The Île-de-France region (Paris area) generally scores highest for English proficiency, with Paris itself being a strong hub, but other areas with significant English speakers and high proficiency include Grenoble, Lyon, Nantes, and the Pays de la Loire and Brittany regions, often due to tourism, international business, and student populations. Rural areas with large British expat communities, like parts of Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Dordogne, Charente) and the Côte d'Azur, also have many English speakers.
Grenoble, which is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, has the highest English proficiency score of any city in France. Unsurprisingly, Paris comes in second, followed by Brest (Bretagne), Lille (Hauts-de-France), and Aix-en-Provence (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur).
Population size
The main destinations of British migration to France apart from Paris are rural areas of France and the southern areas of the country. The major regions chosen by this community are Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Brittany and Corsica.
Little England in the Seven Valleys, Pas-de-Calais. Deep in the heart of rural France, in the Seven Valleys area of Pas-de-Calais in the north is a sizeable community of English speaking expats. This part of France is very popular with British, Dutch and Belgian holidaymakers, second-homers and émigrés.
Where to live in France: the best places for expats
Yes, you can survive in France without speaking French, but with small efforts, you can thrive. The idea is for you to integrate and be part of your new surroundings. Start integrating today by embracing daily immersion, setting small language challenges, and getting professional guidance.
Apparently, in France, there is this tradition that you are allowed to have an affair between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The rules are straightforward: If your mistress wants to meet for a later dinner at 8 p.m.,well, too bad.
Its own mayor described has Nice as “the most British” city in France, but in truth the whole world flocks to one of France's most liveable cities.
While Brittany may have kept the flames of its Celtic traditions alive, Normandy's vast lands are full of contemporary trailblazers: artists, artisans and farmers who are creating a rich and modern culture. The fruits of their labor are one-of-a-kind delights.
Its landscape is incredibly varied, featuring everything from lush green valleys to stretches of limestone plateaux. With its warm climate year-round and a laid-back pace of life, it's easy to see why the Dordogne is popular among British expats, as well as holiday and second-home owners.
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage sits on the French Opal Coast and has long been known as the "most British of French resort towns".
Paris is home to one of the largest expat communities in France, including many from the UK. The city hosts numerous English-speaking social groups, clubs, and expat associations, providing ample opportunities to meet like-minded people and build a supportive network.
Normally, people who are not U.S. citizens may receive U.S. Social Security benefits while outside the U.S. only if they meet certain requirements. However, under the agreement, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in France regardless of your nationality.
In summary, while French is the primary language in France, you can indeed survive—and even thrive—with just English, especially in larger cities and expat communities. With the right resources, a willingness to adapt, and a positive attitude, moving to France can be a rewarding experience.
French, a Gallo-Romance language, is spoken by nearly the entire population of France.
Broadly speaking, they head for the swathe of western France from Normandy and Brittany down through Nouvelle-Aquitaine to the Spanish border, as well as along and inland from the Mediterranean coast in Occitanie and Provence-Cote d'Azur, and in the Alps. Here are a few of the areas Brits can't get enough of.
Colmar, Alsace
The capital of the Alsace wine region is arguably the prettiest town in France. Resembling our very own Little Venice, the small canals and brightly coloured houses are something out of a fairytale.
In France, Brittany's Celtic Roots Run Deep
The historical province of Brittany is a region in Northwest France, and is comprised of five departments. Sometimes referred to as “Less”, “Lesser” or “Little Britain”, what Brittany is most known for is its deep Celtic roots.
D, which merely stands for day, is the designation used to indicate the start date of any American military operation. Military planners used plus and minus signs to designate days occurring before or after; two days before an operation commenced was indicated as D-2, three days after was D+3.
You're never far from the sea in Brittany in the west of France. Small bays, inlets, rocky outcrops and sandy beaches surround this luscious and beautiful country which has inspired generations of artists.
La Rochelle is nearly the midpoint of France's western coast and is known as the “White City” for the light reflecting from its limestone buildings.
A UK national must hold a long-stay visa if they intent to live in France or a French Overseas territory for longer than 90 days (whether for work, study, visitor, or family purposes)
It is frowned upon in France to shout or speak very loudly during a discussion or on the phone. We do not like people who stand out or who are too much in France.
Seine-Saint-Denis (French pronunciation: [sɛn sɛ̃ d(ə)ni]) is a department of France located in the Grand Paris metropolis in the Île-de-France region. In French, it is often referred to colloquially as quatre-vingt treize or neuf trois ("ninety-three" or "nine three"), after its official administrative number, 93.
If we take the studies on infidelity, the French are neither on the world podium, nor on the European one (usually 4th or 5th in Europe). In France, approximately 45% of people in a relationship have cheated on their partner.