Best places to retire in France
For retirees, Caen ranks highest in France (retire score 74/100), balancing affordability, a mild climate and safety. The most affordable option is Cannes. Our retire score = 40% cost + 30% climate + 30% safety.
Top retirement cities in France
- Caen — retire score 74/100 (cost 50, climate 98, safety 81)
- Rouen — retire score 73/100 (cost 50, climate 95, safety 83)
- Angers — retire score 73/100 (cost 49, climate 98, safety 81)
- Le Mans — retire score 73/100 (cost 49, climate 97, safety 81)
- Perpignan — retire score 73/100 (cost 50, climate 100, safety 78)
- Bordeaux — retire score 73/100 (cost 48, climate 99, safety 80)
- Rennes — retire score 73/100 (cost 48, climate 98, safety 80)
- Orléans — retire score 73/100 (cost 50, climate 95, safety 81)
- Tours — retire score 73/100 (cost 49, climate 96, safety 81)
- Limoges — retire score 73/100 (cost 49, climate 96, safety 81)
- Toulouse — retire score 72/100 (cost 46, climate 99, safety 80)
- Nantes — retire score 72/100 (cost 47, climate 99, safety 80)
Retire score weights affordability, climate comfort and disaster+crime safety. It does not include healthcare quality or retirement-visa rules — verify those separately.
FAQ
Where is the best place to retire in France?
Caen ranks highest in our retirement score (74/100), balancing affordability, mild climate and safety.
Is France a good place to retire?
France's best retirement city scores 74/100; the most affordable is Cannes (cost 51/100). We weigh cost, climate and natural-disaster + crime safety — not healthcare or visas, which you should check separately.
What's the cheapest place to retire in France?
Cannes has the lowest cost of living in France in our data.