The 4 best cities to live in France

Choosing the right city to move to can be a difficult decision. Read our guide to know which of the best cities in France suits you best!

Yordan

7 minute read

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Updated on 27 Oct 2023

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Moving

If you're an international moving to France, then one of the most important decisions you'll have to make is which city to live in. Each city has its unique charm and opportunities, so it can be difficult to choose just one.

But don't worry – we're here to help. We've identified the 4 best cities to live in France considering things to do, cost of living, internationality and safety.

Here is our selection of the 4 best cities to live in France.

1. Paris
2. Nice
3. Lyon
4. Marseille

If you're thinking of moving to France, then Paris is undoubtedly the best city to live in as an international. Paris has consistently been ranking high on various quality of life indices thanks to factors such as its low crime rate, excellent healthcare and education system and high standard of living. In fact, Mercer's 2021 Quality of Living Survey ranked Paris as the 39th best city in the world to live in.

The French capital has something for everyone, whether you're looking for job opportunities, a lively nightlife scene, world-class museums and galleries, or enjoying delicious meals every day. Plus, no matter which beautiful Parisian neighbourhood you'll call home, you'll be well-connected to all the places of interest by public transport.

Internationality in Paris

Paris is an extremely international city, so you'll never feel out of place as an international. There’re plenty of foreigners living in Paris, and English is widely spoken. Although speaking French is recommended to get the most out of living in Paris, you can survive in Paris with English if you're mostly around other internationals.

Cost of living in Paris

Considering the worldwide popularity and high quality of life, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the cost of living in Paris is also high. But don’t be alarmed. If you’re working in Paris and earning the average salary, your income should be up to par with the average living expenses.

In Paris, without the rent, expect to have around €950 monthly expenses. The average rental price is high in Paris, so you’ll likely spend most of your salary on the rent.

As per HousingAnywhere’s Rent Index, here’s an overview of the average rental expenses you can expect when you explore rental homes in Paris:

Safety in Paris

As per the STC Safety Index, Paris ranks among the top 100 safest cities to live in worldwide.

But, it's always important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when going through unfamiliar areas. Apart from that, the tourist areas in Paris can be crowded, and pickpockets are known to operate there. If you’re carrying valuables, keep them close to your body and be vigilant of your surroundings. There's a large police presence in Paris, and you can always approach an officer if you feel unsafe.

Paris is the best city to live in France for:

• Internationals moving to France for the first time. As the most international city in the country, finding a community and an English-speaking job will be the easiest in Paris.

Nice is a beautiful city located on the French Riviera. It's popular with tourists for its lovely weather and stunning scenery. The city has a Mediterranean climate, offering warm and sunny weather all year round. This makes it the perfect place to live if you’re looking to escape the cold winters of northern Europe.

The city is full of great restaurants, bars and cafes and there’re plenty of art galleries and museums to visit. There's always something going on in Nice, so you'll never get bored.

Internationality in Nice

So, is Nice an international-friendly city? The answer is a resounding yes! In fact, there's a large and vibrant community of internationals living in Nice. You'll find both retirees and young internationals pick Nice for its gorgeous weather and quality of life.

So, whether you're looking for a relaxed retirement or an exciting new adventure, you'll be able to find it in Nice. And the best part is that you don't need to speak French to live here comfortably. Many people living here get by with just English.

Cost of living in Nice

The cost of living in Nice is very reasonable. Both rent and groceries are affordable, and there’re plenty of deals to be found if you know where to look.

Here’s what your monthly rental expense to look like when you searching homes for rent in Nice:

Apart from rent cost, expect to pay around €947 monthly for groceries, leisure, transport and etc.

Safety in Nice

Another great thing about Nice is that it's a very safe city. The crime rate is low, and you can feel comfortable walking around at night without having to worry about your safety.

Nice is the best city to live in France for:

• People wanting to work or retire at the French Riviera. Nice is an affordable and international city with plenty of things to do and beautiful weather all year round.

