If you’ve ever found yourself drifting off and imagining what it would be like to live in France, this article is for you. There are many reasons why France makes a delightful place to call home, but here, we’ve tried to limit ourselves and pick just five.
1. The Art of Living ‘à la française’
Make the most of cafe culture..
Feeling a little too stressed out? Work demands pressing? Sun not shining enough? France places a great emphasis on the importance of having a good life-work balance. Lunchtime is something to be enjoyed: delicious food is to be savoured, rather than hastily eating a sandwich over your work laptop. The French lifestyle, or ‘la vie française’, is a captivating blend of leisure, pleasure, and a deep-seated appreciation for the finer things in life. Embodying the concept of ‘joie de vivre’, the French have perfected the art of living well. Be open-minded, relax into it and you might love it too.
2. Gastronomic Delights
France’s reputation for culinary excellence is well-deserved. From fresh produce at local markets to the most luxurious Michelin starred restaurants, there’s more than enough opportunity to indulge in high-quality food.
3. Endless things to do
You’ll never be bored in France. Whether you’re after the cultural feast of Paris with its choice of galleries and museums or you’re seeking a life of country walks in a picturesque village or even a chalet with hitting the slopes as your pastime, there’s a plethora of things to do. Plus, the transport connections are fantastic, so you can take a train to discover somewhere new and fall in love with France a little more any time.
4. A welcoming expat community
As keen as you may be to integrate with your local French community, there’s something comforting about knowing that you’re not the first to make the move. Brits have long gravitated towards France as the perfect place to purchase a second home or to move to full time. They will be able to help you to adjust. They can introduce you to your local mayor, give you references for tradespeople and lend a listening ear when you’re having trouble. That being said, it is a good idea to gain a strong grasp of French, as this will likely make settling in even more stress free.
5. A diverse and exciting property market
Fancy a Courchevel chalet?
You might be after a one-bedroom in the heart of Paris. Or a gorgeous traditional chalet in Courchevel. Perhaps, you’d like to have a go at renovating an old farmhouse that looks out to the Pyrenees. What is really wonderful about the French property market is how diverse it is and how easy it is to find a home, whatever your budget.
Convinced? Head to our property portal to see our homes for sale in France. You can filter by region, property type and price.
Plus, download our guide on buying French property.
If you are selling a property, you can register it for sale with us.
