Why Move To France?

France arguably offers the world’s most sought-after lifestyle. It’s the good life defined. The food, the wine, the art, the shopping, the history… This country boasts the most beautiful and romantic city on Earth plus the best of country living and dramatic Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. It’s a country steeped in culture, history, and that ineffable joie de vivre.

From Paris to the vine-covered countryside to the beaches on its multiple coastlines, the lifestyle options on offer here are many and varied, but all your choices mean old-world living at its best.

Foodies and wine lovers know that to live in France is to be at the center of the universe. Whether it’s paté de campagne and a rustic Beaujolais, grilled salmon with a rosé d’Anjou, or caviar and a fine champagne, the French are masters at pairing wine with food. After all, they’ve been doing this since the Middle Ages.

France’s long and fascinating history can be explored in every corner of the country. Dating back to the prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux, through the Roman and Frankish invasions, the royal house of the Bourbons, the reign of Napoleon, and up to the present, each era has left its mark—on cuisine, architecture, the arts, fashion, and so much more.

For the culturally minded, life in France is rich indeed. In Paris alone you can find over 130 museums, including the world-famous Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the National Museum of Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou. The number of galleries showcasing fresh, new works is truly astounding, and since the days of the Renaissance, French philosophers, authors, and playwrights have enriched all our lives.

On top of all this, France is home to the world’s best health care, the excellent infrastructure, top international schools, and, in some regions, zero crime and a wonderfully relaxed way of life…

And, in many parts of the country, the lifestyle is affordable.

So, after all that’s been said… why else should you choose France?

For starters, the World Health Organization (WHO) routinely awards France top honors, and it’s held title of “Best Healthcare System in the World” for over 20 years. Even life expectancy in France exceeds that in the United States.

The French lifestyle values leisure, with people typically getting five weeks of vacation per year—compared to the standard two in North America. It’s a cliché, but it’s hard to put it any other way: The French work to live, whereas Americans live to work. Here, business hours are much shorter, lunch hours still taken, and Sundays still held sacred.

Plus, France offers an enviable choice of diverse geography, which translate into a variety of climate types and lifestyle choices. From chic beachside towns to charming rural villages, from Alpine Mountain ranges to sophisticated urban centers, there’s a little bit of everything in France.

Aside from all the art, history, and culture available within her own borders, living in France you’re also in the heart of Europe, with easy, quick access to some of the world’s greatest artistic, archeological, and historical treasures.

Overall, France is a safe country, with a safety index that surpasses the United States.

Obtaining residency is a relatively simple and straightforward process with several options to suit different situations.

And state-of-the-art public transportation, including trains, metros, buses, and more, is available throughout France and beyond. The respective systems are easy to navigate, affordable, and fast.

The expat community in France is strong, and a huge proportion of it is English speaking. It’s an active and engaging community, eager to welcome newcomers, so no matter where you end up in France, make sure to plug into the local expat network—it will be invaluable.

From the romance of Paris to the rustic lifestyle of living in the French countryside, this country has a lot to offer the expat.