Discover the Regions of Southern France
Choosing where to live in Southern France is about far more than finding a beautiful place. It is about finding the region that fits the life you want to build.
From the Mediterranean lifestyle of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur to the historic cities and varied landscapes of Occitanie and the vineyards, Atlantic coast and countryside of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, each region offers a very different experience of life in France.
Explore the three regions, compare their character, lifestyle and practical advantages, and begin discovering where your own life in France could take shape.
Occitanie
Why Occitanie Captures Hearts
Stretching from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean, Occitanie offers an unusually varied choice of lifestyles. Dynamic cities, historic towns, vineyards, mountains, coastline and deeply rural landscapes all coexist within the same region.
For those considering living in Occitanie, that diversity is its greatest strength. The right location can offer international connections and professional opportunities, Mediterranean living, wine country, village life — or a combination of several.
Occitanie at a Glance
Population: approximately 6.2 million
Major cities: Toulouse and Montpellier
Also worth exploring: Cahors, Carcassonne, Perpignan and the surrounding countryside
Landscapes: Mediterranean coast, Pyrenees, vineyards, valleys and rural France
Particularly appealing for: city life, retirement, remote working, countryside living and access to nature
Where You Might Live
Toulouse combines a beautiful historic centre with one of Europe’s most important aerospace and technology ecosystems. Its universities, international population, cultural life and transport connections make it particularly attractive for those who want the advantages of a major city without choosing Paris.
Montpellier offers a younger, distinctly Mediterranean alternative, with a lively historic centre, strong university culture and easy access to the coast. It can suit those looking for an urban lifestyle with the sea and outdoor living close at hand.
Cahors and rural Occitanie offer something very different: smaller communities, vineyards, markets, heritage and considerably more space. Carcassonne and Perpignan add further possibilities for those drawn to history, Mediterranean influences or proximity to Spain.
Could Occitanie Be Right for Your Life in France?
Choosing a region is about much more than scenery. Access to healthcare, transport, property, daily services, community and the way you actually want to live all matter.
Haven in France helps you look beyond the postcard and identify the places that genuinely fit your priorities before important decisions are made.
Explore Your France Project
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA)
Why PACA Captures Hearts
From Provence and the Luberon to the Côte d’Azur and the Alps, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur offers some of France’s most distinctive landscapes and lifestyles.
The region combines Mediterranean living, internationally connected cities, historic towns and mountain communities — but the experience of living here can vary enormously from one area to another.
PACA at a Glance
Population: approximately 5.4 million
Major cities: Marseille, Nice and Aix-en-Provence
Also worth exploring: Avignon, Antibes, Cannes, Toulon and inland Provence
Landscapes: Mediterranean coast, Provençal countryside and the Alps
Particularly appealing for: coastal living, second homes, international connectivity and an outdoor lifestyle
Where You Might Live
Aix-en-Provence offers an elegant smaller-city lifestyle, with a historic centre, strong cultural life and easy access to both Marseille and the Provençal countryside.
Nice and the Côte d’Azur combine Mediterranean living with excellent international connections. Nice offers the services of a major city, while towns such as Antibes and Cannes provide different versions of Riviera life.
Marseille is larger, more energetic and more urban, with a strong cultural identity and direct access to the Mediterranean.
Inland Provence offers another experience entirely: smaller towns, villages, vineyards and landscapes associated with the traditional Provençal way of life.
Could PACA Be Right for Your Life in France?
PACA can offer an exceptional quality of life, but location matters. Property costs, seasonal tourism, transport, healthcare access and the difference between coastal and inland living can significantly shape the experience.
Haven in France helps you identify which part of the region genuinely fits your priorities before important decisions are made.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Why Nouvelle-Aquitaine Captures Hearts
From Bordeaux and its vineyards to the Atlantic coast, the Dordogne, the Charente and the Basque Country, Nouvelle-Aquitaine offers an extraordinary variety of places to build a life in France.
It is particularly appealing to those looking for more space, historic towns, countryside and strong connections to nature, while still having access to dynamic cities and international transport.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine at a Glance
France’s largest administrative region by area
Major city: Bordeaux
Also worth exploring: La Rochelle, Bayonne, Biarritz, Pau, Bergerac, Angoulême, Limoges and Poitiers
Landscapes: Atlantic coast, vineyards, forests, river valleys and extensive countryside
Particularly appealing for: retirement, countryside living, wine regions, coastal life, second homes and more space
Where You Might Live
Bordeaux offers the strongest urban and international connections in the region, with culture, restaurants, healthcare, transport and easy access to some of France’s best-known wine areas and the Atlantic coast.
The Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne and rural southwest offer a very different pace of life, with historic villages, markets, stone houses and considerably more space. These areas can be especially attractive to those seeking a quieter life in France.
La Rochelle and the Atlantic coast offer coastal living with lively towns and strong quality of life, while Bayonne, Biarritz and the Basque Country combine ocean access, distinctive local culture and proximity to Spain.
The Charente and surrounding countryside provide another alternative for those looking for traditional French towns, accessible property and rural surroundings while remaining connected to Bordeaux and the Atlantic region.
Could Nouvelle-Aquitaine Be Right for Your Life in France?
The region offers enormous choice, but distances, transport, healthcare access and the level of rurality can vary considerably from one location to another.
Haven in France helps you compare these practical realities with your lifestyle, property and long-term priorities so that the place you choose works not only on holiday, but in everyday life.
Which Part of Southern France Could Suit You?
Occitanie may appeal if you want variety: dynamic cities, Mediterranean access, vineyards, mountains and extensive countryside.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur may suit you if Mediterranean living, international connections and access to sophisticated coastal or Provençal communities are priorities.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine offers exceptional diversity for those drawn to Bordeaux, wine country, the Atlantic coast, historic towns or a more spacious rural lifestyle.
There is no universally “best” region. The right choice depends on how you want to live, what you need around you and what will matter five or ten years after the move.
Haven in France helps you compare those realities and identify the places that genuinely fit your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
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There is no single best region. The right choice depends on your lifestyle, property plans, budget, access to healthcare and transport, and whether you prefer city, coast, countryside or a smaller community.
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That depends on how certain you are about your location and long-term plans. For some clients, renting first provides valuable time to experience everyday life before making a major property commitment.
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Look beyond the property itself. Healthcare, shops, transport, internet access, airports or rail connections, property maintenance and year-round community can all make a significant difference to everyday life.
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No. Haven in France supports clients throughout France. We have particularly strong knowledge and networks in Southern and South-Western France, while our wider professional network allows us to coordinate relocation, property and life-setup projects nationwide.