Regional differences in France

Paris (2.1 million in the city and 12 million in Île-de-France) is the administrative, financial and cultural capital, with the highest wages and rents (about 25 to 35 euros per square metre) and the best transport (metro and RER) and the largest communities (Maghrebi, African, Asian and European) and the most job opportunities, but is crowded and expensive.

• Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg, Lille, Montpellier, Grenoble and Rennes are second big cities at lower prices and a calmer life and good opportunities (tech, university, industry, aviation and pharmaceuticals).
• Marseille, Lyon, Lille and Paris have many Arab communities, mosques and halal shops.
• And small towns and villages are cheaper, calmer and more closely knit, but jobs and transport (and a lack of doctors, déserts médicaux) are fewer and you may need a car there.
• And the Côte d'Azur and Provence are touristic and expensive.
• Choose according to your work, family and budget, and visit the place.

French is the only official language, and is taught in all schools.

• And there are recognised regional languages: Breton in Bretagne, Alsatian and German in Alsace, Corsican in Corsica, Basque in the south-west, Catalan in Roussillon, Occitan in the south, and Flemish in the north, and they are taught in some schools and have festivals, and are not common in daily life.
• And rhythm and French accent differ between regions: the singing accent of the south (Midi), and the distinctive pronunciation in the north (Ch'ti), and Belgian and Swiss.
• And in cities you may hear Parisian slang and verlan expressions (syllable reversal) such as meuf (woman) and keum (man) and the language of suburban youth.
• And overseas Creole (créole) is a daily language.
• And understanding at first is harder than writing so do not be shy of Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?.
• And if they speak with a strong accent ask them to speak slowly.

Financial services, media, fashion, tech and administration are concentrated in Paris, and industry, aviation and high tech in Toulouse (Airbus), Lyon (pharmaceuticals and tech), Grenoble (electronics), Nantes (tech) and Bordeaux (wine and aviation), Marseille (ports and trade), Lille (trade and distribution) and Strasbourg (European institutions).

• Tourism dominates the south, west and mountains, and agriculture, wine and food industries the regions of the west, centre and south.
• Seasonal jobs (construction, hotels, agriculture and harvest) abound in tourist and agricultural areas.
• Health, care, education, transport, construction, delivery and cleaning need workers everywhere.
• Rent in Paris is double that of others: a room about 700 to 1000 euros and a small flat 1000 to 1500, against 350 to 600 for a room in other cities.
• And income varies by about a third between Paris and the rest of the country.
• Search for jobs via France Travail, APEC and Indeed by region.

The health system (social security) is one across France, but the distribution of doctors and hospitals is uneven: déserts médicaux in some countryside, the centre and the north-east (difficulty finding a doctor or specialist), while they abound in the big cities.

• Education and curricula are unified, and school quality varies by district (carte scolaire).
• Transport is excellent between big cities (TGV) and in Paris (metro and RER) and the big cities (metro and tram), and less in the countryside where the car is necessary and regional trains (TER) are few.
• And some regions grant transport and training aid.
• Administrations (préfecture, CAF and CPAM) are available in every département, but appointments vary and may be long in some places (crowded préfectures in Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis).
• For foreigners ask about migrant integration services.
• And Maisons France Services are widespread in the countryside for digital help.
• And pollution, climate and heat vary.
• And the big cities impose low-emission zones ZFE.

Each region has its cuisine: Alsace (choucroute, tarte flambée and beer), Provence (ratatouille, bouillabaisse and olive oil), Bretagne (crêpes, galettes and cider), Bourgogne (boeuf bourguignon and wine), Lyon (quenelles and meat foods), the south-west (cassoulet and foie gras), Normandie (cheese, camembert and apples), Corsica (charcuterie and cheese), Marseille (fish and North African cuisine).

• And Arab cuisine is widespread (couscous is among the favourite dishes in France).
• And overseas (Outre-mer) there is a Creole culture, foods, music and festivals, and a tropical climate and high prices and full French citizenship.
• When choosing think of: job opportunities, then housing and cost, then transport, then the community, mosque and halal shops, then schools and health, then climate.
• Visit the region before moving and speak to those living there, and do not fear moving later, since internal movement is free and easy, but the residence card is sometimes tied to the préfecture so inform of your change of address.

About how many regions in France?