Why 2026 Is the Year to Make the Leap - Renting Before Buying: Your Test Drive of French Life
Even if you’ve adored a region on holiday, living there year-round is a completely different experience. Renting gives you the freedom to test drive your chosen area before making a long-term commitment.
Why Renting Is Smart
Seasons Reveal the Truth: A sunny summer in Provence feels very different from a mistral-blown winter. Normandy’s charm comes with rainier months, while Dordogne’s quiet winters may surprise you.
Daily Life Check: Renting lets you explore where the shops, schools, boulangerie, banks, post office, and market towns are - and whether they fit your lifestyle.
Community Fit: You’ll discover if the local pace, traditions, and neighbors suit your rhythm.
Flexibility: Renting avoids the pressure of buying too quickly and allows you to adjust your plans if needed.
Recommended Regions to Rent
Normandy & Brittany: Affordable rents, welcoming communities, and a chance to test coastal living.
Dordogne & Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Popular with Brits—renting helps you decide if the slower pace is right for you.
Occitanie (Toulouse, Aude, Pyrenees): Increasingly popular with Americans—renting lets you compare vibrant city life with quiet villages.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA): Higher rents, but renting offers a taste of Mediterranean lifestyle without immediate purchase pressure.
Paris & Île-de-France: Renting is common for professionals testing city life before committing to high property costs.
Renting = Learning
Think of renting as your cultural rehearsal. It’s not just about housing - it’s about learning the rhythm of French life: market days, café culture, and even the quirks of local bureaucracy. By renting first, you give yourself the gift of time to adapt, explore, and discover where you truly belong.
✨ 2026 is waiting - why rush into buying when you can rent, explore, and discover your perfect fit?
🤝 How I Can Support You
When you rent first, I can:
Help you find rental properties that match your lifestyle and budget - Tailored advice on regions that fit your lifestyle and budget
Guide you through rental contracts and tenant rights in France
Provide checklists for exploring your area (schools, shops, healthcare, transport)
Offer language tutoring so you can confidently interact with landlords, neighbors, and local services - Everyday French for shopping, healthcare, and community integration
Assist with setting up utilities and accounts even for short-term rentals - Bank accounts, health insurance, electricity, internet
Visa Guidance: From long-stay visas (VLS-TS) to family reunification and retirement options
Housing & Tax Navigation: Understanding taxe foncière, utilities, and regional costs
Cultural Coaching: Tips on embracing French traditions, etiquette, and local rhythms
Administrative Support: Carte de séjour renewals, driving license exchanges, and more
Weather Trade-Offs
Northwest (Normandy/Brittany): Cooler, wetter, but affordable and community-rich
South (Provence/Occitanie): Sunny, vibrant, but higher housing costs
Paris: Cosmopolitan, cultural hub, but expensive and crowded
Expat Demographics
Brits in France: Estimates range from 261,000 to 400,000 British citizens living in France. Popular regions include Aquitaine, Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées, Brittany, Poitou-Charentes, Normandy, and Dordogne.
Americans in France: Around 153,000 Americans live in France, with 25% in Paris (approx. 7,700 residents). Other popular areas include Occitanie, Provence, and Bordeaux.
Trend Shift: Recent data shows American arrivals increasing, while British migration has slowed post-Brexit
Visa Trends
France offers several visa categories tailored to different life paths:
Retirees:
VLS-TS (Visa de Long Séjour – Temporary Stay) for financially independent persons.
Requires proof of sufficient income/savings and healthcare coverage.
Professionals:
Long-stay work visas linked to employment contracts.
Tech-specific programs and talent visas available for skilled workers.
Families:
Family Reunification Visa for spouses and children.
Education visas for students joining French institutions.
Surround Yourself With What Reinforces Your Sense of Self
Moving to France is more than paperwork and logistics - it’s a chance to redefine your daily environment so it reflects who you are and who you want to become. The choices you make in where you live, how you decorate your home, and the communities you join will all shape your experience.
What This Means in Practice
Spaces That Reflect You: Choose a home that feels like you - whether that’s a rustic farmhouse in Normandy, a chic apartment in Paris, or a sunlit villa in Occitane.
People Who Uplift You: Seek out neighbors, expat groups, and local associations that value connection and warmth.
Daily Rituals: Establish routines that anchor you - morning walks to the boulangerie, weekly market visits, or quiet evenings with French literature.
Cultural Anchors: Surround yourself with traditions, foods, and festivals that make you feel both grounded and adventurous.
Professional Alignment: Ensure your work or retirement activities reflect your values - whether that’s volunteering, consulting, or simply embracing the slower pace of French life.
How I Can Help You Reinforce Your Identity
As your guide, I can:
Help you choose regions that align with your lifestyle and personality.
Share some cultaural advice so you feel confident in French traditions and etiquette.
Offer language tutoring to empower your everyday interactions.
Offer guidance that makes settling in smoother, so you can focus on what matters most - living authentically.
✨ Moving to France in 2026 isn’t just about finding a house - it’s about surrounding yourself with what reinforces your sense of self, so you can thrive in your new rhythm of life.
My Added Value
Seasonal Checklists: Reminders for tax deadlines, school registrations, and healthcare renewals.
Bilingual Templates: Ready-to-use letters for landlords, schools, and local authorities.
Emergency Guidance: What to do if you face sudden administrative issues (e.g., expiring carte de séjour).
Relocation Calendar: A month-by-month plan for moving, settling, and integrating.
2026 Is Waiting for you…
France offers not just a new address, but a new way of life. Whether you’re drawn by sunshine, history, or affordability, the key is to prepare well and stay open to the adventure. With the right guidance, you’ll not only move - you’ll belong.
