Top Cities for Living and Working in France
France is a popular destination for immigrants due to its advanced social system, employment opportunities, high quality of life, and rich cultural heritage. Almost everyone can find what they’re looking for here. But the question is, where exactly should one look?
In this article, you’ll learn about the specifics of living and working in the most popular cities in the country, as well as the best city in France that has held the top spot in rankings for several years.
Previously, we wrote about the 7 best cities in Germany.
Top 10 Best Cities in France
l’Association des Villes et villages où il fait bon vivre (Association of Cities and Villages Where Life is Good) has been ranking localities based on quality of life for several years.
The ranking is compiled annually based on 200 criteria, including access to medical care, safety, availability of shops, property prices, tax rates, and even the level of environmental protection in all French cities.
Large metropolises occupy low places in this ranking—for example, Paris is only in 91st place, and Marseille is in 129th. This result is explained by the high cost of living, population density, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution combined with a lack of green spaces—criteria that have gained importance after the pandemic.
Let’s look at the candidates considered the best cities in France for living.
Angers
This city has topped the list of the best cities in France for living for several years. Located 2 hours by train from Paris, it offers jobs in services, industry, healthcare, and digital technologies. At the same time, it is pleasant and comfortable to live in.
Bayonne
A thriving economic center in the southwest of the country with employment opportunities in sectors such as aeronautics, agribusiness, tourism, and others. It has a mild climate and a vibrant life, including the famous Bayonne festivals.
Biarritz
A seaside resort with an international reputation and a mild climate, served by its own airport. Besides tourism, it has a developed sports industry (particularly surfing and other water sports, golf) and healthcare (thalassotherapy and rehabilitation). The information technology sector is also thriving.
Anglet
The least known city in the BAB (Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz) agglomeration, it competes with its neighbors in the field of marine tourism thanks to surfing spots and natural factors. Dassault Aviation and Carrefour are major employers. The industry is growing, but the main recruiters are in the catering, childcare, and retail sectors.
La Rochelle
Due to its three ports, the city is primarily commercial. Fishing, boating, and tourism are also popular. The agribusiness and technology sectors are flagship areas—for example, Tech Atlantic Valley creates jobs with its startups.
Lorient
Known as the “city of 5 ports,” Lorient has a dynamic economy, with the trade and transport sectors most represented. Innovations are also on the rise within the “Lorient Technopole” project.
Annecy
Despite its reputation as a tourist destination, the city welcomes companies from various sectors: agribusiness, textiles, sports, and recreation. Additionally, it has a low unemployment rate.
Rennes
The capital of the Brittany region, a city known for its burgeoning digital sector and vibrant nightlife. With more than 327,000 job vacancies and low unemployment, Rennes has become very attractive. Moreover, it is just an hour and a half away from Paris by TGV train.
Brest
A city with a port and an airport, appealing to cultural enthusiasts: it has many museums and festivals, three professional sports teams, and numerous water activities. The job market is quite diverse, but the defense and healthcare sectors predominate, ahead of agribusiness, fishing, and tourism.
Le Mans
Famous for the renowned 24-hour car race, it offers not only jobs in the automotive industry (though this is a major recruiter due to Renault). The agribusiness and digital companies are also well developed, supporting the work of Tech Le Mans.
Top 10 Cities in France for Work
At the same time, Hellowork (a leading French online employment platform) conducted its own study to identify the most attractive metropolises for work according to French workers. The ranking includes:
- Paris
- Lyon
- Aix-en-Provence
- Nantes
- Bordeaux
Other regions like Alsace and Brittany are also favorable; Lille, Toulouse, and Rennes are among the best places for work in France. The least attractive in terms of employment and the job market are Nice and Tours. Thus, a slight paradox arises—large French cities are better for work, but they occupy quite low places in livability rankings.
Hellowork’s ranking is partially agreed upon by EveryCheck, a resume-checking platform, which also compiled a top list of the best French cities offering good working conditions.
| City | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Paris | A favorite place for immigrants. According to INSEE (French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies), there are far more jobs in the City of Lights than active residents (1.8 million vs. 1.1 million). Working in Paris opens up many professional opportunities, especially in finance, technology, and fashion. |
| Toulouse | Known for the global headquarters of Airbus Group, it offers 98,000 jobs in the aviation sector alone. The heart of the city’s economy is the Aerospace Valley. A TGV high-speed rail line connecting Toulouse to Paris is scheduled to open by 2025, increasing the city’s attractiveness. |
| Lyon | A thriving economic center with strong pharmaceutical and tech companies. The healthcare sector has 49,750 jobs, along with 14,400 in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technologies. More than 200 enterprises in these fields improve the quality of life in Lyon with its healthcare system and relatively affordable living costs. |
| Marseille | Despite a high unemployment rate compared to other cities (9.6%), many sectors in Marseille are hiring for 39,000 jobs. This number may increase with the development of the Grand Maritime Port. |
| Bordeaux | Located in the heart of world-famous vineyards, the city offers many vacancies in the winemaking industry, tourism, and a growing startup ecosystem. According to La French Tech, Bordeaux is home to 1,577 startups. It is also considered one of the most beautiful cities in France. |
| Nantes | A dynamic city on the west coast showing economic growth, especially in healthcare, technology, and the maritime industry. About 40% of companies in Nantes are looking for new employees. |
| Grenoble | Often called the capital of the Alps, it has well-developed industries, large research, and scientific centers. Located at the foot of the Alps, it provides easy access to mountain sports. |
| Strasbourg | A border city with an international atmosphere, home to the European Parliament and many European institutions, offering a mix of French and German culture and concentrating business, especially in research and energy sectors. In Q2 2023, Strasbourg had 10,727 job vacancies. |
| Rennes | We have already mentioned this city. It also has good employment prospects. |
| Aix-en-Provence | A cultural and educational center, home to renowned schools and universities, offering jobs in relevant fields. |
Cost of Living in French Cities
Let’s summarize the overview of French cities with a comparative table of salary and cost of living data in some cities.
| City | Average Annual Salary (€) | Average Apartment Rent (€ per month)* | Average Cost of Living (€ per person per month, without rent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 32,450 | 1,725 | 1,107 |
| Toulouse | 28,811 | 715 | 1,630 |
| Lyon | 30,000 | 979 | 1,955 |
| Marseille | 27,000 | 801 | 1,728 |
| Bordeaux | 28,216 | 830 | 1,313 |
| Angers | 25,419 | 602 | 1,154 |
| Bayonne | 22,800 | 1,092 | 1,152 |
| Biarritz | 28,674 | 1,355 | 1,265 |
| Anglet | 30,000 | 911 | n/a |
| La Rochelle | 27,004 | 1,045 | 1,169 |
| Rennes | 29,225 | 1,136 | 1,315 |
*Data from SeLoger website
Money Transfers from Europe
Wherever you decide to settle in France, many cities can offer a high standard of living and decent jobs. And if you need to help your loved ones financially abroad, the Korona app offers favorable conditions: low exchange rate markup and no commission on currency conversion transfers.
The Korona app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
In our blog, we often describe life and work in European countries. If you are interested in this topic, follow the link and read more.