Ten of the Best Places to Live in France For Expats

France has always been a popular destination for expats, with its beautiful scenery and easy going pace of life it attracts both young and old looking for a new life with improved living standards. Here are some of the more popular towns which attract expats from all over the world due to their low crime rate, low cost of living, enviable climate and high quality of life.

1) Toulouse in Haute - Garonne (Mid Pyrenees)

This beautiful city has often been voted the most attractive place to live in France, by both the French and ex-pats. Situated to the south of France, the city benefits from warm mediterranean summers and mild winters. The city is the fourth largest city in France with over 350,000 people living here from a diverse range of cultures and nationalities. The city has a strong Spanish influence with beautiful buildings and architecture scattered throughout the city. The city has some of the best schools in France and is home to one of the oldest University's in the world. See Toulouse expat blogs

2) Saint Gaudens in Haute - Garonne

This quaint market town was originally the capital city of the Haute - Garonne area until the larger city of Toulouse developed over the years and replaced it. However, for many this small town is the perfect place to live with all local amenities including shops, doctors, schools and banks nearby. The town dates back over 30,000 years and is steeped in history with stunning architecture throughout the town. Visitors can amble down pretty cobbled streets in a town very much unaltered by time. The town is situated in the Garonne River valley facing the Pyrenean Mountains, offering residents stunning scenery. The town offers ex-pats a safe place to live in a relaxing environment, which is very popular for families and retired ex-pats.

3) Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany

This vibrant city is a hub of culture, packed full of art galleries, museums and theatre's to entertain residents and visitors alike. The city is split into two parts, the old town and the new town which are separated by the beautiful Vilane River. The old city is steeped in history with stunning architecture dating back to before the 18th century. The city is popular with ex-pats both old and young and with a thriving economy, there are many job opportunities available in the area.

4) Val-d'Isere

Val-d'Isere is situated in the Savoie region of France. The southeastern town lies only 5 miles from Italy and is a very popular ski-resort, attracting ex-pats with it's stunning mountainous scenery and skiing activities available throughout the whole year on the Pissaillas Gacier. Although surrounded by beautiful mountains, the town has excellent transport links which allows residents easy access to Lyon and Geneva.

5) Aquitaine, Bordeaux

This beautiful town in Bordeaux is one of the most popular towns for young professional ex-pats in France. People living here enjoy a high quality of life with warm mediterranean temperatures during the summer months. The beautiful scenery and warm, friendly locals also make this pretty town an ideal place to live for many ex-pats. Families re-locating to this area will be pleased to know that the town has some of the best schools and education establishments in France.

6) Antibes-Juan les Pins, Cote D'Azur

Stunning scenery, warm summers and mild winters are major attractions for ex-pats living in this beautiful mediterranean town. Only 13kms from Nice airport, Antibes-Juan les Pins is popular among ex-pats who have retired and are looking for a better quality of life. The town has one of the most stunning stretches of coastline in France.

7) Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France with a diverse mix of nationalities. Located on the south East coast of France, the city boasts an enviable mediterranean climate with long hot summers and mild winters. An increase in tourism and various other industries over the last few years has seen more young professional ex-pats moving to Marseille. Ex-pats living here will always find something to do, with numerous museums, bars, restaurants and shops.

8) Limoges, Haute-Vienne

With it's thriving economy, the town of Limoges has recently become a very popular place to live for ex-pats from all over the world. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the town offers lower than average house prices and fairly reasonable living costs. A wide variety of art galleries, museums and medieval castles offer many interesting places to visit.

9) Nice

Nice is the fifth largest city in France, situated on the South East Coast of France. The city has a large Italian influence with a diverse mix of different nationalities living throughout the city. A large tourist industry offers ex-pats many job opportunities for those wishing to live and work in a warm climate. The city is a culture hub with stunning buildings, architecture and museums to visit. See Nice expat blogs

10) Lyon

The city of Lyon and surrounding areas attracts ex-pats from all over the world with it's growing economy which continues to develop with various industries offering plenty of job opportunities. Ex-pats living here enjoy warm long summer months which run from May until October and winters that are a lot milder than the harsh UK winters. The city is viewed as the food capital of France with many great restaurants for residents to dine out. The city is great to explore with stunning architecture, art galleries and numerous museums. Families moving to Lyon will find excellent schools and education establishments throughout the city and surrounding towns. See Lyon expat blogs

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