Tips for choosing where to live in France

Life in France is undeniably appealing when considering the country as a whole – however, it is important to remember that each administrative region has a character shaped as much by geography and climate as by culture, tradition, and history.

Choosing where to buy requires careful thought, not only about these factors but also about how they affect the local housing market, property availability, transport links, and population spread, including the presence of expatriates.

Areas

France has 18 administrative regions: 13 make up mainland France (also known as L’Hexagone for its roughly six-sided shape), while the remaining five are overseas territories. Each region offers its own lifestyle, cost of living, and local amenities, so exploring them thoroughly before committing is essential.

Where Britons live and trends

Britons are one of the largest groups of non-French European nationals living in France, though only a small proportion reside in Paris. According to Insee, in 2021 there were 137,508 British nationals living in France, of whom just 6,650 were in Paris, representing under 5% of all Britons in the country.

The majority live elsewhere, with the highest numbers in Nouvelle-Aquitaine (38,814), followed by Occitanie (23,094), Île-de-France outside Paris (16,068), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (13,721), Brittany (11,104), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (10,075), Normandy (6,964), and Pays de la Loire (6,499). Smaller numbers live in Centre-Val de Loire (2,817), Hauts-de-France (2,719), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (2,368), and Corsica (563).

Nouvelle-Aquitaine alone accounts for over a quarter (28%) of all UK nationals in France, with Britons representing around 12% of the international community there, second only to the Portuguese. 

Occitanie is also popular, with 16.8% of Britons in France living there, representing about 6% of the region’s foreign residents. These figures show a clear preference among UK nationals for the west and south of France, where climate, lifestyle, and established expat networks are often cited as key attractions.

Communication and transport links

France has an extensive transport network, including road, rail, air, and water. High-speed trains (TGV – Train à Grande Vitesse) connect most major cities and regions efficiently. The road network includes tolled motorways (autoroutes) as well as national and departmental roads.

International travel is straightforward, with airports serving regional capitals and direct flights between France and major UK airports. Paris, as the main hub, offers easy onward connections across the country and internationally.

Budget and buying

Property market information is published annually by the Notaires de France, representing all notaires in the country. Notaires are public officers appointed by the Minister of Justice and play a central role in property transactions, authenticating documents and ensuring legal compliance.

Reports can be consulted in English on their website and provide guidance on typical property prices, trends, and what to expect for your budget in different regions.

When choosing a home, consider not only the cost of purchase but also local taxes, utilities, and the cost of living. Proximity to transport, schools, healthcare, and shops is also important, particularly if you plan to integrate long-term.