Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France. For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site weatherspark.com. Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.
Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France. For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site weatherspark.com. Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.
Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France. For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site weatherspark.com. Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.
Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France. For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site weatherspark.com. Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.
Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is, considering the whole of France. For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site weatherspark.com. Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.
Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France. For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site weatherspark.com. Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.
Looking at the climate of France as a whole, in order to give you a general notion of this town’s climate factors (sun,rain,heat, cold,wind, snow) we use three categories (most, mid, least) . So, the label above is telling you what this factor is (most, mid-range, least) considering the whole of France. For a much more in-depth understanding of the weather, go to the site weatherspark.com. Be sure to use the feature they offer to compare towns.
Rating is 1 – 4 (1 being most friendly)
AVF stands for Accueils des Villes Françaises (roughly translated ‘Home of French Cities’ From their website: The national network of Accueils des Villes Françaises “offers new residents and anyone looking for social connections friendly activities that allow them to discover their new environment and make new friends.”
They are particularly helpful as you meet newcomers, both French and English-speaking. Most branches provide a robust range of classes (including French) and activities, for an incredibly small annual membership fee (35 Euro?) Here’s their national website, which will connect you to the branch in the town you are looking at https://avf.asso.fr/
This category differs with each town. One town might have a large international industry (Bordeaux: aerospace) or govermental HQ (Strasbourg: EU) while others are simply perennial favorites for internationals (like Nice, or any nice spa town, like Jonzac or Bagnoles-de-l’Orne)
We feel that a large university is a marker of a town used to newcomers and at home with a range of cultures and ideas.
A town that attracts retirees is more likely to be safe, affordable,temperate in climate, offer good health care options and be welcoming
We use three categories: least, mid, or most expensive. For wonderful details and ability to compare costs of different French towns, see villedereve.fr
Data from the site villedureve.fr. Range from 0 to 100 with 100 the best
*More than 30 days, less than 90. Off-peak season, prices & features vetted for this kind of stay.
Small towns population: 15,00 – 7,500 Big towns population: 7,500 – 50,000 City: 50,000 – 250,000 Big City: 250,000 +
Small towns population: 15,00 – 7,500 Big towns population: 7,500 – 50,000 City: 50,000 – 250,000 Big City: 250,000 +
(On a scale of 1 – 5, 1 easiest)
(On a scale of 1 – 5, 1 easiest)
A robust train station is in or nearby this town
Aix probably has more pluses than we can name here. Its size and topography offer many of the pluses of a city, with the eminent walkability and conviviality of a town. The large population of students and retirees makes it both lively and mellow. Art is revered, as one might expect in Cezanne’s town. Lovely weather most of the year, and a tad less prey to the Mistral (Provence’s wicked wind) than some of its nearby neighbors. Excellent transportation throughout the city and quite good beyond. We especially like the electric-powered free micro-buses that allow most of the center of town to remain pedestrian zones (while providing a hop-on, hop-off option if your feet are sore.)
Aix is super popular. This means it can be crowded…nearly mobbed in tourist season. And it is, along with being a working town, a university town, and a retirement mecca, also a tourist town. Housing is at a premium. It is pretty awful for car owners; many zones are pedestrian only, and, if you can drive there, parking is virtually impossible in the center. Summers are HOT here….and getting hotter, and like much of Europe, the old buildings are not built for air conditioning.
Jenny Van Stone at Hexagon Home: " You should definitely see this place. I mean, take a gander at this patinaed extravagance! Ogle the abundance of arched doorways and aged terracotta tile; sigh at the rows of café chairs lining the boulevard; drool over these ridiculous tiny glazed fruit tarts! Imagine the tinkle of bells and the sing-song ‘Bonjour, Madame!’ that always follows, floating on the scent of yeast, or almonds, lavender, cheese—my god, the fromage! Wheels and wedges and buckets of glorious stinking cheeses, hallelujah!... Take that, world! I’ll show you! I’m moving to France, dammit. Bring on the cheese."
Wandertooth: "One thing I really love about Aix: it’s a very safe and friendly city. You can party all night long and go home alone as a woman, and you’ll be safe. There are always people in the street, the old town never sleeps!"
My Dreamy Provence: "The approach to the town never fails to stir. As you descend into the gentle valley in which this ancient regional capital lies, you sense that something special awaits, the sentinel presence of Mont St Victoire, which looms up over one edge of the town, providing a clue. I lived in Aix-en-Provence for a year; a dream come true for my family and I. It never disappointed! I’m passionate about France but Provence is where I know best and Aix encapsulates so much that I crave from the region in one truly magical town. Complete with a rich history and culture, Aix nestles in the heart of Provence surrounded by rolling, vine-clad countryside. With the Luberon to the north and the calangues of Marseille to the south, you are spoilt for choice. "
The Good Life France: "Of course, you can’t plan a visit to Aix without visiting the markets for which the town is justifiably famous. The large Aix-en-Provence market takes place on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings in the Place de Verdun. The flower market is every morning in the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. And, there’s a local producers’ market every morning in the Place Richelme. It gets very, very busy in Aix on Saturday morning with many roads pedestrianized and the old town practically closed off to traffic."
