Annecy© genekrebs-iStockphoto.com
We've already revealed the happiest countries in the world to live in, and now here's the ranking of cities where life is good in France! Unveiled in the Journal du dimanche a short while ago and drawn up by the association "Villes et villages où il fait bon vivre", this study takes into account quality of life, as well as safety and the availability of shops and services. From north to south, from Normandy to the PACA region, almost 35,000 communes took part in the survey. If you're thinking of moving, or are simply curious to find out whether the people who took part in the survey liked your home town, here's the top list of towns with more than 2,000 inhabitants!
20 - Nantes, City of Dukes
Nantes© saiko3p - iStockphoto.com
Regularly ranked as one of the world's most livable cities, Nantes is a green city with over a hundred parks and gardens. The banks of the Loire are ideal for cycling, and there's no shortage of museums, giving the city an undeniable cultural dynamism. Among the must-sees in Nantes are the Natural History Museum, housed in the former Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the museum dedicated to Jules Verne, the local hero.
See our article on Visiting Nantes in 2 days: what can you do in a weekend?
19 - Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the sea on the horizon
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin© vale_t-iStockphoto.com
No, it doesn't always rain in Normandy! And even if it did, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is a pleasant town to live in, as the results of this survey show! If you love the sea, you'll be in heaven here: Cherbourg shines on the Cotentin peninsula, facing one of the world's largest artificial harbors, a true masterpiece of engineering. We also love the town center and its beaches. Check out our Top 15 of Normandy's most beautiful beaches.
18 - Anglet, at the top of the wave
Anglet© Gregory Guivarch - Shutterstock.com
The second-largest town on the Basque coast, Anglet is becoming increasingly popular for its quality of life. Here, natural assets abound: the ocean and pine forest as a backdrop to a host of outdoor activities, from surfing to golf and thalassotherapy. The "chambre d'amour", named after the cave facing the ocean where two lovers met in the 17th century, also attracts the curious. Will you find your own love chamber in Anglet?
Discover our top 15 most beautiful villages in the Basque Country.
17 - Rennes, Brittany at its heart
Rennes© Olrat - istockphoto.com
A student city and cultural destination, Rennes has everything to convince any doubters. Its historic center, with its cobblestone streets and half-timbered facades, is a must-see. Rennes also boasts a number of green spaces, such as the Parc du Thabor and Parc des Gayeulles, which are very pleasant in fine weather. In terms of culture, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, home to works by Botticelli and Rubens, is a must-see. Last but not least, bite into a galette-saucisse, and you'll have a good idea of what Ille-et-Vilaine has to offer!
What to do in Rennes for a weekend with friends?
16 - Brest, between land and sea
Brest© bbsferrari - stockadobe.com
Welcome to Finistère! Close to Brittany's wild coastline, where the land ends, Brest is becoming increasingly attractive for its dynamic job market and unique living environment. Here, once you've finished your day's work, you can take advantage of the host of water-based activities on offer: paddle, sail, kayak... If you'd like to find out more about marine life, the Océanopolis is a must-see for young and old alike.
15 - Elegant Biarritz
Biarritz© dutourdumonde-iStockphoto.com
Between Brittany and the Basque Coast, respondents' hearts sway! Biarritz comes fifteenth in the ranking. Although the summer crowds can make it less pleasant during August, life is good in this sporty town where surfing is a religion. But Biarritz isn't all about taming the waves, with a wide range of activities on offer, including golf, thalassotherapy and, of course, hiking to discover the beauty of the Basque country.
14 - Le Havre, a surprising city
Le Havre© Maddly - stock.adobe.com
Le Havre's bewildering architecture, the result of post-war reconstruction, leaves visitors in awe. This UNESCO World Heritage city in the Seine-Maritime region has managed to preserve the imprint of the past while looking to the future, which is why its inhabitants are so satisfied with their living environment! In addition to the beach in the heart of the city, Le Havre is also a gateway to famous seaside resortssuch as Étretat and Honfleur.
13 - Saint-Étienne, a creative city
Saint-Etienne© Sasha64f-iStockPhoto.com
Saint-Étienne has always been avant-garde city in terms of design. It was here, for example, that the first railroad line (outside Great Britain) was laid, and that one of the first tramways was put into operation. Today, the city has retained this dynamism, which can be seen in the streets of its town center, along murals such as the " toothbrush that makes you laugh ". Another plus point is the attractive housing prices.
12 - Rodez, a quiet town
Rodez© Eo Naya - Shutterstock.com
A must-see town in Aveyron, Rodez is seductive for its tranquility and security. At the heart of a sublime natural setting, it's also the ideal place from which to explore the whole ofAveyron. Architectural treasures (Notre-Dame cathedral, episcopal palace...) and small pedestrian streets make up its pleasant historic center. With a population of 23,949, Rodez is a city on a human scale, and one that could well attract newcomers!
