Retiring to France is the classic dream, isn’t it? Long lunches, local markets, and a pace of life that actually lets you breathe. But since the rules changed a few years back, getting there and staying there requires a bit more than just picking out a farmhouse in the Dordogne. For official UK guidance on moving and living in France, see the UK Government website.

Here is our guide to retiring in France.

Where to Spend Your Retirement in France

Occitanie (Montpellier and Perpignan)

If you want the Mediterranean sun without the eye-watering prices of the Riviera, this is the place. Montpellier is vibrant and has world-class healthcare, while Perpignan offers a lovely blend of French and Catalan culture right near the Spanish border.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Dordogne and Bordeaux)

There’s a reason so many expats head here. The Dordogne offers that quintessential honey-coloured-stone-village lifestyle. If you prefer a bit more sophistication, Bordeaux is unbeatable for food, wine, and high-speed train links back to Paris (and the UK).

Brittany (Quimper and Rennes)

For those who find the South too hot, Brittany offers a rugged, green coastline that feels a bit like Cornwall but with better crepes. It’s also much more affordable, meaning your pension will go significantly further.

Paperwork and Apostilles

When you apply for your Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS), the French authorities are going to want to see a lot of your life on paper. It isn’t just about showing your passport anymore; they need to verify that your UK documents are the real deal. This is where the Apostille comes in. You can find official French government information about long-stay visas on the French Government website.

An Apostille is an official certificate attached to your UK documents (like birth or marriage certificates) by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It proves to the French government that the signature or seal on your document is genuine.

Don’t wait until the last minute. Getting an Apostille can take a few weeks, and you’ll often need these documents translated into French by a certified translator (traducteur assermenté) as well.

French Probate and Your Will

This is the bit most people skip because nobody likes talking about it, but French inheritance law is very different from the UK. In France, they have forced heirship, which means you can’t easily disinherit your children, they are legally entitled to a protected share of your estate.

If you’re moving permanently, you should seriously consider two things:

Electing UK Law – Under a rule called Brussels IV, you can actually state in your will that you want the law of your nationality (e.g., English law) to govern your estate instead of French law. This gives you back the freedom to choose your beneficiaries.

Making a French Will – Even if you have a UK will, having a specific French will for your French assets is a smart move. It speeds up the probate process immensely. Without it, your heirs might get caught in a nightmare of “French probate,” where a local Notaire has to wait for UK documents to be legalised and translated before they can release your French home or bank accounts. 

For support with French Probate click here.

 

If you need help with French Probate, contact French Probate Matters on 020 8150 2010 or info@frenchprobatematters.com