Thinking about moving to France but not sure where to settle? From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the countryside of the Dordogne, France offers plenty of options for British people looking for a change of pace.
Of course, choosing where to live is only part of the process. Different regions come with different practical considerations, particularly when it comes to transporting furniture, accessing rural properties and arranging delivery dates.
At Anglo French Removals, we've spent over 30 years helping customers relocate between the UK and France. Here are seven locations worth considering, along with some useful advice for planning your move.
Located in western France, Charente is popular with people looking for countryside living, traditional stone houses and a slower pace of life.
The area includes Angoulême, Cognac and numerous smaller villages, with a mix of rural properties and more established towns.
Charente is particularly appealing if you're looking for:
Planning removals to Charente? One thing worth considering is access to your new property. Some rural homes are reached by narrow lanes or have limited space for larger vehicles. We check these details when planning your removal so we can establish the most practical delivery arrangements before moving day.
Dordogne has long been a favourite among British people moving to France.
Known for its historic villages, beautiful countryside and traditional stone properties, the region offers a combination of rural living and established international communities.
Popular locations include Bergerac, Sarlat-la-Canéda and Périgueux.
Many people moving here are looking for a permanent lifestyle change, whether that's retirement, remote working or renovating an older French property.
When arranging removals to Dordogne, it's worth thinking carefully about your moving timeline. If you're purchasing a property that needs renovation, you may not want all your furniture delivered immediately.
At Anglo French, we can arrange secure storage as part of your relocation, allowing you to receive your belongings when the property is ready rather than paying for unnecessary storage or trying to work around ongoing building work.
Bordeaux offers a different lifestyle from France's quieter countryside regions.
The city is known for its architecture, restaurants, wine industry, food scene and transport connections. It's also within reach of the Atlantic coast, making it attractive to people who want a balance between city life and outdoor activities.
Bordeaux may suit people looking for:
For customers arranging removals to Bordeaux, access and parking are important considerations, particularly in central neighbourhoods and apartment buildings.
We'll ask about your delivery address, floor level and lift access before arranging transport, helping us identify whether any additional equipment or planning is required.
Limousin, now part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine administrative region, is known for its green countryside, lakes and traditional villages.
The historic region includes Haute-Vienne, Creuse and Corrèze, with Limoges as its largest city.
For people moving from the UK, Limousin can be particularly attractive if the priority is outdoor space, rural surroundings and a quieter lifestyle.
However, moving into a rural property can involve additional logistical considerations.
When planning removals to Limousin, we recommend checking vehicle access, driveway conditions and whether the property has enough space for unloading. It's also worth confirming when you'll have access to the property, particularly if you're coordinating a purchase and an international removal.
These are all details we discuss before scheduling a move.
If you're drawn to southern France but prefer city living, Montpellier is a great spot.
Located in Occitanie, Montpellier offers a Mediterranean climate, historic architecture, a large student population and access to beaches along the southern coast.
It's a popular option for people looking for an active city lifestyle without relocating to Paris or another much larger European capital.
For removals to Montpellier, it's worth considering the type of property you're moving into. Apartments in historic buildings may have narrow staircases, restricted access or no lift.
Providing these details in advance helps us plan the appropriate vehicle and unloading arrangements, avoiding unexpected complications when your belongings arrive.
Narbonne is another attractive option for people considering a move to southern France.
Located close to the Mediterranean coast, the town offers historic streets, markets and access to beaches, vineyards and surrounding countryside.
It's also part of the historic Languedoc area, which includes destinations such as Béziers, Carcassonne and Nîmes.
The wider region appeals to people who want a Mediterranean lifestyle but don't necessarily want to live in one of France's largest cities.
When arranging removals to Narbonne or Languedoc, we look at the precise destination rather than simply the nearest major town. A property in central Narbonne may require a different delivery approach from a farmhouse outside Carcassonne.
Because we specialise in UK–France removals, we can discuss these practical details early and recommend the most suitable transport arrangements for your move.
