A guide to France

Accommodation

Depending on where you’re based, there are plenty of options. If you’re in a city, it’s likely that you’ll opt for an apartment, whereas the countryside boasts large and affordable houses.

It can be difficult to rent ahead of your arrival, as most agents and landlords prefer to meet prospective tenants first. Many properties are sparse with no appliances or white goods included, so factor that into your calculations.

To secure a rental property, you’ll likely need proof of income, and evidence that your monthly salary is at least three times the rent. You’ll usually have to pay at least a month’s rent as deposit. It’s important that you carry out a full inspection with the agent and owner, noting any damage or cosmetic marks. Utilities should be included, but you’ll need to sort out home insurance and there’s an annual tax for the occupiers.

While property prices may seem reasonable, you need to factor in the additional bureaucratic costs as the housing market is highly regulated. There are still bargains to be had in the French countryside, so it’s worth considering if you intend to settle for the long term.

There’s a large rental market and it’s very competitive.

In 2023, the average rent price across the country was between 14 EUR and 35 EUR per square metre. A one or two-bedroom apartment in a French city apart from Paris cost 850 EUR to 1,500 EUR per month. In Paris that goes up to around 1,300 EUR for a one-bedroom apartment and over 2,000 EUR for larger places.

Thinking about location, the capital Paris is a large multicultural city where most well-paid jobs are to be found. Lyon is known as the gastronomical capital of France, steeped in history and within reasonable distance of the Alps if skiing is your passion. Nice has the sea and beautiful scenery, so is a popular destination for tourists and retirees. Around the Dordogne and the southwest, you’ll find pretty villages with affordable houses surrounded by scenic countryside.

Nearby Toulouse is the fourth-largest city in France and benefits from having some of the best schools and museums if you’re moving with a family. The old port city of Marseille is a cosmopolitan melting pot, with influences from around Europe and Africa. Montpellier has grown rapidly in the last century, in part due to its thriving student population, and has become a popular place to live.

Famous for food and wine, Bordeaux has a lot to recommend in terms of culture, architecture and history. It attracts expats from the aeronautics, military and space sector, as it’s home to numerous international companies. Lille is the capital of the Hauts-de-France region and has a strong Flemish influence. With a direct link to London through the Eurostar and other excellent transport links, including an international airport, it’s easy to get around Europe.

Arts

France is renowned for its art and every town will have galleries and exhibitions that are open all year. The most famous are in Paris: The Louvre has a collection of art from the 18th century and earlier; Musée d'Orsay, situated in an old railway station, boasts an impressive range of paintings from Impressionism and Fauvism movement; while modern art is represented at the Musée National d'Art Moderne in the Centre Pompidou.

The world of literature has flourished in France from Victor Hugo, Emile Zola and Alexandre Dumas in the 19th century to the world’s most famous philosophers in the 20th century (such as Camus, Cocteau, Proust and Sartre).

French cinema similarly has a proud history. Indeed, the Lumière Brothers are credited with creating cinema in 1895 and the tradition has continued to the present day, most notably with the Cannes Film Festival each year.

Culture

France is a secular country and the freedoms established during the French Revolution of 1789 are still highly valued. The French are very proud of their history, language and culture, so learning something about those will stand you in good stead. They are known to be forthright and value etiquette, so it’s important to get to grips with greetings such as when to offer a handshake or bisous (kissing both cheeks).

Food

The quality of the cuisine on offer is a joy to behold. From the record number of Michelin-starred restaurants (29 in 2023) to the local patisseries and boulangeries, each region will boast delicious dishes for you to enjoy, each with its own local variations. Almost every restaurant will offer an affordable, and usually plentiful, plat du jour (dish of the day).

France produces the most wine by value in the world. The wine regions in France are some of the oldest and most celebrated in the world – particularly, Bordeaux, Bourgogne and Champagne.”

Health

The healthcare in France is among the best in the world, with a high doctor-to-patient ratio and a global leader in medical research. Hospitals are clean and modern, with short waiting times, and have some of the leading specialists in Europe, if not the world.

It’s a universal service providing sufficient care for everyone, irrespective of wealth, age or social status. This is funded by the government through social security contributions. 

However, by law, all residents must have some form of health insurance – state or private – but, if your household income falls below a certain threshold, you may be eligible for free health cover. Most expats have medical insurance, whether that comes as part of their job package or taken out independently. The average cost of health insurance in 2024 was 40 EUR (34 GBP or 44 USD) for one person per month.

Over-the-counter medications can only be sold in pharmacies, which are numerous and open late in the bigger towns and cities.

Medical emergencies are handled by SAMU (Service d'Aide Médicale d'Urgente), a public organisation that provides ambulances and other services.

Pets

You can bring most pets into France from other EU countries if they’re over three months old, are microchipped and have a rabies vaccination at least 21 days prior to travel. Dogs from high-risk rabies countries must also have a blood test on arrival and some ‘dangerous dogs’ are banned. If you have an EU-issued pet passport, this remains valid for travel. However, if you’re from outside the EU, you’ll need a health certificate signed by a vet from your home country.

Restricted items

Meat and milk products from non-EU countries are banned from import and anything made of ivory, tortoiseshell or coral. Otherwise, the list of prohibited items in France is fairly standard – guns, drugs, counterfeit goods, species-protected plants and animals.

Shipping

Shipping goods to France is relatively straightforward and hassle free due to its many ports, an extensive railway network and several international airports. You can import household goods and personal belongings duty free if they’re more than six months old. Air is the quickest way to get your personal effects into the country but can be expensive. It’s also worth checking what services are covered when you get quotes for importing, such as customs clearance, door-to-door delivery charges and unloading.

Transport

Transport in France is among the best in the world. The motorways are extensive and well maintained, in part due to the high tolls you pay. It could be worth getting a Telepeage that you put in your windscreen, which allows you to drive without the hassle of stopping then directly charges your debit card. Of course, if you have time to take in the scenery, you can avoid the tolls by planning your route in advance.

Parking in the larger cities can be difficult and expensive, but generally the space in France makes it easy and cheap or free in smaller towns and the countryside.

If you have an EU driving licence, it’s valid in France; but if you’re from outside the EU, you must have an international licence and convert it to a French licence within six months of arriving.

Public transport in France is also excellent. The train network connects all the main cities via the high-speed TGVs and extends into Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain, plus the Eurostar to England. You can buy a pass for a limited period if you intend to travel and explore the country and its neighbours. Buses, and trams in the bigger cities, are cheaper but slower and less comfortable. Air France offers both domestic and international flights, although being in Paris would probably only make that a practical option.