Which French departments are most popular with retirees?
Four in Occitanie have a high proportion of over-65s, as does Dordogne
Lot has the highest percentage of people aged 65 and over as residents (left Saint Cyr Lapopie in Lot)
Stephane Bidouze / pics five / Shutterstock
Lot, in the region of Occitanie, has the highest number of retirees in the country, with Dordogne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) not far behind, according to data from a new study.
The study from national statistics bureau INSEE (Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques) was released on April 8. It shows the proportion of inhabitants aged 65 and over in each department as of January 1, 2025).
The Lot department won out, with a total of 176,432 residents in that category. Overall (across all age groups), the department is the 11th most populous in Occitanie.
The region of Occitanie in general is well-represented in the top 15 of the list, with Gers coming in 9th place (a proportion of 29.5% aged 65 and over), Aveyron in 11th (28.7%), Aude in 14th (28.3%), Hautes-Pyrénées in 15th (28.3%).
Since 2005, the proportion of residents in Occitanie overall aged 65 and over has been rising steadily, having now reached 24% compared to 19% in 2005.
The report also found that life expectancy at birth is higher in Occitanie than the national average, at 85.7 for women (compared to 85.6 nationally), and 80.3 for men (compared to 80.0).
Read more: MAP: See how life expectancy rates vary across France
Read also: How do new French life expectancy stats compare with US and UK?
Read more: People in France living longer in good health - and for longer than in UK and US
The top 20 departments in France with the highest proportion of 65s and over:
1: Lot (32.8%)
2: Creuse (32.6%)
3: Nièvre (31.4%)
4: Dordogne (31.2%)
5: Cantal (30.2%)
6: Charente-Maritime (30.2%)
7: Indre (30.0%)
8: Corrèze (29.5%)
9: Gers (29.5%)
10: Allier (29.4%)
11: Aveyron (28.7%)
12: Orne (28.4%)
13: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (28.3%)
14: Aude (28.3%)
15: Hautes-Pyrénées (28.3%)
16: Hautes-Alpes (28.2%)
17: Lot-et-Garonne (28.1%)
18: Var (28.1%)
19: Côtes-d'Armor (28.0%)
20: Saône-et-Loire (28.0%)
Happiness in retirement
The statistics do not add any further information at this point, such as whether the older people living in these departments are happy where they live, or the quality of facilities or healthcare (etc) that they may have in their area.
In contrast, a study in January this year found that Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur (PACA) was the region in which the highest number of people (of all ages) said they were “completely happy” to be living there (48%).
Brittany was also a favourite, at 47%. Occitanie scored 41%.
Read more: Top 50 French towns for retirees revealed
Read more: Where are the best places to grow old in France?
Another study from July 2024 found that the best places to retire in France (based on attributes such as weather, access to good healthcare facilities, closeness to international airports, nature, and leisure activities) were:
The Côte d'Azur (for those on a higher budget)
Paris (for the benefits of city living)
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (for its closeness to nature, ski resorts, culture, and Italy)
Read more: How much money do you need for a ‘decent life’ in France?
The study did find Occitanie to be the best place to retire for those on a more mid-range budget.
Have you retired to France? Did you choose somewhere in Lot, or Occitanie? What attracted you to the place you chose? Any tips to pass on? Share your feedback with us via feedback@connexionfrance.com.