Angers, in the Loire Valley area of western France, is an appealing choice for people looking for a smaller city with plenty of character.
Known for its medieval castle, parks and historic architecture, Angers offers a combination of city amenities and access to the surrounding countryside.
It's also well connected by rail, including services towards Paris, making it worth considering for people who expect to travel regularly.
If you're planning removals to Angers, think about how your property location affects delivery. Moving into a city-centre apartment is very different from moving into a detached property outside the city.
We'll discuss access, parking, the volume of belongings and your preferred dates before recommending the most practical removal plan.
Beyond the lifestyle and property itself, there are several practical questions worth asking before committing to a location.
Rural lanes, steep driveways, narrow streets and apartment staircases can all affect delivery arrangements.
If you're renovating or waiting for completion, you may need short-term storage rather than immediate delivery.
This affects the customs paperwork and potential import duties and VAT. Permanent relocations may qualify for customs relief, whereas second-home moves are treated differently.
A smaller move may be suitable for a part-load service, while a full household relocation may benefit from dedicated transport.
Working through these questions early can make your move considerably easier to organise.
Whether you're relocating to Bordeaux, Charente, Dordogne, Montpellier or a smaller village elsewhere in France, getting your belongings there requires careful planning.
At Anglo French, we specialise exclusively in removals between the UK and France, with over 30 years of experience and teams and facilities on both sides of the Channel.
Our services include professional packing, collection, transport, customs preparation and delivery to your new home. We also offer customs pre-clearance and bilingual support, helping customers navigate the additional requirements involved in moving household goods between the two countries.
If your property isn't ready for delivery, we can arrange secure storage and plan the final stage of your move around your schedule.
Considering a move to France? Contact Anglo French Removals to discuss your destination, moving dates and requirements. We'll help you plan a practical, cost-effective move from the UK to your new home in France.
Yes. We arrange removals to towns, cities and rural properties across France. We'll ask about access to your destination property before planning transport, particularly where narrow roads or restricted parking could affect delivery.
A part-load service can be more economical for smaller moves because your belongings share vehicle space with other consignments. The best option depends on the volume of goods, destination and flexibility of your moving dates.
Yes. We offer storage as part of our UK–France removals service, which can be particularly useful if you're renovating a property, moving in stages or waiting for your new home to become available.
Yes. Since Brexit, household goods moving from the UK to France are subject to customs formalities. The paperwork and potential charges depend on whether you're permanently relocating, furnishing a second home or moving belongings under other circumstances. We help customers prepare the required documentation before transport.
Dear Mark and Stephanie,
I would like to let you know what an excellent job Rob and Jake did this afternoon. It was not an easy place to which to get their lorry and they had to carry things down to the front gate. But nothing phased them and they remained cheerful and professional. I will unhesitatingly recommend your firm to anyone needing transport to or from the UK.
With many thanks for your help.
Rosemary Barrow, Essex
Dear Mark
I am writing to say thank you so much for the smooth moving process. From beginning to end you could not have done better. I'd like to put in a complimentary word for the three guys who you sent to load and unload. Service without servility is always the perfect combination. They were all extremely convivial whilst getting on at the same time, meticulously careful with the items being transported and cheery without being "goonish".
Your original quote was handled most efficiently by Jasmine from initlal enquiry through to date setting, payment etc and the quote itself was highly competitive. Your own communication skills were faultless and I felt like I knew exactly what was going on at any one time.
I, quite frankly, cannot fault the service provided, you could not have done better and I am very happy with the price too.
Well done to all the team!
Best wishes for all your future projects.
Di Miller, Kent
Dear Anglo French Team,
Many thanks to all of you form me and my family which thanks to Nuno and Co are nicely settling in France and despite the stress related to moving a household with young kids, an office and a mother of a lathe it was all made that little bit easier due to you. Many thanks again!
I wish you and the people around you a joyous and lovely Christmas break and all the best for the year ahead of us!
Nikolay, London
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