whatever their interests – be it city nightlife and culture, tranquil landscapes and village life or adrenaline-packed (or quiet) mountain adventures.
But with so many options to choose from, where is the ideal place to retire to? We explore some of the options for those considering making the move to retire in France.
High budget
Côte d'Azur
This coastal stretch of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is famed for its glamour, attracting generations of rich and famous residents to the likes of Nice, Cannes and Antibes.
It is also a top potential destination for retirees, who are attracted by the best weather in France and a laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle.
The region is officially the sunniest in France, according to data from holiday site Holidu – and an impressive 23 of the 30 sunniest towns in France are located in the region.
When all the glitz (and tourists) of the coast become too much, the region also offers mountains and national parks within easy travelling distance, ideal for escaping those summer crowds or to make the most of winter sports.
Another big draw for retirees to the south of France are the frequent air connections from Nice’s international airport. And with plenty of Anglophone residents, there is no shortage of English-speaking doctors and good medical facilities.
The Var department, which encompasses much of the Côte d'Azur, including Saint-Tropez, has long been a favourite of retirees who are drawn to its pretty villages. The area is also at the heart of Provence’s wine-making region.
However, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is the most expensive when it comes to the cost of living, according to a 2023 BFMTV study. Your money will not stretch as far here for essentials like food and toiletries.
And property prices per square metre are well above the French average – €4,206 compared to the average of €3,064 as of July 2024 according to property site Se Loger.
Read more: When do French people really retire and what is the average pension?
Paris
The French capital is a dream destination for many, including retirees looking for all the benefits of city living.
“Paris is a capital on a human scale and offers many advantages. It has an incredible range of cultural activities, very practical and efficient transport services and easily accessible health services,” says Delphine Briere, of relocation specialists MyParisTouch, who has helped several retirees move to Paris.
Ms Briere also notes Paris is a great base from which to travel around France and further afield to the rest of Europe.
However, anyone considering the move needs to bear in mind Paris is among the most expensive areas in France.
“You do need to have a substantial financial income, as rents are fairly high and so is the standard of living,” Ms Briere says.
Read more: Tips to make the most of retiring to France
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
This region, bordering Switzerland and Italy, is a favourite with those drawn to an outdoor lifestyle that revolves around the mountains. Its culture spans everything from quaint Alpine villages to the buzzing bars of Lyon.
It is home to many of France’s best ski resorts, and attracts winter sport lovers and hikers who flock to towns including Chamonix, Val-d’Isère,and Les Arcs.
The region is also home to the winemaking region of the Rhone valley.
And Lyon, France’s third-largest city, is a culinary and cultural hub, which has excellent transport links to the rest of the country and beyond.
Property prices are slightly higher than the national average, €3,352 per square metre compared to €3,064. And the cost of living in Lyon is the third most expensive in France, according to a BFMTV study.
Read more: How can I get to the ski resorts in France?
Mid Budget
Occitanie
The sprawling Occitanie region in southern France includes the former regions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées, and is today France’s third-biggest region. It stretches from the Mediterranean coast in the east and borders the Pyrenees mountain range in the south.
Occitanie is the second most popular region with British retirees, and for good reason. The region is home to five of the 30 sunniest towns in France, according to a survey by holiday company Holidu.
The weather is the “number one” reason foreigners chose Occitanie, says American Deborah Bine, who moved from the US to the Occitanie village of Uzès over a decade ago. She says the “stunning summers” and mild winters make the region ideal for sun worshippers.
The region is also less expensive than the national average. For example, in the popular area of the Languedoc, in Occitanie, property prices are below the national average, at €2,738 per square metre compared to €3,064.
Read more: Top 50 French towns for retirees revealed
Occitanie also has the distinction of being home to the best place to retire in France. Rodez, in the region’s Aveyron department, topped a list of 449 towns comparing criteria including life expectancy, pollution levels and access to doctors. In fact, three of the top five best places on the list were in Occitanie.
