Best places to retire in Southern France

Retiring abroad is a goal for many in the 55 plus age bracket, and more and more Brits are taking the plunge and living the dream in France. Currently there are around 177,000 Brits living in France with the required residency permit.

So why Southern France? What’s the appeal for a British retiree? Putting the delicious food and wine** aside, people are attracted by the climate (which is often far warmer than the grey and rainy UK), a slower pace of life and the glorious landscape.

Whether you choose a coastal location or head further inland, this part of France offers beaches, beautiful countryside, vineyards and plush greenery. You can choose to mingle with the rich and famous in Cannes and St Tropez or head further inland to enjoy the quiet life in the idyllic countryside in the delightful Dordogne.

If the calm and quiet of Southern France hasn’t tugged at your heartstrings, then here are some other reasons you might consider France for your future:

1. Excellent healthcare system at affordable prices
France’s healthcare is ranked as one of the best in the world – which is reassuring as you enter your next life phase. The system is a combination of private and public care, which means you must make a small contribution to your medical treatments and need to pay for healthcare insurance.

2. Picture-perfect towns and villages
Whether you want to retire in a traditional French village surrounded by natural beauty or you’re seeking a more rural retirement, there’s plenty on offer throughout the country. And while property prices are on par with the UK, you can get more for your money across the Channel.

3. Double Taxation Agreement
Whilst tax isn’t the most exciting subject, it is unfortunately something to think about when you retire abroad. France and UK have a double taxation agreement, which means you can’t get taxed on your income (or pension) twice. So, if you apply for residency, you become a French tax resident and only pay tax on your income there. This isn’t the same in all countries where you may be taxed twice.

4. Strong Sense of Community
As a popular place to retire for expats, there are plenty of established communities of Brits and other nationalities for you to become a part of. Also, the proximity of France to the UK means that travel times are short and relatively easy at whatever age.

When you think of Southern France, you probably imagine the glitz and glamour of St Tropez, the famous film festival in Cannes and stunning scenes of lavender fields. Yet there’s so much more to discover.

To find your perfect retirement location in Southern France, we will focus on the following regions: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Walk into your very own work of art when you visit the region of Provence. This stunning part of Southeastern France is made up of six departments, all of which offer something special:

• Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Alpes de Haute Provence offers dramatic mountain scenery, medieval villages and lots of lavender!
• The French Riviera in Alpes-Maritimes provides golden sands, crystal clear water, beach bars, yachts and is loved by the rich and famous. From Cannes, to Nice, this area’s coastline is a perfect (yet pricey) place to set yourself up for retirement.
• Bouches-Du-Rhone is a department that covers many of the popular parts of Provence, from the beautiful city of Marseille to some of the prettiest traditional Provencal villages, like Aix-en-Provence.
• Var is where you’ll find beautiful beaches and the famous resort of St Tropez.
• For something completely different, Hautes-Alpes is a ski-lovers’ paradise. If you’re looking for somewhere to indulge in outdoor sports, then this is an ideal location.
• If fine wines and natural beauty are at the top of your to-do list, then Vaucluse has it all. Renowned for the medieval city of Avignon and stunning hilltop villages, the area is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understandably, due to its warm climate and gorgeous landscape, property prices in Provence are higher than other regions. It is an area that has been flooded with foreign investment over the years and the prices reflect its popularity. Average property prices for June 2024 per m2 are detailed below:

Love Provence? Find out more with our guide Areas to Invest in Provence.

From mountains to beaches, seaside resorts to traditional villages – there’s not much this southern French region doesn’t offer.

Divided into 13 departments, Occitanie is France’s second-largest region and is at the heart of Southern France. Toulouse and Montpellier are the largest cities in the region and its surrounding areas are famed for their busy ports, farming lands and diverse landscape.

Whilst Provence has always been the top choice for tourists and foreign investors, Occitanie has been steadily growing in popularity. It offers foreign retirees a taste of traditional French life and is extremely popular with British expats.

Perpignan, the capital of the Pyrenees-Orientales department, is just 31km from the Spanish border and is heavily influenced by Catalonian culture. It’s a great combination of clear blue seas and mountain views and has a culture distinct from the rest of France. The average price of a house in this city is €2,388 (or £2,022.50) per m2.

Occitanie is generally more affordable than Provence, with average prices for June 2024 detailed below:

From seaside resorts to mountainous views, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is in the southwest of France and divided into 12 departments. With the Atlantic Ocean lapping its shores, it’s cooler than neighbouring regions but still enjoys warm summers.

This large region spans Southern France and more inland or central areas of the country. Dordogne is renowned for the influx of British expats over the last few decades and the region is thought to have the largest population of Brits than anywhere else in France. Charente and Charente Maritime are also popular areas for Brit expats – many of whom are of retirement age.

Located in the Bay of Biscay, the coastal city of Biarritz in Pyrenees-Atlantiques is part of the Basque Country and is famous for its beaches and rich history. Other popular cities in the region include Bordeaux, famous for its wine production, the historical city of La Rochelle and Pau, which is just 85km from the Spanish border.

From rural farmhouses and large villas to smaller homes in village settings, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a great place to find your retirement property on a budget. Average prices are detailed below:

Fancy settling in Nouvelle-Aquitaine? Find out more about the region with our helpful guide Areas to Invest in Aquitaine.

Many expats, from all over the world, have found a forever home in Southern France and you could too. There are no restrictions on foreigners buying French properties and despite Brexit, you could still enjoy residency in France if you follow the right process.

We have property consultants based in and around Southern France who could help you find your dream retirement property and have helped many British retirees just like you.

Contact one of our iad Overseas property consultants to start your search.

** Alcohol abuse is dangerous. Drink in moderation.