If you're considering making a move to Lyon as an international, you're in for a treat! This vibrant city is known for its excellent food and wine, picturesque architecture and friendly people.

There's plenty to keep you busy in Lyon, from exploring the many museums and art galleries to taking a walk along the scenic Rhône river. And, of course, you'll want to sample the local cuisine! Lyon is known for its hearty dishes like quenelles and coq au vin, as well as its world-famous cheeses and wines.

If you're moving to Lyon with a family, you'll be pleased to know that the city has a great selection of schools, both public and private. And Lyon is very well connected with excellent public transport links to the rest of France and beyond.

Internationality in Lyon

The international community in Lyon is much smaller compared to the other cities mentioned so far. Unlike the cities we've mentioned so far in this article. As a result, knowing French is recommended since not many locals speak English. But, the city is home to a several international organizations and companies, so there’re plenty of opportunities to get involved in the international community in Lyon.

Quality of life in Lyon

The quality of life in Lyon is generally considered to be very good. The city is relatively affordable and there’re plenty of things to do. But, one downside is that the weather can be quite unpredictable.

Cost of living in Lyon

Lyon is is relatively affordable. The cost of living in Lyon is 20% lower than that in Paris, but the city is still among the most expensive cities to live in France.

Here’s an indication of what you can expect your monthly rental expense in Lyon to look like:

Apart from rent cost, you’ll have about€900 monthly for your other living expenses.

Safety in Lyon

Overall, Lyon is a safe city to live in. But, there’re some areas of the city that can be dangerous. If you’re an international planning on moving to Lyon you should avoid living in the following districts:

• The 9th district, particularly the areas of Vaise, Vergoin, Montriboud and Gorge de Loup.
• The 8th arrondissement , particularly La Duchere.
• The 7th arrondissement, particularly the neighborhoods of Guillotière Gerland

Lyon is the best city to live in France for:

• Foodies looking for a city with a relaxed vibe and relatively affordable cost of living who know a bit of French.

From it’s rich history and beautiful architecture to its diverse culture and amazing food, there's plenty to love about Marseille.

The location of Marseille on the Mediterranean Sea makes it the perfect spot for a beach visit throughout the whole year. Marseille is the oldest city in France, and its culture is reflective of its long history. The city is full of buildings from different eras, immersing its residents in the heritage of the city.

The culture in Marseille is also reflected of its diverse population. The city is home to people from all over the world and this diversity is reflected in its food, music, and art. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Marseille.

Marseille has 2nd largest population in France and has more than enough thrills and spills to keep you entertained. But, the densely populated city comes hand in hand with heavily congested streets, so traffic jams are quite common.

Internationality in Marseille

Marseille as a diverse city that is friendly to internationals. This means that speaking French isn’t a must, but it's recommended, especially in the process of looking for rental accommodation.

Apart from that, there’re some English-speaking job opportunities, but not as many as in other cities like Paris or Lyon.

Cost of living in Marseille

When it comes to the cost of living in the city, Marseille is one of the most affordable places to live in France. Although it depends on your spending habits, the monthly cost of living in Marseille can be as low as €880 (excluding rent).

The biggest expense that you’ll have to cover is your rent. Here are the average monthly rental prices you can expect when you searching homes for rent in Marseille:

Some areas in Marseilles are best avoided since the safety there is quite low. But you shouldn’t have a hard time finding affordable accommodation near the city centre.

Safety in Marseille

Marseille has the 2nd highest crime rate in France. The crime is concentrated in some of the city’s arrondissements: the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and parts of the 3rd and 9th arrondissements. But, the rest of the city is considered safe and walking through these parts of the city is no less dangerous than in some of the other major cities in Europe.

Marseille is the best city to live in France for:

• French-speaking internationals moving to France on a budget, looking for a city with a warm climate, bustling atmosphere, and beautiful architecture.

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