Where should you live in France quiz

The initial questions:

Answer as honestly as you can

What is your weather tolerance?

• Mild + coastal + breezy: Brittany, parts of Normandy, Charente-Maritime

• Hotter summers + more sun: Provence, much of Occitanie, Gers

• Four seasons + cooler winters: Haute-Vienne, Dordogne (inland), much of central France

• “City climate” reality: Paris can be surprisingly hot in summer and grey in winter, but you’re trading weather for convenience

How much “English around you” do you actually need?

• Strong English-speaking presence: Dordogne, Charente-Maritime, Lot, Gers, Hérault, Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Île-de-France

• English present but not dominant: Haute-Vienne, Deux-Sèvres, Aude, Ariège, Vienne, Tarn

• Low English presence: Creuse, Cantal, Nièvre, Haute-Saône, Corrèze, Aveyron

How far do you want your distance-to-life?

(this matters more than people expect)

• 10–15 minutes to towns & services: Dordogne (around Périgueux, Bergerac), Charente, Vienne, Hérault, Gironde, Haute-Garonne

• 20–30 minutes: Lot, Gers, Tarn-et-Garonne, Aude, Haute-Vienne

• 35–45 minutes+: Creuse, Cantal, Ariège (mountain zones), Lozère, Haute-Loire

How regularly will you be wanting to travel, overseas and in country?

• Strong international access (airports + TGV): Île-de-France, Gironde, Rhône, Bouches-du-Rhône, Hérault, Alpes-Maritimes

• Regional airports + decent rail: Dordogne, Charente-Maritime, Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn, Deux-Sèvres

• Car-essential but limited public transport: Creuse, Cantal, Lozère, Aveyron, Ariège

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Let's look at some scenarios:

Which feels most like you?

Scenario A: “I want an easy landing: services, English, and connections”

Best fit: Paris (or close-in suburbs), major hubs like Bordeaux/Toulouse (and to a lesser extent Nantes, Lyon, Nice)

• Why it suits you: admin is easier, more English-speaking professionals, better healthcare access, great transport.

• Trade-offs: cost, smaller living space, busier pace.

• Good for: working professionals, families who want international schools, people who travel constantly.

Scenario B: “I want France… but I still want to be able to pop back to the UK easily”

Best fit: Normandy and parts of Brittany, plus Paris region if you want maximum connectivity

• Why it suits you: access to ports/Eurotunnel routes (depending where you are), plus airports and train options.

• Trade-offs: weather can be grey/windy; some areas feel quieter outside summer.

• Good for: second-home owners transitioning to full-time, people with family commitments in the UK, anyone who wants familiar “coastal + countryside” living.

Scenario C: “I want the classic English-speaking countryside dream”

Best fit: Dordogne, Charente-Maritime, and pockets of Gers

• Why it suits you: well-established expat communities, plenty of restored stone houses, active social groups, and a strong “move-to-France” ecosystem.

• Trade-offs: you may end up more in an English bubble; summer tourism can be intense in hotspots.

• Good for: retirees, lifestyle movers, people planning a gîte, anyone who wants community quickly.

Scenario D: “I want space, value, and quiet — but still with real towns nearby”

Best fit: Haute-Vienne (and similar “value belts” in central/western France)

• Why it suits you: bigger properties for the money, green landscapes, calm pace.

• Trade-offs: fewer direct transport options; you’ll drive more; fewer English services than Dordogne.

• Good for: remote workers who don’t travel weekly, renovation enthusiasts, people who want land/outbuildings.

Scenario E: “Sun, food, markets, and an outdoor life is non-negotiable”

Best fit: Provence and Occitanie (including parts of the south-west), plus coastal stretches where your budget allows

• Why it suits you: long outdoor seasons, big produce culture, strong regional identity, great variety (mountains/sea/countryside).

• Trade-offs: higher prices in “name” locations; summer heat; some areas feel seasonal.

• Good for: active retirees, people who want a lifestyle brand of France, anyone who’ll host visitors regularly.

Scenario F: “I want a ‘French’ life with fewer expats and more immersion”

Best fit: inland areas of Occitanie, parts of Haute-Vienne, quieter corners of Normandy/Brittany, and many under-the-radar towns outside the famous departments

• Why it suits you: more integration, often lower prices, more year-round local life.

• Trade-offs: you’ll need stronger French earlier; admin and trades can feel harder at first.

• Good for: confident movers, people who want community with locals, long-term settlers.

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A quick “where should I start looking?” shortlist:

Quick fire round!

If you want max practicality: Paris / big cities

If you want UK proximity + gentle transition: Normandy / Brittany

If you want community + classic countryside: Dordogne / Charente-Maritime

If you want value + space: Haute-Vienne

If you want sun + lifestyle punch: Provence / Occitanie / Gers