All the towns

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

Beaune, in the heart, of Burgundy  is best known for its wine and food.  It has more seasons than other towns further south  — less extreme heat in the summers , but winters, while not severe,  are actual winter.  It is a handsome city and while popular as a tourist destination, not overrun. Not overrun with English speakers either, though it has a healthy Anglophone population and group.

• “One of the 10 most beautiful medieval villages in France, “

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

• Unbelievably good market (Wednesday and Saturdays)
• Unbelievably pretty; the central square is unforgettable
• While ‘discovered’ by many visitors and expats, it retains a very French charm

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

A nice size town, with the charms of Brittany but not the seaside, tourist ambiance.  Reasonable in size, cost of living and transportation

Special Pluses

“The Charente-Maritime is apparently the second sunniest place in France which was a big lure….Quiet roads, a wealth of wildlife, vineyards all around us. Fields of poppies in spring and sunflowers in summer. The air is clean and the weather is sunny and bright most of the year round. There are numerous hiking tracks and the Charente River is great for days out. There are loads of water activities or we can enjoy a gentle cruise on a water boat.” The Good Life France

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

Extraordinarily pretty town, with many canals.  Architecture is half-timbered houses, a distinctly Alsatian touch.  The city’s beauty is all the more remarkable given its history as a fierce battle of WWII, in which 80% of the buildings were said to have been damaged.  “Petite Venise” (Little Venice) was hard hit.  Enormous efforts to rebuild historical treasures throughout the city were taken and it shows.