Retire in France with Confidence
We help American retirees obtain the right visa, find housing, and navigate French healthcare, taxes, and banking, without the stress, guesswork, or costly mistakes.
- World-class healthcare for a fraction of the cost
- Your Social Security keeps paying, no interruption
- A visa path built for American retirees only
- We handle the paperwork so you can enjoy your retirement
Get Your Free Plan
30 seconds to start, no commitment
Why Americans Choose France
The lifestyle upgrade that comes with the paperwork we handle for you.
Lower-Cost Healthcare
Beautiful Climate
Excellent Food & Wine
Safe Communities
Easy Travel Across Europe
Rich Culture
Imagine Your New Life
- Wake up to fresh pastries.
- Spend afternoons in local cafes.
- Travel across Europe on a whim.
- Enjoy world-class healthcare.
- Live at a slower, richer pace.
France isn't just where you'll retire. It's where you'll truly begin living.
What Changes When You Retire in France Instead of Staying Put
Rising premiums, unpredictable medical bills, and a retirement budget that shrinks every year. Here is how the numbers most retirees actually compare.
Staying in the U.S.
Retiring in France
*Figures are directional planning estimates based on 2026 public sources and vary by age, region, and provider. We'll walk through numbers specific to your situation during your free consultation.
A Real Story From an American Retiree
Jeremy relocated from the U.S. and settled into life in Nice with CLIF's help from his very first call.
Excellent experience from start to finish with CLIF. I don't remember how I first discovered CLIF, but I'm so grateful I did. From the very first (free) consultation when I was still in the US until I was happily settled into my beautiful apartment in Nice, my agent at CLIF, Zainah, was superb. She guided me through the very complex processes of obtaining a long-stay visa, finding and renting an apartment, securing insurance, liaising with utility companies, and finally obtaining my French health insurance card (Carte Vitale). She was always, always available, even when traveling, and I would say that the average time it took Zainah to reply to a text was less than a minute. Last but not least, I felt that CLIF's fees were extremely fair. It was an excellent experience for me, and I can't recommend CLIF and Zainah (and Serge) highly enough.
You're in Experienced, Caring Hands
Our founders have personally relocated to France and lived every challenge you'll face, including the questions American retirees ask most.
Everything Handled, So You Can Focus on Retirement
Four things stand between you and your new life in France. We handle all of them.
Visa & Residency
We match your income to the right visa before you file anything.
Housing Assistance
From Riviera apartments to quiet countryside villages.
Healthcare Guidance
Know exactly how coverage works for you from day one.
Administrative Support
We handle the paperwork so you can enjoy retirement.
France Doesn't Have a "Retirement Visa," Here's What Retirees Use Instead
Most American retirees qualify through the long-stay visitor visa. No job offer, no French employer, no minimum investment required.
Confirm Your Income Qualifies
Social Security, pension income, IRA distributions, and investment income are all accepted.
Arrange Private Health Insurance
Required for your first year, before you're eligible for France's public healthcare system.
Secure Proof of Accommodation
A lease, a property deed, or a signed host letter. We help you get this right.
File, Validate, and Settle In
Apply, validate your visa after arrival, and you're legally living in France, renewable each year.
At a Glance
Figures are approximate 2026 planning benchmarks and vary by consulate and household size. We confirm the exact numbers for your file during your consultation.
Your Journey to Retirement in France
Five simple steps from your first call to your new life.
Find the Region That Fits Your Budget and Pace of Life
From Riviera sunshine to quiet university towns, these are the regions American retirees ask about most. Tap a region to see why retirees choose it.
Sunniest
Nice and the Riviera
300+ days of sunshine, mild winters
Higher, especially near the coast
CHU de Nice, strong private clinic network
Why American Retirees Choose Nice and the Riviera
- One of the largest English-speaking retiree and expat communities in France
- Mediterranean climate, similar to parts of California or Florida without the hurricanes
- International airport with direct flights to major U.S. and European cities
- Walkable seafront, markets, and a slower coastal pace of life
Best Value
Montpellier
Mediterranean, 300+ sunny days a year
Meaningfully lower than the Riviera or Paris
CHU de Montpellier, one of France's major teaching hospitals
Why American Retirees Choose Montpellier
- One of the best cost-to-lifestyle ratios in the sunny south of France
- Compact, walkable center with a modern tram network, so a car is often optional
- University city energy with cafes, markets, and an active outdoor culture
- Growing American and international retiree community
Coastal and Cultural
Marseille and Provence
Mediterranean, warm and dry summers
More affordable than the Riviera, with real coastal living
AP-HM, one of the largest hospital systems in France
Why American Retirees Choose Marseille and Provence
- Easy day trips to Provence's villages, vineyards, and lavender country
- A genuine working port city, less touristy and more affordable than Nice
- Strong rail and airport connections across southern France and Europe
- Diverse, lived-in neighborhoods rather than a resort-town feel
Most Connected
Paris
Four distinct seasons, mild by U.S. Northeast standards
The highest in France, offset by not needing a car
The country's largest concentration of top-tier hospitals
Why American Retirees Choose Paris
- World-class museums, theatre, and restaurants within walking distance
- The most direct flight options back to the U.S. of any French city
- Extensive metro and bus network, many retirees live comfortably without a car
- The deepest bench of English-speaking specialists and private clinics
Gastronomic Capital
Lyon
Continental, warm summers and crisp winters
Noticeably lower than Paris for comparable city living
Hospices Civils de Lyon, a leading hospital network
Why American Retirees Choose Lyon
- France's food capital, renowned markets, bouchons, and a UNESCO World Heritage old town
- High-speed rail puts Paris, the Alps, and the Mediterranean within a few hours
- Big-city amenities and healthcare without big-city prices
- A well-established, easy-to-navigate expat and international community
Affordable and Charming
Toulouse
Mild, sunny, with warm summers
One of the more affordable mid-size cities in France
CHU de Toulouse, a major regional hospital system
Why American Retirees Choose Toulouse
- Distinctive terracotta architecture and a relaxed, small-city feel
- Lower cost of living than most other cities on this list
- Close to both the Pyrenees mountains and the Mediterranean coast
- A large university population keeps the city lively year-round
Real Stories, Real Success
Watch how we've helped people from around the world make France their home, smoothly, legally, and confidently.
Jess's Story
Starting Fresh in Lyon
Mary's Experience
Building a Life in Nice
Saami's Adventure
New Beginnings in Bordeaux
Varsha's Journey
From India to Paris
What Americans Ask Us Most
Straight answers to the questions that come up in almost every first call.