Top Locations To Move To In France (Updated 2022)

France has traditionally been one of the most popular destinations among British expats, and the country is renowned for its cultural riches, beautiful landscapes, historical towns and cities and abundance of stunning beaches. While culturally different from the UK in many respects, France can be a perfect expat destination. If you’re moving to France, we’ve collected some of the most popular regions to help you choose the best area to move to.

Paris

One of the world’s most legendary cities, Paris offers an almost unparalleled variety of culture, architecture and gastronomy. Paris is one of the most popular expat cities in Europe and is home to the headquarters of some of the world’s major international corporations and organisations. Paris is one of the world’s leading business and cultural centres, and produces over 31% of France’s GDP. Employment opportunities and leisure options abound. The climate in Paris is pleasant, with a mild summer and relatively cold winter. Whether you are moving to Paris for professional or business reasons, or to enjoy the lifestyle in one of Europe’s most culturally varied cities, this city can be the perfect choice.

Brittany

Occupying a large peninsula in Western France, Brittany lies between the English Channel to the north and the Bay of Biscay to the south. It is a popular destination for French people, tourists and expats alike, and is characterised by seaside resorts, picturesque harbours and historic towns. The economy is centred around tourism and agriculture, but the technology, telecommunications, and commerce sectors are also strong. Notable cities include the historic Nantes, a culturally active city, described by Time magazine as the most liveable city in Europe, and a central city for innovation across a number of economic sectors, and Rennes, the capital of the region of Brittany.

Toulouse

Located in southwest France, Toulouse is hugely popular with expat families looking for an exciting lifestyle. It’s known as the pink city, thanks to the colour of the bricks and rooftops around the city which offer a picturesque vista, especially at sunset. Toulouse has some of the best schools in the country, including those offering public education as well as international schools. It also has a high standard of tertiary education, including one of the largest universities outside of Paris. As well as education, Toulouse also provides many cultural attractions, with a fine art museum, opera house, and historical buildings. It boasts a temperate climate, being close to the Mediterranean, with warm summers and comfortable winters.

Pau

Pau is the perfect French destination for those looking for a slower pace of life. Set in a rural location, the city of Pau offers beautiful architecture from an elevated position in the valley of the river Gave de Pau. It has one of the highest ratios of greenery per square meter per person of any city in Europe, which is why it’s sometimes known as the Garden city. It’s a university city, so has plenty to offer students and young people, such as shopping, eateries, and numerous outdoor and indoor sports.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is another popular destination in southwest France, this time for those looking to retire in France. The town offers the same sophisticated lifestyle as Paris, with boutique shops, café culture, and restaurants offering exquisite cuisine. However, it is seen to be much more affordable than the capital city and can also be more relaxed, which can make it more attractive to retirees. Bordeaux is famous for its wine, and the town sees many vineyards in the region. The climate in Bordeaux is mild but it’s close enough to the Pyrenees mountains if skiing and winter sports are your thing.

If you’re moving to France from the UK, Britannia Movers International offers a full range of professional and reliable removals and storage services. Contact us to find out more information or get a Quick Quote for an idea of the cost.