For decades now that several platforms have been analyzing data on the best countries to live in, France has claimed the top spot countless times. Despite the unique metrics that these platforms deploy, the west European country takes home the cake. France is a great country not only to work and live but to retire too. It is one of the most ravishing and refined European nations with a perfect climate, terrific foods, and a culture like gravity that pulls you all in.

Most foreigners who have lived in France or still live there seem to agree that universal healthcare, infrastructure, security, economy, environment, leisure- to name a few- are France’s selling points. Having lived in the country for a significant part of my life, I took the liberty of compiling what makes France a particularly great place to live.

Work/Life Balance

Unlike many western nations, the French share a mentality that they are supposed to work to live and not live to work. That is why working in France is hardly a rat race. Even labor laws support this idea. So if you are looking to live in a great place where you do not have to work your socks off to the point where you don’t have a balanced life before you can comfortably fend for yourself, then France should be a priority.

The country is purported to have a 35-hour workweek, but that can feel like a myth sometimes. However, always trust the French to be so adept in maintaining a proper work/life balance. One of the major reasons why shops and services close by 7 pm is to let employees enjoy dinner with their family. Also, the reward for overtime is double wages. What’s more, there is an hourly lunch that is often paid for by the employers as meal coupons to the closest brasserie.

In France, 30 days of paid vacations start to accumulate when you are hired. And they do not take vacations lightly as they spend all 30 days outside their workspace every year. With that said, I advise that you should not plan anything serious for August. Everyone might be on vacation then. In fact, there is a law that prevents people from checking work emails after 6 pm. The French are known to spend their free time outdoors- kayaking, hiking, etc.

Overwhelming Concentration of Art and Culture

The Louvre museum keeps a whopping 34,999 artworks with the world-famous Mona Lisa. The pieces include Egyptian antiques, several sculptures from Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, Islamic art, along with a large jewelry collection of the French nobility.

There is the d’Orsay museum with more than 2000 paintings from a later era. A sizeable collection of Impressionist: Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Realists, cubists, and post-impressionists’ works are there. On the other side of the Seine at the western corner of the dazzling Tuileries Gardens, perches the Musee l’Orangerie- a wide gallery that houses more Monet and Renoir paintings.

You can also spend hours checking out Musee Rodin gardeners and contemplate with the Thinker sculpture like the major hero of Midnight in Paris. Other cities and villages have numerous museums- about 169 national art museums are in the country, and a couple of hundreds are privately owned studios and galleries. If you are an art aficionado, you will be spoiled for choice in France.

>>Also Read: The Most Popular Exhibits At The Louvre

Affordable Higher Education

A bachelor’s degree in France can be as low as 181euros per year, and graduate studies can be as low as 250 euros in a year. As you would expect, engineering schools are a little more expensive with an annual tuition of 596 euros. To obtain a Ph.D. here could cost you at least 380 euros every year.

Meanwhile, private institutions like medical and law schools cost more but are still affordable, with prices ranging from 3,000 euros to 10,000 euros per year. Additionally, there are many scholarships available for foreign students to assist you in covering up for living expenses. Without spending much of your funds, you can have a great time in France as a student. You could be spending around 700-800 euros monthly, including everything. To secure admission into a French institution is not hard, except it’s a competitive field you intend to attend. Education in France is top-notch, and a degree there will give you quite an advantage in terms of competition.

>>Also Read: Most Famous Monuments In France

Delightful Wines 

Here is another reason to live in France. The wines are divine from excellent wine regions. The country’s wine history dates back to the 6th B.C. and if you are not exactly sure what France has given the world, think Champagne- all wines with bubbles coming from the area. Bordeaux and Burgundy are famous reds too, and the Loire Valley Alsace make incredible white wines. The Savoy province is another great place where fine whites are produced.

Corsican red and rose have a rare bouquet of taste, and Jura wines have been dubbed ‘the French Most Secret Wine’ as they are not too popular outside of France. As excellent as French wines are, you can get a bottle at a supermarket for as low as 3 euros.

Delicious Regional Dishes

Cuisine in France is well varied and is made up of traditional dishes that are native to different regions. If you are looking to live in Paris, you will not miss out on the regional dishes as some bistros and restaurants serve sweet-smelling Provencal dishes or rich Alsatian treats. When in Brittany, try out the buckwheat crêpes with any filling you want. Try Poulet Basquaise in the French Basque country; Pan Bagat sandwich in Nice is a banger; Soupe de Poisson à la Rouille is a must-try in Marseille.

When heading to the North-East, you can hardly miss having Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon in Burgundy; Raclette Franche-Comte and Coq au vin jaune and wrap it all up with a bite of Quiche Lorraine in Metz. One of the perks of living in France is the unmatched culinary experience that you will have at affordable prices.

Spousal Benefits Without Even Getting Married

The French National Assembly, in 1999, passed Pacte Civil de Solidarité that is also known as PACS. It is a contractual form of civil union for couples to arranging their joint life. PACS is great because it allows couples to pay joint taxes (reduced taxes), co-own property, have inheritance rights, and have children registered under father’s/mother’s or both names. Also, a foreign partner can get a residence permit after you secure PACS. It is a great way to test if the couple is ready for lifelong commitments. If not, it is easier to terminate PACS than to divorce.

Government is Helpful In Raising Kids

A sizeable number of pre-schooling and childcare services are completely covered by the government. For in-home childcare, there are special subsidies and also for having more than one child. Such benefits include different major discounts for transportation and more money to lower taxes.

Women are also encouraged to go on maternity leaves and receive their entire salary for 16 weeks. There is the option for fathers to take paternity leave too for up to 11 days with full salary. If you decide to adopt a child, the government will pay you.

Affordable and Efficient Healthcare 

Thanks to the French universal healthcare, you can get close to 70 % of your medical bills reimbursed. This system caters to both citizens and long-term residents. If you have a serious condition like AIDS or cancer, or a chronic mental illness, the government will cover the entire expenses.

To register for French healthcare, you will need to:

• Have lived in France for three months
• Show documents that may include your ID card, passport, and proof of long-term residence and income in the country
• Birth and marriage certificates, if you are registering your family as well

Is France a Good Country to Live? – Final Thoughts

Yes! France is a great place to live! And who then should live in France? Everyone! The country has a great quality of life, travel opportunities and good food, a truly democratic society, and a considerable strong economy. France has laws that protect minorities, and it puts everyone’s rights first. Without a doubt, moving to France will be the best decision you will yet take.