8. France

By Tuula Rampont

France is a dynamic, diverse country that offers retirement options for every taste and budget. If you’re a fan of fine European-living, look no further than this gourmet and cultural gem. From the flowing lavender fields of Provence to the charming cafés of Paris and the stunning scenery of the Brittany coast, opportunities for a rich, fulfilling retirement can be found throughout the country.

While France keeps pace with modern times, much of its attractiveness lies in the time-honored traditions practiced throughout the country. Long lunches with fine bottles of wine, or picnics among the local vineyards, are examples of the joie de vivre that comes with living in France. Life is never rushed, and great care is taken to ensure that each day is lived to the fullest.

You’ll find it at your local village café, where friends share a café au lait and a croissant before heading out to do their morning shopping. A visit to the farmers’ market is one of the most important stops of the day. Market stalls are piled high with the freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables—each beautifully displayed with the finest local products. No detail is overlooked. The cheesemaker (fromagerie) spreads out several goat cheeses prepared at a nearby farm, while the baker (boulanger) sets up a selection of freshly-baked fare—rustic baguettes, flaky pain au chocolats, and specialty bread like black-olive filled fougasse (a pretzel-like specialty from the south of France). Each artisan takes immense pride in their work, as they have done for generations. The wine merchant (cavist) can speak for hours on the importance of location (terroir) when it comes to grape-growing and will make sure you have the perfect wine pairing for your meal. The French passion for cuisine is infectious, and life in la belle France will provide you with access to its many gourmet pleasures.

Although it all may sound a tad sophisticated, enjoying the French lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. While retiring in one of the country’s larger cities (Paris or Lyon, for example) will be a costlier option, France is full of affordable regions. A couple can live comfortably for $2,083 to $2,483 a month—with some retirees living on less than $2,000. The real day-to-day savings comes from housing costs, where, in certain areas, you can find two-bedroom, one-bathroom homes for under $150,000.

While you can hit on these bargain prices in different pockets around the country, the most popular destinations (which combine attractive real estate deals with a high standard of living) include Normandy, Brittany, the Dordogne, and areas within Occitanie (formerly the Languedoc).

Healthcare costs are also a huge factor when considering a move to France. Frequently cited as one of the top healthcare systems in the world, residents enjoy high-quality care at cut-rate prices. After living here for three months in the country, expats are eligible for universal coverage. Under the French system, members are reimbursed 70% of doctor’s visits and up to 100% on prescription drugs. Given that a visit to the doctor is $29, out-of-pocket costs are around $9—a 70% discount. Prices are fixed by the government, so you’ll pay the same $9 to see a doctor in Paris, Nice, or Strasbourg. There are no age restrictions or pre-existing condition limitations, everyone is eligible for healthcare. While you’ll pay a small percentage of your annual income to join, passive income (pensions and social security benefits) is exempt from the charge due to a tax treaty with the U.S.

Besides its tempting lifestyle and impressive social system, France is a traveler’s paradise. Each region is more beautiful than the next, and with the country’s efficient, high-speed rail service, exploring the best of France is only a train ride away.

As one of the world’s most captivating cities, Paris may be a pricey retirement choice, but it makes for a wonderful travel stop. From world-class cuisine to classic bistros and head-turning fashions, the City of Lights is one of the top draws for considering a move to France. And, it’s all a lot closer than you may think. Aix-en-Provence, a popular retirement destination in the south of France, is less than four hours away by TGV (high-speed) train.

To the east, Alsace and Lorraine are refined regions that captivate with their cozy, flower-laden villages and half-timbered homes. A hop, skip, and a jump from the German border, the cuisine is hearty and the people gracious and welcoming.

History buffs will be drawn to the seafaring regions of Normandy and Brittany. Beyond a rich, cultural heritage, these maritime strongholds provide some of the most picturesque scenery in all of France. Beautiful seaside towns like St. Malo and Dieppe are delightful getaways and tempting retirement locals.

The sun-drenched regions of southern France have elevated easy-living to an art form. Splash out like a celebrity at lavish Côte d’Azur resort cities like Nice, St. Tropez, and Cannes or head to the “other” south of France—Provence and the Occitanie regions. Here you’ll find France at its most open and exuberant. Leaning heavily on Spanish influences, the university towns of Toulouse and Montpellier are full of the “fiesta” attitude. Life is meant to be lived out-of-doors, and you’ll discover residents soaking up the sun on café terraces around town—a chilled glass of rosé and a few spicy tapas make for the perfect southern happy hour.

Many other fascinating areas exist for travel or retirement. Bordeaux and Burgundy attract wine-lovers from near and far, while the Loire Valley and the Dordogne offer stunning castle-filled views and lush, romantic landscapes. In France, there’s no shortage of things to keep you busy and you’ll find an endless list of hobbies and activities to take part in—cooking lessons, arts and crafts, outdoor clubs, and volunteer opportunities, to name a few.

Whether retirees decide to settle along the beaches of the Mediterranean or take up residence in a charming hilltop village lost in the vineyards of Provence, France provides an idyllic retirement for those seeking the best of European living.