Retirements: these 10 French cities where retirees are sure to have happy days

Retirement can be an opportunity to move to a calmer and sunny place to live. But many other criteria must be taken into consideration to take the plunge.

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Portugal, Morocco… With their mild weather and tax advantages, many foreign countries attract future retired French, not only to spend holidays there but to settle down permanently. Does going away from your children make your heart turn upside down?

Don’t worry, there are around ten ideal cities in France in which to enjoy a peaceful retirement, according to a ranking drawn up by the real estate developer Nexity. A classification based on several criteria, starting with the cost of livingretirement often being synonymous with a drop in income compared to working life. However, the cost of living is not the same in the Paris region and in the Creuse…

Beware of the climate and accessibility of the city

THE climate should not be neglected either. Do you remember your grandmother who was crippled with rheumatism when rain threatened? “Sensitivity to temperature changes increases with age”recalls Nexity, so that “the Mediterranean climate of the South of France, the Atlantic air and the Rhône-Alpes region are very popular with seniors”.

A bit in the same vein, the presence ofhealth infrastructure is a decisive criterion for choosing one city rather than another. If, at the age of 30, it is possible to live in a medical desert a hundred kilometers from a better-equipped metropolis, this is hardly prudent at the age of almost 70. More broadly, the city where you choose to live should allow you to move easily between healthcare centers, stores and leisure activities. And be easily accessible by train to allow your children and grandchildren to visit you!

From Arcachon to Cannes, the best “spots” for retirement

Based on these criteria, here is a non-exhaustive list of 10 French cities perfect for a well-deserved retirement.

• Andernos-les-Bains : this commune in the South-West of France, located in the Gironde department, is “one of the best cities to live in retirement”estimates Nexity, highlighting its oyster port, its beaches, its natural spaces, as well as its cultural and historical heritage, with the prehistoric site of Bétey.
• Arcachon : also located in Gironde, not far from Andernos but undoubtedly less affordable in terms of real estate, Arcachon is a seaside resort where life is good for retirees. You just have to walk there, even in the middle of summer with hordes of tourists, to be convinced: little grannies walking their dogs in a cart are legion, as are the home service brands. Its network of cycle paths and public transport, as well as its TGV station three hours from Paris, are not the least of its assets.
• Valves : this beautiful Breton town, on the shores of the Gulf of Morbihan, shares with Arcachon the advantage of offering an important public transport network. To which is added an oceanic climate, characterized by mild winters and temperatures not too high in summer.
• Narbonne : crossed by the Robine canal and located in the heart of the Narbonnaise regional natural park in the Mediterranean, this city is the largest and most populated in Aude. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, it is full of natural sites.
• Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez : this Vendée town “has all the necessary infrastructure to accommodate seniors, both in terms of housing, transport and activities”promises Nexity. In terms of landscapes, it offers 13 kilometers of sandy and rocky coastlines.
• Challans : still in Vendée, near the ocean, “Challans has nothing to envy of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez”estimates the promoter. The community life is also rich and the sports facilities are of high quality.
• Cannes : if, in the collective imagination, there is a city that rhymes with retirement, it is Cannes! Known for its film festival, and benefiting from a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and dry summers, it is “a destination of choice for those wishing to spend a quiet retirement, far from big cities”confirms Nexity.
• Agde : like Cannes, the “black pearl of the Mediterranean” offers a pleasant climate. Located in the Hérault department, Agde is one of the main marinas in the Mediterranean and one of the leading tourist resorts in France, with many sports facilities and leisure activities.
• Limoges : more unexpected than Cannes in the ranking, this town in Haute-Vienne attracts retirees in search of greenery, with 50 square meters of green spaces per inhabitant. Spread over 78 km2, it is surrounded by a rural area preserved from any intensive cultivation and livestock farming.