How to Decide Where to Live in France (Without Losing Your Mind…or Spending Too Much Time and Money to Find Out!)

If you’re dreaming about living in France, let me start with a little warning: If you move to France, you will never go back. Few do.

I’m not joking. It happened to me. I came for a year and never left. And I’ve watched it happen to hundreds—no, thousands—of times. What starts as a dream quickly becomes a lifestyle. And once you’ve experienced the beauty, the culture, the healthcare, the rhythm of daily life…it’s almost impossible to reverse course. It’s also near to impossible to look back and see your past life from the same perspective once France has opened your eyes.

But before you pack your bags, there’s one critical question:

Where should you live? And that’s where strategy comes in.

First, A Reality Check: France is not the United States with prettier buildings.

There is no Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and it’s different in every way: It has a completely different property renting or buying process. The laws are different. The language is different. The currency is different. The culture is different. Everything is different.

This is why the Adrian Leeds Group exists.

We work primarily for the renter or the buyer—“French Property the American Way.” We are a licensed real estate agency in France offering a whole host of services and can bridge the cultural divide, so you don’t fall into it.

WHY FRANCE IS SO HARD TO LEAVE

Once you’re here, you discover something extraordinary. Beauty everywhere—architecture, landscapes, style. Culture saturates daily life—culinary arts, music, theater, exhibitions. Diversity—from Brittany to the Riviera to the Alps. Don’t forget lifestyle—the famed “joie de vivre.” Security—healthcare and social systems that protect you. Education—accessible and high quality and usually free! Infrastructure—world-class trains, airports, communications and even the roads and highways are near to perfect.

Yes, some taxes are higher (income). Some are lower (property). But here’s the truth: you get way more for your money.

France has a broader middle class and a larger safety net. After 90 days of residency, you can access healthcare through PUMA, with reimbursements often up to 70% (and 100% on long-term illnesses). Healthcare costs are a fraction of U.S. prices (about one-tenth)—the World Health Organization has ranked France #1 in the world. That matters, especially if you are a senior like me.

THERE’S A LOT OF FRANCE TO LOVE — BUT WHICH ONE IS YOURS?

France is made up of 13 mainland regions (18 total including overseas territories and Corsica). Each one feels almost like a different country. I’ve made it a point to visit as much of France as possible. And it’s easy to fall in love with just about every town and village. But how do you chose?

We think we know the answers because we’ve “been there, done that” and helped thousands make these decisions. Consider the following key destinations:

Paris (Île-de-France)
Urban. Electric. Cultural capital of the world.
Higher cost of living (primarily property costs).
Nearly half of all Americans in France live here.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Nice & the Riviera)
Sun, sea, mountains, rosé.
Urban-suburban blend.
Moderate cost of living.
Over 2,500 Americans call it home (and that’s growing by leaps and bound every minute).

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Lyon)
France’s gastronomic capital.
Strong business environment.
Excellent transportation, but limited access to the rest of Europe.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Bordeaux)
Wine country sophistication.

Occitanie (Toulouse and the Mediterranean)
Sunny, dynamic, growing.

Americans gravitate toward metropolitan regions—not as much toward “La France Profonde” because community matters. Having other Americans nearby eases the transition while you’re mastering French (and yes, it takes time).

CLIMATE — IT’S NOT A DETAIL

You may think climate is secondary. It’s not.

France offers four major climates:

• Oceanic (Brittany): mild, humid, steady rainfall
• Continental (Strasbourg region): cold winters, warm summers
• Mediterranean (Nice and coast): mild winters, dry summers, dazzling light
• Mountain (Alps and Pyrénées): snow, altitude, dramatic contrasts

Where are you most comfortable? That answer affects your mood, your wardrobe, your social life—everything.

URBAN OR RURAL? THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT

Do you want to walk everywhere and let go of living in your car bubble? Or do you prefer to be in a small village? Or have land and complete quiet?

