Can you live in France without a car? Yes, but only if you choose the right city.
For expats moving to France, going car-free is absolutely possible and, in some places, genuinely easier than owning a car. The key is location. France works on a very clear divide: large cities and well-connected hubs are designed for life without a car, while rural areas are not.
Let’s focus on French cities without a car, where public transport, walkability and rail connections make daily life realistic, not restrictive, for expats.
Table of Contents
Can you live in France without a car?
Yes, it is possible to live in France without a car, but it depends heavily on:
- The size of the city
- The strength of public transport
- Whether you live inside the urban core, not the outskirts
In the right cities, daily life, work, school, shopping, healthcare, social life, can be done on foot, by bike, tram or metro. Long-distance travel is covered by France’s excellent rail network (TGV, TER, Intercités).
In the wrong places, a car becomes a daily necessity.
🔗 Go further with our article: Can you live in France without a car?
Top French cities where a car is truly optional
These cities combine metro or tram networks, walkable neighbourhoods and strong intercity rail, making them the safest choices for expats who want to live without a car.
Paris (and close suburbs)
Paris is the easiest place in France to live without a car, many residents never own one.
- Dense metro, RER, tram and bus network
- Excellent cycling infrastructure
- Strong expat community and job market
Trade-off: high housing costs and smaller living space
Close suburbs like Boulogne, Levallois or Montreuil also work well car-free if you stay near transport lines.
Lyon
Often considered the best all-rounder for expats.
- 4 metro lines, extensive tram and bus network
- Major TGV hub (Paris, Alps, Mediterranean)
- Strong schools, healthcare and employment
Trade-off: busier and more “urban” than Atlantic cities
Toulouse
A very liveable, car-optional city with a relaxed feel.
- Automated metro lines and growing tram system
- Relatively affordable housing
- Strong international presence (aerospace, tech)
Trade-off: less dense than Paris/Lyon, so location matters
Bordeaux
A favourite for expats who want beauty and walkability.
- Excellent tram network and pedestrianised centre
- Easy rail access to Paris and the Atlantic coast
- Very bike-friendly riverfront
Trade-off: rising housing pressure and seasonal tourism
Nice
One of the few Mediterranean cities where a car isn’t essential.
- Modern tram lines and coastal rail
- Mild climate and strong local buses
- Easy access along the Riviera without driving
Trade-off: higher prices and heavy tourist seasons
Mid-sized French cities that work very well without a car
These cities are often ideal for retirees, remote workers and families who want balance.
Nantes
- Pioneering tram network
- Flat, compact centre perfect for cycling
- Lower costs than Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux
Strasbourg
- One of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities
- Large tram network and strong rail links
- Popular with EU-institution expats
Montpellier
- Fast-growing tram system
- Sunny climate and lively student population
- Very workable without a car if you live centrally
Rennes
- Two automatic metro lines (rare for its size)
- Strong cycling culture
- Moderate housing costs for a regional capital
Grenoble
- France’s top cycling city
- Tram network + dense bike lanes
- Mountains accessible by train or car-share
Other strong car-free options
- Lille – metro, tram, and fast rail to Paris, Brussels and London
- Avignon (centre) – walkable historic core + TGV
- Aix-en-Provence (centre) – compact, elegant, rail-connected
A useful rule of thumb
In reality, most cities in France are workable without a car, even beyond the big names listed here. France has a dense public transport culture, and almost all cities, even smaller ones, have local bus networks that cover daily needs when there’s no metro, tram or train.
Where a car becomes truly necessary is not “outside Paris”, but outside cities altogether. In the countryside and rural France, public transport is often infrequent or nonexistent, making a car essential for shopping, healthcare and daily life.
The rule here is simple:
👉 Cities = usually fine without a car
👉 Rural France = a car is necessary
And within cities, the golden rule still applies: live in or right next to the historic centre, not the suburbs.
Pros and cons of living in France without a car
Pros
- Lower annual costs (car ownership often 5,000–6,000 €/year)
- Less admin (insurance, registration, parking)
- Healthier, more social daily life
Cons
- Limits your housing choices
- Requires planning for large shops and rural trips
- Much harder outside cities
Many expats choose a hybrid model: no car day-to-day, plus occasional car-sharing (Getaround, Citiz, BlaBlaCar) for weekends or holidays.
FAQ: Living in France without a car
Is it possible to live in France without a car?
Yes, in large cities and well-connected mid-sized cities.
Where to live in France without a car?
Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Montpellier, Rennes and Grenoble are the safest bets. In reality, most cities in France are workable without a car, even beyond the big names listed here. France has a dense public transport culture, and almost all cities, even smaller ones, have local bus networks that cover daily needs when there’s no metro, tram or train.
Is rural France possible without a car?
Realistically, no, unless you live directly next to a rail station and are very flexible.
Is public transport reliable?
In cities, yes. In small towns and villages, it’s often limited or infrequent.
Final notes
You can live in France without a car, but success depends almost entirely on choosing the right city and neighbourhood. For expats, big metro hubs and rail-connected mid-sized cities offer freedom, lower costs and a smoother transition, while rural “dream villages” usually require a car.
If you want to go car-free in France, choose the city first, not the scenery.
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