English speakers: if you want to live in France, moves to these best places for expats

Greetings for anglophone individuals interested in France.

You have just entrusted the search for your future property to a French real estate agent and want to prepare for your integration? So, you want to enjoy French culture, but are worried about not speaking the language? Fear not, because France isn't just for French speakers.

Let's explore the best places for English speakers to live in France, from bustling metropolises to quaint coastal towns. Let’s uncover hotspots where you can embrace “la vie française” without constant struggles with your French phrasebook.

While Paris offers welcoming districts like the Marais and the 16th arrondissement, prepare to be surprised by other excellent spots for English speakers throughout France.

Lyon: The gastronomic capital where people speak English

Lyon features more than just fantastic food. This vibrant city welcomes a growing number of English-speaking expats.

This is largely due to well-established support networks like the English-Speaking Families Group and active expat communities that facilitate their integration.

With over 150 international companies, including Interpol's global headquarters, Lyon hosts ample job opportunities for Anglophones.

The Cité Scolaire Internationale caters to expat families, delivering education in English from primary through high school levels.

Strasbourg: Where Europe meets France (in English speaking!)

Strasbourg attracts a varied international population, which rightly earns it its title as a European crossroads. As the seat of the European Parliament, it's a melting pot of cultures and languages. The Council of Europe and European Court of Human Rights are also based here, attracting a diverse international community that makes English widely spoken throughout the city.

Nice: The French Riviera's English-friendly gem

Nice, located on the French Riviera, features an international airport serving over 100 destinations worldwide.

The city hosts a population of 353,701 residents as of 2022 according to INSEE data. While specific data on anglophone expats in Nice isn't readily available, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region ranks 7th nationally for English proficiency with a moderate proficiency score of 521.

English speakers can find opportunities to use their language in certain neighborhoods, particularly around the Old Town. Some expat associations regularly organize meetups and networking events in the city center.

Toulouse: The pink city with a colorful English-speaking scene

Known as “La Ville Rose”, Toulouse is blushing with English speakers.

Home to Airbus and a thriving aerospace industry, Toulouse attracts international professionals.

The city boasts several international schools, including the International School of Toulouse.

Saint-Nazaire: An unexpected Anglophone place to live near the coast of France

Nestled in the Loire-Atlantique department (44), Saint-Nazaire hosts major international companies like Airbus and STX Europe (now “Chantiers de l'Atlantique”).

These aerospace and shipbuilding industries naturally attract international workers, including English speakers, though specific demographic data on the anglophone community isn't readily available.

The city's proximity to Nantes, which has a more established expat community, adds to its appeal for international professionals.

Nantes: A creative hub in the western region of France

Nantes is reinventing itself as a creative and tech hub, attracting English-speaking professionals and artists.

The Hub Créatic, a 6,600m² innovation space, houses over 55 digital startups including Intuitive Robots, Immodvisor, and Cashway, creating a thriving English-friendly tech ecosystem.

The city hosts excellent infrastructure for international families, including the International School of Nantes which follows the English National Curriculum, and the British International School of Nantes offering British-style education.

For cultural integration, the Centre culturel franco-britannique operates within Europa Nantes, providing English-language cultural activities and resources.

The Nantes Anglophone Society organizes regular events for English speakers, while Tandem language exchange connects over 453 English learners in the city.

Professional English speakers can access services like Berlitz Nantes for business English training, and specialized bookstores like Librairie Durance offer extensive English-language sections.

Little tip if you are coming to visit the city soon: the city's unique "Le Voyage à Nantes" art trail features installations with English descriptions, making it accessible to non-French speakers.

Make the move with some practical tips for English speakers

Planning your move? Here are some helpful tips for settling into life in France.

Learn French with the help of associations

While these cities are known to be welcoming to English speakers, learning French remains a major asset for successful immersion and better integration. For your information, there are some concrete names of associations for learning French:

• The Alliance Française offers courses in most major French cities, with options for intensive programs or flexible online learning ;

• For free language support, La Croix Rouge Française provides French as a Foreign Language workshops in Paris and other major cities. Their courses are divided by skill levels ;

• In western France, the Parler Français association in La Rochelle welcomes learners from over 50 different nationalities. On the program: daily conversation workshops and specialized classes for complete beginners.