We warn you not to reproduce the life you have in North America in France. If you live outside a city, you’ll likely need a car. That means a French driving license (unless your U.S. state has a reciprocal agreement). These practical details are not romantic—but they are essential.

TRANSPORTATION — FRANCE IS SMALLER THAN YOU THINK

If you live near a major airport and a TGV hub, you’re set to go anywhere anytime.

Major international airports include:

• Paris CDG
• Paris Orly
• Nice Côte d’Azur
• Marseille

The TGV connects Paris to:

• London in just over 2 hours
• Lyon in 2 hours
• Bordeaux in 2 hours
• Lille in about an hour
• Marseille in 3 hours

Accessibility changes everything.

WHAT REALLY DETERMINES YOUR HAPPINESS

When deciding where to live, ask yourself: Is there a thriving American community? How important is international travel access? What climate suits me? Urban or rural? Cost of housing—rent or purchase? Access to immediate healthcare? Do I need to function in English initially? Are business opportunities or cultural activities more important?

The answers are what make or break a great place to live. There is no “best” place. There is only the place that fits you. But, there are a few spots in France that meet most of the criteria. We know what they are.

Here are my top six places to live in France—the ones we highlight again and again based on practical criteria like:

• Thriving American community
• International travel access
• TGV/friendly transportation
• The cost of living and housing
• Access to healthcare
• Language and cultural vibrancy

These are not aesthetic favorites—they are strategic places where Americans have real success living well in France. 

Paris — Île-de-France

The capital city has it all—jobs, culture, transport, hospitals, international community and endless activities. Yes, housing is expensive; yes, the weather isn’t always perfect—but for sheer opportunity and connectivity, Paris is the top choice. 

Nice — Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Climate (the best in France), sunshine, seaside living, an international airport at your doorstep, and a large American and expat community—this makes Nice one of my favorite places outside of Paris for long-term life in France. 

Aix-en-Provence — Provence

Close to the culture, climate and quality of life of the South, but with a more manageable and authentic French city size than Nice. Aix gets frequent mentions as an ideal place for lifestyle and community balance. It’s also 30 minutes away by public transport to the Marseille international airport. 

Villages in Provence

Not a single city, but a region—and we place high value on villages in Provence for people who want community with slower pace and authentic French country living. Context matters: this is especially recommended with a car and an understanding of rural reality. 

Lille — Hauts-de-France

Lille may not have Mediterranean sunshine, but it does offer strong transport links (TGV to Brussels, Paris, London and Amsterdam), a vibrant international student and expat community, and excellent healthcare and culture—hard to beat for northern France lifestyle. 

Strasbourg — Grand Est

Right on the Franco-German border, Strasbourg combines Germanic architectural charm, excellent transport links, world-class hospitals, vibrant culture, and strong international community resources. Very international, but cold in the winter, so be prepared.

WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON ACCORDING TO US

All six meet most of our strategic checklist:

✔️ American presence for social support
✔️ Easy access to international travel and high-speed trains
✔️ Local infrastructure, healthcare and hospitals
✔️ Practical language and cultural integration potential
✔️ Enough economic or cultural opportunity to sustain long-term life in France 

Climates differ—south vs north—but when practical life quality is the priority (over pure aesthetics), these are our top strategic picks. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

We’ve helped over 1,000 people make the move to France. A consultation with us is a strategy session designed to help you avoid costly mistakes and align your dreams with reality.

Our philosophy:

• Don’t let fear get in the way of making the move to France. There is nothing to fear…but fear itself
• Replace “expectations” with “hopes,” and you’ll never be disappointed

You can do this. It’s easier than you think—especially with guidance. If you’re serious about living in France, start with the right strategy. And remember…the biggest challenge isn’t whether you can live in France, it’s choosing which extraordinary corner of it will become home.

Let us help you make the decision before you go on a wild goose chase all over France! Get started by contacting us today!

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