7 Best Towns In France For Retirees
In France, retirement turns daily life into a pleasure, with morning market runs for warm baguettes, afternoons in Loire Valley gardens and riverside lanes, and evenings built around a small table, a good bottle, and lingering sunset light.
On the coast, Saint-Malo delivers salty rampart walks, and café stops by the sand. Further inland, Amboise mixes bike rides along the Loire with Renaissance history and winery afternoons. If you want days that stay simple, scenic, and deeply local, start by visiting these towns below.
Amboise
Situated along the banks of the Loire River, Amboise is rich in history and culture that dates back to the Roman Era. The city is best known for the Château d’Amboise. Built in the 15th century, it was the residence for French Royalty during the Renaissance. Today, visitors to the Château can walk the gardens and observe 90 species of birds that live within the site. Retirees can also take in the majestic views of the Loire Valley. Wine lovers can spend their retirement years exploring the local vineyards. The Loire Valley is known for producing Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc wines.
Enjoy exercising while walking around town and stopping at the Tarte Tatin for a fresh croissant or an apple tart. Tarte Tatin is a favorite local bakery to make a favorite stop. Bike lovers can take a trail along the Loire River. Check out the rose gardens while taking in the sights and sounds. Amboise hosts frequent community events each year, including the Festival of Roses.
Amboise offers retirees local access to healthcare at the Le Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal Amboise. The town also offers a few retirement communities with EHPADs Grand Mail and the Résidence Services Seniors. The median home sale price is €228/sq ft as of January 2026, according to Properstar.
Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo offers retirees who can afford a higher cost of living the benefits of living in a coastal town. Retirees find the community highly supportive and friendly when they know something of the national language and history. Saint-Malo offers retirees an oceanic climate with mild winters and cool summers. The town sits right on the Grand Plage beach. There are several other beaches to explore, including the Plage du Sillon or the Plage des Bas-Sablons. Take a walk along the ocean in the early morning to find the quiet and peace of the Gulf of Saint-Malo.
For history lovers, visit numerous museums and historical sites like the Saint-Malo Ramparts or the Fort National. Active retirees also enjoy the biking and hiking trails on the beach or nearby, with plenty of country scenery. Learn to sail or take part in other water activities at the City of Saint-Malo Marina. Rent a canoe, kayak, or even a paddleboard and explore the beauty of the area from the water.
The median home sale price is €430/sq ft as of January 2026, according to Properstar. Healthcare is available locally at the Hospital Center de Saint Malo or the Hospital Center Broussais. The city offers senior housing options at the Residence Oui Seniors and the Les Néréides Résidence Avec Services.
Langres
Langres is a small town located in Haute-Marne. For retirees wanting to retire in a quiet and relaxing town away from tourists, consider Langres. The city is a French county town full of history and culture, with easy access to nature. The town sits on a rocky cliff and is surrounded by open countryside and agriculture. Langres is a classic walled city with seven gates and twelve towers. Retirees can walk the walls and get an exceptional view of Liez Lake, the Marne Valley, and the Langres Plateau.
Retirees have access to the Guy-Baillet Museum of Art & History, which includes an elaborate collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative art. Seniors who enjoy water activities will find four lakes in the surrounding area, including Liez, Charmes, Mouche, and Vingeanne. Fish, swim, boat, or hike and enjoy the water. Simply walking through the city is an experience in Renaissance architecture featuring Gallo-Roman Monuments and various elaborate cathedrals like the Cathedral Saint-Mammes, Church Saint-Martin, and the Citadel of Langres.
The median home sale price is €111/sq ft as of January 2026, according to Properstar. Seniors have a community center locally at the Maison des services - Bel air or the Centre Social. Healthcare is available locally at the Hospital of Langres or the Medical Center Jeanne Mance.
Riquewihr
Riquewihr is a small village in Alsace near the German border. The town is part of the Alsace Wine Route. Retirees who love wine will be home in Riquewihr. The village is best known for its vineyards, dating back to the Middle Ages. Riquewihr is a leading producer of quality white and red wines. Seniors will enjoy walking the winding streets of town, looking at the medieval homes. Residents can lose themselves in the twists and turns the streets take.
