All the towns

Special Pluses

• Was once known as the Monaco of the North and still retains a kind of Belle Epoque glamour.  Hometown of Christian Dior
• “Granville is one of those places that compels you to engage with the sea” …”Beautiful, old buildings with stone, render and timber-frame façades, a medieval gateway, a lovely old church, and lofty views over the harbor and far out to sea”(Finding Our France blog)
• “The harbour has a marina for over a 1000 berths and there is a fleet of trawlers here. It is a popular place for shellfish the town has stalls and shops selling them everywhere.”A Taste of France

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

• 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

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

• Near to Switzerland and the Alps.   A culture that mixes the Alpine and Swiss with the French
• “A good idea to get to know people would be to sign up to The Association de Quartier du Centre Ville which is a Community Centre with all sorts of activities where you will meet people of all ages and backgrounds and where you could learn French if you don’t already speak it – you could even do a language exchange. Chambéry is a University town and there are lots of cinemas, bookshops, shops, and theatres. Also swimming pools, sports centres.” Miracle Maid

Special Pluses

• All about the sea…and boats.  Concarneau’s harbor is a bustling hub of activity, lined with colorful fishing boats and charming cafes. The harbor is particularly beautiful at sunset when the boats are illuminated by the setting sun.   Also, the seafood rocks.
• Concarneau’s old town is surrounded by a fortified wall, built in the 14th century. The wall is still largely intact and offers stunning views of the harbor and the city.
• Festival Interceltique de Lorient: A large international festival celebrating Celtic culture, featuring music, dance, sports, and cultural exhibits.
• In August the town holds the annual Fête des Filets Bleus (Festival of the blue nets). The festival, named after the traditional blue nets of Concarneau’s fishing fleet, is a celebration of Breton and pan-Celtic culture. Such festivals can occur throughout Brittany but the Filets Bleus is one of the oldest and largest,

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

• Abbaye de Fontenay: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a breathtaking example of Cistercian architecture, boasting its well-preserved Romanesque church, cloisters, and gardens.
• Friday weekly market in the covered hall and in the streets

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)