Best places to retire in France
For retirees, Rouen ranks highest in France (retire score 62/100), 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
- Rouen — retire score 62/100 (cost 21, climate 95, safety 83)
- Angers — retire score 62/100 (cost 20, climate 98, safety 81)
- Le Mans — retire score 62/100 (cost 21, climate 97, safety 81)
- Perpignan — retire score 62/100 (cost 22, climate 100, safety 78)
- Caen — retire score 62/100 (cost 22, climate 98, safety 81)
- Tours — retire score 62/100 (cost 21, climate 96, safety 81)
- Limoges — retire score 62/100 (cost 21, climate 96, safety 81)
- Nantes — retire score 61/100 (cost 18, climate 99, safety 80)
- Bordeaux — retire score 61/100 (cost 19, climate 99, safety 80)
- Rennes — retire score 61/100 (cost 19, climate 98, safety 80)
- Orléans — retire score 61/100 (cost 21, climate 95, safety 81)
- Clermont-Ferrand — retire score 61/100 (cost 21, climate 94, safety 81)
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?
Rouen ranks highest in our retirement score (62/100), balancing affordability, mild climate and safety.
Is France a good place to retire?
France's best retirement city scores 62/100; the most affordable is Cannes (cost 23/100). 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.