Brittany named top French region for retirement

A new study by BrokerChooser has identified Brittany as the most attractive region in France for retirees, surpassing the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region. Brittany achieved a score of 73.9 out of 100, driven largely by competitive real estate prices. The median sale price per room in Brittany is €34,000, which is less than half the cost of Île-de-France and significantly lower than the €72,000 seen in PACA. Additionally, Brittany boasts high environmental quality, with nearly half of its communes receiving high green space certifications.

PACA ranked second with a score of 67.1, performing strongly in healthcare density and life expectancy, though it was hindered by the country's most expensive real estate market. Nouvelle-Aquitaine followed in third place.

Concurrently, a shift in expatriation trends shows French retirees moving away from Portugal due to rising inflation and the end of certain tax advantages. Instead, many are returning to France, specifically targeting affordable mid-sized cities. Limoges, located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, has emerged as a primary destination. Known for its manageable cost of living and historic architecture, Limoges offers a more sustainable alternative to the rising costs of Portuguese coastal cities.