All the towns

Special Pluses

• Montpellier has the reputation for being an ‘undiscovered gem’ among French cities
• The University of Montpellier is one of the oldest in the world, founded in 1160

Special Pluses

• “Pezenas is a very old, typical village in a wine-growing region of Languedoc, France. The old part of town, which is most of it, winds up and down a gentle hill and is full of artisans shops, colorful shutters, beautiful Renaissance architecture (Moliére (sp?) lived here) and some of the friendliest people I have met in France. It is surrounded by other hilltop villages, each with their own flavor and uniqueness. There is even an association of “circular” hilltop villages! The sea is only 10 minutes away and the mountains, 15 minutes! You can walk through the vineyards to the next village in 20 minutes, wine-tasting on the way if you go in the right direction”  Anita on TripAdvisor
• “Pézenas is a small city of about 9,000 inhabitants, located between Béziers and Montpellier, 20 minutes from the Mediterranean Sea. The well-kept pedestrianized historic center, its vivid lifestyle and its picturesque streets make it a must-see in the Herault region.”(Besides The Obvious)

Special Pluses

Antibes’ Old Town and central city are compact and easily walkable. It feels like a small town, with its ramparts perched on the sea; but has the conveniences and amenities of a much larger city. There are great beaches at your feet, and it’s easy to take day trips by train to anywhere along the coast. Because of Port Vauban, there are many English living or visiting the area, and English is spoken at least a little in most places.

Special Pluses

• “The pace of life in Strasbourg is pretty laid-back the romantic architecture and canals really do a lot to contribute to the relaxed and pleasant city atmosphere.””Strasbourg has a huge community of expats! It’s an incredibly international city due to the fact that the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the University of Strasbourg draw people from all over the world” (Ashley Abroad)
• Cuisine is definitely bi-cultural: a mix of Germanic and French incluences;  specialties to try include tarte flambée, choucroute and the Riesling wines
• “It’s well-known that France has some of the best healthcare in the world. In fact, it’s one of the biggest pros of living in France. But the healthcare system in Alsace, the region where Strasbourg is located, is even better. There’s a unique social security system whereby residents of Alsace receive extra coverage compared to the rest of France.”
• “Strasbourg is a popular city and attracts a lot of expats, so you would expect the cost of living to be high. But this is not the case. In fact, Strasbourg is far from being one of the most expensive cities in France. Compared to Paris, the cost of living in Strasbourg is about 15% lower…To give you an idea, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Strasbourg is €700 per month, excluding the utilities. For gas, electricity, and internet, it’s roughly €175 per month.”
• Minimal Language Barrier
• One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe
• Less bad bureaucracy: “Luckily, the process in Strasbourg is much more efficient. I’ve been through two long-stay visa renewals, and, I can, honestly, say that it’s been a pleasure. The individuals working at the prefecture are helpful, kind, and patient. They are even, dare I say, efficient.”
• Superlative local public transport: “Strasbourg has a network of buses and trams that run throughout the city. There are even some trams to go all the way to Germany.They run every five to ten minutes and are almost always on time. Not only that but they are clean and comfortable with ample seating…Of course, you could walk, but a tram/bus ticket is only €1.90! It’s actually much easier to get around with public transportation than with a car. Public parking in Strasbourg is almost non-existent and expensive. (“Dabbling in Jet Lag”)

Special Pluses

• The attractiveness of Gaillac for retirees: The town’s picturesque setting, relaxed pace of life, affordable cost of living, and excellent healthcare facilities make it an appealing place for retirees to settle.
• Nice size….not huge, not tiny.
• The charm of this area is hard to describe but very powerful.  People who move here love it.

Special Pluses

• Beautiful lake just at the edge of townwith exstensive biking and walking paths including the “Circuit des Hortensias”
• A lovely cathedral
• A widely praised weekly market

Special Pluses

• “..cosy looking boutiques selling everything from artisan tea, to handmade hats, to high-end fashion. Surprisingly devoid of the standard souvenir shops you’ll find in any town close to the tourist route” (Le Long Weekend) 
• Just-far-enough from the nearest sizeable city (La Rochelle, Bordeaux),
• Green space: 20ha of protected prairie right in the heart of the town,  public gardens, a beautifully maintained gem in the town centre.
• “One of the best markets in France” (The Good Life France)
• Train station and convenient distances (day trip length) to nice other cities.
• Local hospital

Special Pluses

• Alan M. on FB: ” I’ve lived in the Pau area for most of my life since the 80s and have never regretted it. A well balanced mix of access to the sea and the mountains, a humane town, and if you miss the city, Toulouse and Bordeaux are easily accessible. Some criticize the « lack » of cultural activities in Pau. To me that’s a lazy view because there is an enormous amount going on, and the Parvis in Tarbes is among the best sources of new performing arts in France. I would say that the main negative aspect of Pau and area is the availability of housing. Over the last few years (following the famous article in Forbes saying Pau was amongst the best places in the world to retire to) there has been a big wave of new arrivals. So you won’t be the only one looking !”
• Angelique C. on FB: “Pau is the opposite to the south east on so many levels… People are friendly, respectful and calm here in general. And also when they drive (sometimes to calm to my liking!!)n Pau, you have nature at your door step…. Mountains and the ocean. Life is very much smoother here. Less stressful energy from just the everyday exchanges”
• Jane on FB: “So far, I appreciate the bus system as I have no car, and also how walkable everything is. As an older, single, retired woman I feel quite safe, certainly more safe than in the US. I love the trains…. always travel to and from Paris by train. And the weather suits me as well. And when it’s clear the mountains are so spectacular.”

Special Pluses

Chalon seems to find an excellent middle ground between some of the polarities that one is faced with in other towns.  It’s climate is fully four seasonal, but freezes are rare and snow even rare, while summer nights do cool things down.  It’s a good sized town without the extremes of either village or city life.  It’s public transport in the form of trains is good, if not spectacular and its international population is neither skimpy nor overwhelming.

One highlight worth special mentioned:  an international street artists festival, called Chalon dans la Rue (“Chalon in the street”) Over four days, artists from across Europe and beyond come to the streets of Chalon to perform, mostly for free, in music, theatre, acrobatics, comedy, etc.  (Wikipedia)