11 - Strasbourg, the belle of the East
Strasbourg© MarinaD_37-Shutterstock.com
Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament and Christmas capital of France, needs no introduction. The city boasts a 2,000-year history, which you can discover as you explore its monuments. Strasbourg's monumental cathedral is a landmark for newcomers and the city's emblem. A city on a human scale, Strasbourg's gastronomy and art of living are internationally renowned! We bet you'll meet new people in one of these friendly taverns serving great sauerkraut!
Discover our article Visiting Strasbourg in 2 days: what can you do in a weekend?
10 - Lorient, the indisputable Brittany
Lorient© Mélanie Chosson
After Finistère and Ille-et-Vilaine, it's time to visit Morbihan's most popular region, Lorient! Here, life is good, thanks in particular to the sea, which makes for an undeniably dynamic economy: Lorient is France's third-largest fishing port and Brittany's leading commercial port. But there's more to Lorient than its port: it's a city where traditions live on, with a strong Breton identity, as demonstrated by its Interceltic Festival. A true immersion in Brittany!
9 - Caen, dynamic and historic
Caen© NatureStock1 - Shutterstock.com
With its dynamic student population, it's hardly surprising that Caen comes ninth in this ranking. Marked by its history and that of its region, Caen is a reminder of its past, not only in its unmissable Memorial, but also in the castle built by William the Conqueror, one of the largest in northern Europe. Caen's proximity to the green Normandy countryside and the D-Day beaches is another undeniable asset.
8 - Attractive Bordeaux
Bordeaux© Eo Naya - Shutterstock.com
Bordeaux is one of France's most attractive cities! The job market is flourishing and the geographical location - on the Gironde estuary and just a few kilometers from the Dune du Pilat or the Lège-Cap Ferret peninsula - is remarkable. The city's attractiveness has contributed to a sharp rise in housing prices, but Bordeaux remains a great place to live!
Visit Bordeaux in 2 days: what can you do in a weekend?
7 - Avignon, capital of Vaucluse
Avignon© Bertl 123 - iStockPhoto.com
Are you as happy as a pope? Avignon and its three hundred days of sunshine a year have convinced its inhabitants! Culturally dynamic, the city is, of course, famous for its Palais des Papes and the bridge featured in the famous nursery rhyme, but also for its its annual live theater festival (the biggest in the world, by the way!). Avignon is a permanent spectacle!
What to do in Avignon? Discover the 13 must-sees!
6 - Nice, the sea at the end of the street
Nice© iStockphoto.com
With its 10 km of coastline, Nice has something for everyone looking for a change of scene. A dynamic economic hub - home to Europe's leading technology park - Nice also offers a wealth of cultural and sporting activities numerous cultural and sporting activities throughout the year (and, of course, its typical Carnival!). Its mild climate, thanks in particular to the county's hills and coastline, makes it a pleasant city in all seasons.
Visit Nice in 2 days: what can you do in a weekend?
5 - Le Mans, for more than 24 hours
Le Mans© Leonid Andronov - stock.adobe.com
Well-known for its motorcycle racing, Le Mans is also a city of art and history, with the Cité Plantagenêt, a twenty-hectare medieval town, at its heart. An ideal place for a stroll, at the foot of the cathedral, it is certainly the most evocative image of Le Mans. A green city, Le Mans also boasts a number of pleasant green spaces, including the Jardin des Plantes, Ile aux Planches and the Arche de la Nature, just 10 minutes from the city center.
4 - Angers, a green city
Angers© SergiyN - iStockphoto.com
The capital of Anjou just misses the podium! With its pleasant medieval atmosphere in the city center, its constant attention to the environment and its reasonable property prices, Angers is attracting a growing number of residents. At the heart of the Loire Valley, in France's third-largest wine-growing region, Angers has plenty to offer: just a stroll along the banks of the Loire is enough to convince you!
3 - La Rochelle, the Charente way of life
La Rochelle© Alexander Demyanenko - Shutterstock.com
On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, La Rochelle is a quiet town in the Charente-Maritime region. It would seem that life here is gentle and pleasant, as it comes in third place in this ranking! Ecologically aware, La Rochelle is home to great biodiversity and several natural ecosystems: sandy coasts, cliff coasts, coves, small capes... Four harbours and three beaches have also been developed along its coastline! Discover all the must-do activities in La Rochelle.
2 - Bayonne, capital of the Basque Country
Bayonne© Delpixart-iStockphoto.com
Bayonne is known for the festivals that bring it to life every summer, but it seems that Bayonne is pleasant all year round, coming in second place in this ranking by the association "Villes et villages où il fait bon vivre" ("Towns and villages where life is good")! Its motto Nunquam Polluta, which means "never soiled", shows just how well the town has preserved its heritage. What ' s more, Annecy's exceptional setting is unquestionable : just a 15-minute bus ride away, the ocean awaits!
1 - Annecy, the elegant Savoyard town
Annecy© genekrebs-iStockphoto.com
Is it the presence of its famous lake? Or its efficient public transport? Or its dynamic job market? According to this survey,Annecy is the "best place to live" in France with a population of over 2,000! Chic and elegant, its medieval center is a jewel. Nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps" for its picturesque setting, the town is irrigated by the Thiou river and surrounded by the Bornes and Bauges massifs. A real picture postcard!
