France is such a various nation that if you happen to’re pondering of shopping for a French house, selecting the very best location may be difficult. Abroad consumers have a tendency to concentrate on three zones: Paris for its tradition and romance, the south of France for its glamour, then ‘the remainder of France’. In actuality, English-speakers are inclined to gravitate in the direction of the identical French areas, for various causes.
The place’s the very best place to reside in France for expats?
“We work primarily with British and American consumers however we’re seeing a rising variety of Dutch and Belgian purchasers,” explains Phil Coley, founding father of the property web site For Sale in France, “and our analysis exhibits nearly all of consumers focus in a crescent formed space main from Normandy and Brittany within the north, down the Atlantic coast on the west and again throughout the south of France to the Italian border. You discover the British, Dutch and Belgiums on the entire are extra rural or rural cities and the Amercians extra within the bigger cities or the south of France.
“One of many enormous benefits of France is that you may go snowboarding within the Alps or the Pyrenees, head to the coast of the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and even the English Channel, and get misplaced in lush pastoral landscapes and huge vineyards. Whether or not you progress to a rural farm, an historic market city or a contemporary metropolis in France you may nonetheless be one hour’s drive from the ocean or the mountains.
“Some areas have a better focus of English-speakers, so that you must determine if that appeals to you or not. Many consumers envisage a purely French way of life however that may not be lifelike. You’ll usually discover your individual steadiness right here, when you study in regards to the tradition.”
Various cultural identities
“The place I’m from, within the UK, you hear distinct regional accents,” Phil observes, “however the French have patois, that are native and regional languages utilizing non-French phrases. Regional identities are very distinct by way of tradition, traditions and in addition structure.
“There are only a few locations in France the place homes all look the identical, even on a single housing property or lotissement. This is applicable to older French properties but additionally to modern, architect-designed houses. Moderately than having nationwide chains of property builders, homes in France are usually designed to particular person specs or inbuilt a mode typical of the area. That’s why once you drive by France, you often know the place you might be!”
Normandy and Brittany
Within the northwest, Normandy and Brittany each sit on the coast. The temperate local weather right here implies that they’ve delicate winters happening to eight°C (46°F) and comparatively delicate summers, too, with temperatures averaging 18°C (64°F). These areas produce a lot of the nation’s crops and have ample greenery due to the rainfall. Coastlines may be rugged though there are sandy seashores and clear waters, if somewhat chilly for swimming!
“Each areas are famed for authenticity and old-style appeal, which comes by of their property,” explains Phil. “You’ll see lots of conventional stone homes in Brittany and Normandy, constructed from native gray granite, whereas Normandy has conventional timbered buildings, too, and each have numerous rural farms, fishermen’s cottages, household houses in villages, and naturally cities with flats and trendy townhouses. The coast tends to be pricier, however Brittany and Normandy supply good worth for cash with quick access to the UK.”
From the Loire to Spain
Heading south from Brittany into the Loire, temperatures rise somewhat, and the native Tuffeau stone is sort of white, additionally used to construct royal residences such because the châteaux in Nantes or Saumur. Persevering with down the west coast into Nouvelle-Aquitaine you discover La Rochelle and Bordeaux, and stylish seaside resorts fashionable with Parisians and worldwide consumers searching for coastal magnificence with a laid-back way of life.
“On the west coast, you’ll discover the well-known French vineyards and more and more hotter temperatures,” says Phil. “This implies you’ll additionally get extra properties with swimming pools. The Basque nation has its personal distinct identification due to its proximity to Spain, and though costs alongside the west coast have risen over latest years, you may nonetheless discover homes which might be nice worth for cash on this a part of France.”
Inland: Dordogne and Limousin
Inland from the west coast, you discover Dordogne after which Limousin. The local weather is hotter right here, with summer time averages of 29°C (83°F) and winters dropping to 9°C (47°F).
“The British have been shifting right here for thirty or forty years,” explains Phil, “and sure villages are predominantly English-speaking, with full of life native teams. As for property, these are nonetheless a few of the least expensive areas in France, with all property varieties to select from and also you’ll discover a wide selection even for a price range of €50,000.”
The South of France
In an entire distinction to the local weather and conventional really feel of the northwest, the south coast of France consists of the dazzling Côte-d’Azur with its Hollywood glamour, main throughout to Monaco and Italy.
“The French Riviera – often known as the Côte-d’Azur – has all the time been extra fascinating and dearer than most different areas,” explains Phil. “It has turn out to be significantly fashionable with Individuals shifting to France lately. The south gives the Mediterranean, a incredible sunny local weather, outside residing and a classy really feel that appeals to virtually anybody trying to purchase a dream property in France.
“With the best price range, you could find beautiful seaside villas, penthouse flats overlooking the Med, quaint village homes and spacious household houses. A 30m² studio in Alpes-Maritimes prices a mean of €155,000 however within the hotspots, that simply rises to €500,000 or extra. Costs could also be excessive, particularly on the coast, however property tends to be a sound funding right here, as it’s in Paris.”
Paris
We are able to’t discuss the place to reside in France with out mentioning the town that everyone is aware of. “Your dream Parisian house is sort of assured to be an condominium,” observes Phil. “That’s as a result of 97% of Parisian properties are flats, starting from tiny studio flats within the eaves to luxurious dwellings with excessive ceilings and interval options. A 2025 research (https://cdn.paris.fr/paris/2025/05/07/best-cities-europes-best-cities-2025-Pu5y.pdf) discovered that Paris ranked second on the very best locations to reside in Europe (the highest was London), within the high three for procuring and tradition and high for landmarks and eating places. It’s greater than only a fairly place…
Which area would you select?
“For those who’re undecided about which area will swimsuit you greatest,” says Phil, “think about what you do and don’t about the place you reside now. Would you like to have the ability to stroll to the bakery or to a close-by restaurant? Will you miss the convenience of talking English? Would you like a pub or takeaways close by?
“After you have an thought of the place to reside in France, I’d advocate visiting and even renting for a month, ideally low season so that you see the truth! Take time to speak to the locals, study in regards to the space and take a look at out on a regular basis life. And if you happen to want any additional data, head to For Sale in France, the place you’re certain to search out loads of inspiration!”