Retirees find exercise and entertainment by visiting the Dolder Tower and the Rue Des Ramparts. Hike the nearby Vosges Mountains or explore the nearby towns. Tour vineyards on foot or hike a wide variety of nearby trails, like the Mandelberg or the Crossing of the Vosges Massif, for a longer hike. Visit the castles as you hike along the Alsace Stronghold Castles Path.
The median home sale price is €238/sq ft as of January 2026, according to Properstar. Healthcare is not available in town, but residents can access services in nearby Colmar with a ten-minute drive. Colmar offers several medical options, including Health Centre Alsace and Hospital Albert Schwietzer.
Chartres
Chartres is a friendly and welcoming town offering retirees a quiet small town and a slower pace of life. The city sits in the Centre region, southwest of Paris. Chartres is a gateway to the Loire Valley with dozens of active vineyards. Chartres features a historic pedestrian downtown. Retirees can walk the town and explore the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres. History lovers will enjoy the Centre International du Vitrail. Chartres offers retirees a small, tight-knit community. Browse the city markets or enjoy local dining at Les Feuillantines or Maison Ailleurs B&B.
Seniors into history and exercise can walk numerous pilgrimage trails and visit shrines from dozens of historic churches. The city sponsors several community festivals year-round, including the Chartres en Lumières festival that lights up the historic sites in Old Town with a sound and light show highlighting each building’s unique features. Walk the Old Town Trail anytime to admire the rebuilt homes from the 15th and 16th centuries.
The median home sale price is €227/sq ft as of January 2026, according to Properstar. Healthcare facilities are available in nearby Le Coudray at the Centre Hospitaler de Chartres, or the Hospital Louis Pasteur, within a ten-minute drive. Chartres does offer several senior living communities in town, including the Résidence Montana Chartres and the Résidence Services Seniors DOMITYS.
Hautvillers
Hautvillers is located in the heart of the Champagne region in the middle of the Montagne de Reims Regional Nature Park and is the birthplace of Champagne, created by monk Dom Pierre Pérignon at the Saint-Pierre Abbey. The National Forest of Verzy is nearby and is the world’s main reserve for dwarf beech trees. Hiking the trails is like walking through a fairytale.
Visit a town park offering a green space to relax or explore. Visit the Pierre Cheval Park to see the status of Dom Pierre Pérignon and view the many murals depicting the history of Hautvillers. Enjoy the panoramic view of the entire Marne Valley and its vineyards, villages, and forests from one of the lookout points in town. Seniors will enjoy the liveliness of the town, including wine tasting cellars like Au 36, local restaurants, and fresh farm markets. Consider renting a bike at Alta Bike and get the convenience of using an electric bike to explore the area or enjoy the fresh air.
The median home sale price in the area is €155/sq ft as of January 2026, according to Properstar. Healthcare facilities are not available in town. However, there are several within a short drive in the town of Epernay.
Cassis
Cassis sits right next to the city of Marseille. Cassis is one of many beach towns stretching approximately 150 miles along the Provence/Côte d’Azur coast. Retirees looking for a coastal town near the Mediterranean Sea will find Cassis perfect. Swim and scuba dive in the turquoise waters year-round. Retirees who enjoy hiking can find trails running along the top of the Calanques or get to them via a tour boat.
Seniors can walk from the center of town to the vineyards in under ten minutes. Drop by the St. Magdeleine Winery to taste the best of the eco-friendly wines in the world. Hikers and bikers can find additional trails near the red cliffs featuring ancient forest and grand cliff views. Cassis is home to the mountain peak Cap Canaille in the Calanques National Park. Both include plenty of biking and hiking trails. Head down to the seafront promenade and enjoy a variety of seafood restaurants and cafés like the Restaurant Brasserie Le Canaille or Le Petit Oyster Bar.
The median home sale price in the area is €897/sq ft as of January 2026, according to Properstar. Healthcare is available locally at the Health Space de Cassis. Cassis offers two senior communities at La Maison du Bel Âge and La Bastide des Creeks.
Spending Your Golden Years In France
Retiring in France offers retirees the opportunity to enjoy nature and a wide variety of local restaurants and small, historic communities. Whether you are looking for a coastal or inland location, there are several quality options depending on your budget. The winding streets of Riquewihr are second to none and create an amazing labyrinth of homes and shops. Experience the colorful Cassis near the Mediterranean Sea and enjoy sunrise to sunset. Find your retirement adventure in France.
