This article takes a look at the best place to retire in France for English speakers. Check out our free full list at 12 Best Places to Retire in France for English Speakers.
On Retiring to France
Almost everyone dreams of retiring to the picturesque landscapes and idyllic towns of France. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best places to retire around the world. However, the current sentiment of those who live there is far from idyllic. In April 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron signed into law an unpopular pension reform, raising the state pension age to 64 from 62. Despite furious public protests, the law was pushed into effect to prevent the pension system from collapsing. Over 10,000 tons of trash piled up on Paris streets after a strike by sanitation workers, whose state pension age was pushed to 59 from 57. Considering their jobs are physically harder, these workers already had a pension age lower than the national.
Despite the protests and anger demonstrated by the French, Macron used a special article of the French constitution that allowed the government to force the bill without a vote. Nevertheless, it seems that French retirees are seemingly faring better than many of their counterparts. The statutory retirement age will increase by three months each year, reaching 64 by the end of the decade. Retirement at 64 is still lower than in other countries in the bloc such as Germany, where the age comes out to be 65.7 years. The net pension that the French receive on average is around €1,400, higher than most of Eastern Europe and the UK. As per Al Jazeera’s findings, the French get a comparatively better sum in pensions and live more cheaply than most Europeans.
Regardless of what the French may feel about their retirement in the country, France remains a highly attractive destination for expats. This is especially true for British expats since the country is in proximity to their own and offers a distinct yet attractive lifestyle, climate, and culture. An estimated 150,000 UK expats live in France, giving birth to numerous vibrant expat communities all over the country. Some of the best places to live in France for retirement are its idyllic towns and villages, offering the best of French culture and cuisine. Many retirees may also choose to retire in the modern cities instead. No matter where they choose to retire, one major barrier that they often face is that of language.
English proficiency in the country is one of the lowest in Western Europe. The EF English Proficiency Index places France at 43rd position, which means the country has “medium proficiency” when it comes to speaking the language. This is one of the lowest for all the Northern European countries included in the study. For those who wish to retire to France, learning the language can certainly help in a smoother transition. It’s quite easy to learn a language online, and the individual learner segment, in particular, accounts for the largest share of the online language learning market (48.8%). Some key players in the online language learning industry include Babbel, Duolingo, and Rosetta Stone LLC, to name a few. Users can try to polish their language-speaking skills through applications and learning materials provided by such companies.
Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) is an American educational technology company producing learning apps and offering language certifications. At the close of Q1 2024, 43 hedge funds held long positions in the company. The most prominent shareholder of the company is Durable Capital Partners, holding a position worth $684.93 million.
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Methodology:
To compile the list of best places to retire in France for English speakers, we began by listing all major cities and towns in France. Next, we ranked them based on various factors such as expat population, English proficiency, culture, healthcare, transportation, cost of living, and number of recreational and social opportunities. The expat population and English proficiency were given double weightage to highlight the best places to retire for English speakers. Places were scored and ranked in an ascending order, from the lowest to the highest scores.
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Here is the best place to retire in France for English speakers:
1. Paris
Insider Monkey Score: 9.2
Based on our methodology, the best place to retire in France for English speakers is Paris. Many English expats live in France. Often the dream of aspiring retirees, Paris truly captures the essence of an ideal golden period. From attending performances at the Opéra Garnier and visiting the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral to reading at Parisian cafes and indulging in French cuisine, retirement in the dream city means living your golden period to the fullest.
Paris is also home to top-notch healthcare. However, the cost of living isn’t affordable for just anyone looking to retire here. The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,500, while a single retiree can expect to spend anywhere around $3,000 in monthly expenses. According to Euromonitor International for the British Council, 60.28% of Parisians speak a basic level of English. Therefore, getting around in Paris without speaking much French is quite possible, though it’s best to learn a few phrases to keep the conversation friendly.
Check out our full-free list at 12 Best Places to Retire in France for English Speakers.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published on Insider Monkey.
