For many Americans, moving to France is a favorite fantasy—but figuring out the logistics of such a move can be very complicated. Just figuring out where in France to put down roots poses a number of considerations, one of which is how easy it will be to get by if your French is still somewhat rusty. Of course, learning the local language is the ultimate goal, but it may be comforting to know that you’re moving to a city where you can access English-speaking doctors, accountants, real estate agents, and other services.
So, which regions in France have the highest number of English speakers? Well, we can break it down into two different brackets to get a good idea. First, we can look to INSEE, a French government agency that provides statistics on the French population, among other things. The agency has released detailed breakdowns on the number of immigrants living in each region of France, as of 2021. I went through and added up the numbers of American, British, and Canadian immigrants per region, also keeping the total regional population in mind, to see where in France you might find a higher population of immigrants who are native English speakers. (Note: Numbers of immigrants from Oceania were also available, but small enough not to be statistically relevant. Other immigrant groups not factored in may also have high levels of English proficiency.)
You might be surprised to learn that the French region with the highest number of immigrants from English-speaking countries is Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with a combined population of British, American, and Canadian immigrants totaling 41,563. The region also has the highest percentage of English-speaking immigrants compared to its total population, at 0.68%. Most of these are British immigrants over the age of 55, which would imply that there are more people retiring in this region or buying second homes than coming for school or work.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, which covers most of southwest France, is actually the largest French region (by size, not population), and includes the city of Bordeaux, as well as the popular beach town of Biarritz. It is also interesting that this should be the French region with the highest number of English-speaking immigrants considering that Nouvelle-Aquitaine was once part of England! The birthplace of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the region became part of England with the duchess’s marriage to Henry II, King of England. It would remain under British rule between the 12th and 15th centuries. Today, the region holds the greatest number of British expats—a whopping 38,814—in all of France.
Coming in second in terms of English-speaking expats is the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris, and is the most populous region in France. Their British, American, and Canadian numbers total 34,539, or about 0.28% of the total population. While most of the rest of the country has a significantly higher number of Brits than Americans, in the Île-de-France these numbers are almost at parity, with 14,015 Americans and 16,068 British immigrants, making it the region with the greatest number of American immigrants. It also has the greatest number of Canadians, at 4,456.
After the Île-de-France comes Occitanie, with 27,118 English-speaking immigrants, which make up 0.45% of the region’s total population. Occitanie, which touches both the Spanish border and the Mediterranean Sea, is home to the cities of Toulouse and Montpellier, whose numerous universities draw a diverse international crowd. Other significant populations of British, American, and Canadian immigrants can be found in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (18,417), which borders Switzerland and contains the city of Lyon, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (14,011), home to popular French Riviera cities like Nice, Cannes, and Marseille.
Do People in France Speak English? Depends Where You Are
What INSEE doesn’t provide data on is how many French people in a given region speak English. Luckily, EF Education First, the global language education company, ranks countries, regions, and even individual cities according to the English Proficiency Index. EF drew data for their most recent EPI from 2,100,000 people worldwide who took the company’s English placement test in 2023. Though test takers skew young (with a median age of 26 for women and 27 for men), this index is one of the most comprehensive that we have access to today.
According to EF, the Île-de-France region scores the highest in English proficiency, followed by the Pays de la Loire, Bretagne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Hauts-de-France. Grenoble, which is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, has the highest English proficiency score of any city in France. Unsurprisingly, Paris comes in second, followed by Brest (Bretagne), Lille (Hauts-de-France), and Aix-en-Provence (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur).
While most French regions have “Moderate” EPI scores, and several French cities have “High” scores, Grenoble is the only place in France to earn a “Very High” score of 612, putting it in the same category as famously English language-friendly places like Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Berlin. This can be attributed to its status as a scientific and educational hub, which draws students and researchers from all over the world.
The Best Places to Live in France for Expats
Based on all of this information, there are a number of French cities worth considering if you’re thinking about moving to France. Clearly, there’s a reason why many expats choose to live in Paris, since the French capital is world-renowned for its rich cultural offerings and big city energy. It’s also easier to get to from the U.S. than many other French cities, which require train transfers from Paris to access.
However, if you’re looking to settle somewhere with a slower pace of life, there are other excellent options. Those looking to find their expat community in a cosmopolitan city on a smaller scale (particularly retirees with a bit of money on hand) might look to Bordeaux, famed for its fantastic wines and beautiful architecture. If you’re looking for great weather and a younger, more diverse population, consider Montpellier, Toulouse, or Aix-en-Provence. And if an international city surrounded by pristine natural Alpine landscapes sounds appealing, Grenoble might be the city for you.
No matter where you end up, moving to France is one of the greatest adventures a Francophile can embark on. It has a little something for everyone, and you’re sure to find your community, whether that’s a local organization of fellow Americans, a study group of international classmates, or a weekly apéro with your new French neighbors.
Catherine Rickman is a writer, professional Francophile, and host of the Expat Horror Stories podcast. She is currently somewhere in Brooklyn with a fork in one hand and a pen in the other, and you can follow her adventures on Instagram @catrickman.