Have fun while learning basic French

Beyond traditional French courses like those offered by the Alliance Française network, there are many other concrete opportunities to practice the language daily:

• Language exchanges: join platforms like Serve the City Paris which hosts French sessions every Wednesday and English sessions on Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, or try online platforms like Tandem, HelloTalk, and Speaky for virtual practice ;

• French cinema: start with beginner-friendly films like "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain" (slow, clear narration) or "Intouchables" (mix of formal and informal French) ;

• French music: listen to classics like Édith Piaf's (example "Dans ma rue", sung slowly, but old audio), Grand Corps Malade (for his well-articulated slams) or Carla Bruni (example "Quelqu'un m'a dit") ;

• Local press: read beginner-friendly newspapers like "20 Minutes" (free daily with straightforward articles) or "Mon Quotidien" (designed for 10-13 year olds but perfect for adult beginners) ;

• Learning apps: try Pingo AI for conversation practice or Duolingo's gamified approach ;

• These concrete methods will help you progress quickly and feel more comfortable in your new life in France.

  
  

These concrete methods will help you progress quickly and feel more comfortable in your new life in France.

Connect with expats and English speakers in France

Every city we've mentioned has active expat communities. Websites like InterNations.org or Meetup host regular events for English speakers in France.

Overcomes the language barrier. Try to speak English with French people! You will probably learn some French words this way, because the French are among the worst English speakers in Europe, but they hold their own at the global level. Indeed, in 2024, France will rank 49th out of 116 countries and 33rd out of 35 European countries, which places it behind many European neighbors (Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, etc.).

Get help from a good real estate agent to settle in easily

For those seeking property in France, an English-speaking real estate agency can be helpful in navigating legal documents like the 'compromis de vente' and the process of securing a French mortgage.

Other questions that people who want to come and live in France may ask themselves

What foreign language do the French speak best?

Statistically, English is the foreign language that the French learn the most and master the best.

English is by far the most studied language, starting in primary school and continuing throughout the school curriculum, for the vast majority of students.

English is also omnipresent in music, films, television series, the internet, and the business world, which exposes the French to this language in a constant and informal way.

Finally, French people who learn English are often motivated by professional or cultural reasons, recognizing its global importance.

Is it difficult to speak French?

What can be difficult?

• Pronunciation: French has sounds that don't exist in English, such as the rolled "r" or nasal vowels (on, an, in, un). Word intonation and stress are also very different ;

• Grammar: French is a more gendered language than English. All nouns have a gender (masculine or feminine), which affects articles, adjectives, and sometimes pronouns. Verb conjugation is also more complex, with many tenses and different endings depending on the subject. Word order can also be confusing ;

• Vocabulary: Although there are many words of Latin origin common to both languages, there are also many "false friends" (words that sound similar but don't have the same meaning) and significant differences in everyday vocabulary ;

• Idioms: As in all languages, French is full of expressions and proverbs that cannot be translated literally and require specific learning.

What might be easier?

• Alphabet: French uses the same Latin alphabet as English, which makes initial reading and writing easier ;

• Lexical similarities: Thanks to history and mutual influence, many French and English words have common roots. For example, "information" is "information," "nation" is "nation" ;

• Exposure: French is a widely taught language, and there are many resources (films, music, books, online courses) to facilitate learning.

How can you break the language barrier with technology?

You can use translation apps like Google Translate or DeepL. Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Memrise are also excellent tools for learning useful phrases.

How to move to France?

It's best to be accompanied by someone who speaks English very well (and other languages ​​if necessary) and, above all, knows France very well. This is exactly what Maxence Toulouse of Iddyl Property offers.

English speakers: discover even more information for a new and beautiful life in France

For more insights on making France your home, check out our guide on how to buy real estate in France or this article to learn how to search for a property in France.

Also discover the answers to many questions from future or new French residents through this FAQ on real estate in France for foreigners and this specialized blog.

If you are ready to embark on your French adventure, your first step towards a new life in France could be connecting with an English-speaking real estate agent.

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