All the towns

Special Pluses

• “not a large city by any means, we found the center to be charming and tranquil. Cassoulet restaurants cover the city, and the riverfront sets as a centerpiece with all sort of boats floating on their journey across this great canal.”(https://girlinflorence.com/)
• “it is a medium city and quite a few English expats and a good standard of living. Maybe you should visit if you’re looking for a place to settle in France that’s not too expensive.”(https://joinusinfrance.com/episode/castelnaudary-cassoulet-and-canal-du-midi/)
• “Its a region thats not too populated so kind of traditional in its values and cultures. For me, theres a feeling of isolation in the Aude, and in this isolation, there’s not the blemish of globalisation, hence old school. France before the sell out. Perhaps thanks to the wind or that there’s no big city in the area.” Stephen McCartney,
• “”Lovely town with everything you need.It’s more than just the cassoulet festival every year” Ian Black
• I know Castelnaudary very well. In my view, this city has its positives and negatives. On the positive side, it’s populated by modest and generally pleasant people, offering a human-scale environment with accessible locations on foot and by bicycle. The surroundings, including a lovely lake, scenic views of the Pyrénées and Montagne Noire, and an active community, contribute to its charm. A sunny climate, proximity to places like Toulouse and the Mediterranean, and ample parking are also pluses.Hugo Szpak

Special Pluses

• Superbly connected by public transport
• Charming medieval center….loads of great events throuhout the year
• All the modern stuff easily reachable via buses on the outskirts of the city.
• Nimes’ amazing Roman past
• BritsNimes…a wonderfully welcoming group of newcomers (not all Brits!) who speak English and are always happy to meet someone.

Special Pluses

• Tales from Brittany “I think Brittany is the most beautiful region in France. To me, it is sheer perfection. Here, one finds emerald green waters, sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, the GR34 hiking trail, charming Breton villages and bustling cities, magical forests and enchanting castles, delicious cuisine, and friendly people. There is literally something for everyone here.”
• Emily Derrick on Expatra: “Brittany is rugged, overwhelming, and incredibly charming. But it’s not ideal for fans of city life. Most of Brittany is overrun by small villages. Even the most prominent towns still feel like villages. But that doesn’t mean the area isn’t without its charms.”
• Solo Sophie: “Of course; no fishing town would be complete without a port and that of Paimpol is particularly well appointed. The port is around which the rest of the village is built and was once the lifeblood of Paimpol (historically residents of the town would have made their livelihoods thanks to fishing).The first quay at the port was built as early as 1762.”

Special Pluses

• Really lovely town with a substantial English-speaking town and a well-established social scene.
• About the St. Etienne collegiate church “Like a lighthouse in the middle of the vineyards, the collegiate church is visible from afar. Its enormous proportions intrigue the traveler… fine example of southern Gothic architecture
• From “The Good Life France” website: ” One of the best places to enjoy its full glory is in the medieval village of Capestang in the wine growing region of Saint-Chinian. Here you can stand on an ancient bridge arched over the canal, admiring a selection of sun drenched riverboats and lazy coypu and contemplating just what a marvel this Canal is.”
• From the website “That’ s Hamori”You drive up towards the town square, through little light colored row houses, along twisting and turning narrow streets towards the church steeple peeking above the rooftops. Once there, the church reveals ruin remains, with a story to discover, and stands on guard with strength in the square. Cafés with outdoor seating, people with baguettes under their arms scurry away; giving a sense of life here.”

Special Pluses

• “The vast greenery …….it has been crowned the greenest city in Europe(green capital of Europe in 2013) and it lives up to its name completely …..It has a lot of gardens to stroll around and enjoy nature at its best ….:)” Quora
• Lou Messugo: “It has a long history and complicated identity involving whether or not it is indeed part of Brittany, but that’s not what I want to write about.  I want to focus on the fabulous and absurdly original urban regeneration on the Île de Nantes (Nantes island) symbolized by a giant mechanical elephant. This area was once a thriving ship building district but when that industry fell into decline so did the island.  However, since 2002 it has been steadily revamped as a cutting edge creative neighbourhood mainly owing to the brilliant imaginations of two men, François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice. Delarozière and Orifice both come from performance backgrounds where they are actively involved in the renewal of street theatre.”
• GoNomad: 
  • Nantes may be a place many haven’t heard of, but like me, once you’ve discovered the endearing town, it’s an immediate fall-in-love experience.
  • Impressive revitalization has changed the city, as once dreary industrial suburbs have transformed into a picturesque and charming place to visit.

Special Pluses

The town developed and prospered as a health resort around its thermal spa waters and grand buildings such as the ‘Grand Hotel’ as well as the picturesque lake, gardens, riverside walks, cascades, and forest as well as many other attractions including good sports facilities. It is perhaps the fine examples of the “belle-epoque” (approx. 1884-1914) architecture that Bagnoles de l’Orne is best known for.

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