Read more: Where are the best places to grow old in France?
The region is packed with historical and cultural interest, from the Roman amphitheatre in Nimes to the elegant cool of Montpellier.
“One reason we chose Carcassonne was because it has good local bus and train services as well as easy connections by train to the rest of Europe,” says Bill Richardson, who moved to south-west France from Georgia, in the US, in 2016.
He cites the local hospitals, markets and festivals, as well as the surrounding wine region, as big draws to the town.
He says potential retirees should think about transport and local amenities. “It’s great to see a wonderful country property that is very inexpensive but then you don’t have the amenities of the town or village.”
Brittany
The northern region of Brittany attracts many British retirees because of its proximity to the UK and the easy transport links back over the Channel.
There is a thriving British expat community in northern France and the region has also “captured the hearts of Americans yearning for idyllic countryside living” according to US blogger Deborah Bine.
The region is home to a rugged coastline ideal for watersports and outdoors enthusiasts.
Read more: Brittany is the region which has most newcomers in France
And this area of France is ideal for those looking to escape the big city and retire to a smaller town or village.
Northern France is popular with those who are less concerned with year-round sunshine – Brittany gets its fair share of rainfall.
Property is cheaper in Brittany than the national average – €2,691 compared to 3,064.
South West - Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Home to the most British people in France, the south-west has long been a draw to retirees from across the Channel. Over 39,000 live there as of 2016 (latest figures available), according to statistics agency INSEE.
Areas such as the rural Dordogne have long been a draw for British retirees, so you will be sure to find a strong community of like-minded foreign retirees in the region.
Limousin, in the interior of the region, is the least populated region of France, making it ideal for those seeking solitude and space. Its property prices are €1,330, well below the French average of €3,064.
Read more: How much money do you need for a ‘decent life’ in France?
Newcomers are also likely to receive a warm welcome.
“In areas like the Charente, there is a real affinity and genuine warmth felt by the locals towards people retiring from the UK as they appreciate the money they bring and their support for local shops and restaurants,” says Matthew Barry of Beaux Villages estate agency.
Low budget
Alsace
This region in eastern France borders Germany and Switzerland and has a distinct Germanic influence, from its architecture to cuisine.
It is home to a strong wine-making tradition and is the biggest beer-producing region in France.
It is the cheapest region for shopping, according to the BFMTV study. Property prices in Alsace are €2,330 per square metre, while neighbouring Lorraine is even more of a bargain, at €1,648.
And the region is also home to France’s oldest Christmas markets. The Strasbourg Christmas market dates back to 1570, making it one of the oldest in Europe, and is regularly voted among the best in the world.
Read more: Meet the French craft beer brewers taking wine drinkers by storm
Normandy
This northern region is popular with British retirees because of its excellent transport links back over the Channel. There are regular ferries between the UK and Caen, Cherbourg, and Le Havre.
The region’s rugged coastline is home to some of France’s most emblematic sites, including Mont-Saint-Michel and the beaches of the D-Day landings.
Property prices in Normandy are below the national average – between €2,053 per square metre in the north of the region and €2,279 in the south compared to €3,064 nationally, so there is scope to find a bargain.
Central France
Retirees could pick up more of a property bargain by heading inland and away from the often pricier coastal areas of France.
The central region of Bourgogne has an average property price per metre square of €1,579, far below the national average of €3,064.
Many retirees in the central region want a more rural lifestyle – its sparsely populated central departments afford plenty of space and low property prices.
Read more: Why are rural French houses so cheap?
The Loire Valley is home to some of France’s most impressive chateaux, so is a magnet for retirees hoping to live out their French chateau fantasy and find a place in need of repair.
It is also home to some of France’s most famed wine routes, so is ideal for wine lovers who want to explore the best that France has to offer.
Read more: Chateau life in France: 'Cold winters and hard work but no regrets'
Have you retired to France? What attracted you to the place you chose? Any tips to pass on? Share your feedback with us via feedback@connexionfrance.com
