Blog
The Most Popular French Cities to Move to
France is still one of the most popular countries for people to move to, with more than 150,000 UK-born people choosing to make their home across the Channel.
Hamiltons Removals organises international removals to all destinations in France for domestic and commercial customers and, in partnership with property specialists Cle France, we offer a weekly moving service. Here is our guide to five of the most popular French cities to move to.
Lyon
According to recent surveys, this city in central Eastern France even outranks Paris for the overall quality of life. In a recent PwC Global survey Lyon scored highly for its general standard of living, healthcare and the strength of the economy.
The third largest French city is famous for its cuisine, with top regional dishes including coq au vin (chicken braised with wine) and salade Lyonnaise (lettuce with croutons, bacon and a poached egg). Two of France’s most famous wine-growing regions are close to the city; the Côtes du Rhône region to the south of the city, and the Beaujolais to the north.
Toulouse
Toulouse has often been named the most popular place to live in France by the French themselves. Its nickname is La Ville Rose – the pink city – because a large number of buildings have bricks and roofs in that colour. The quality of education provision is excellent, making it a particularly popular choice for families.
Its location in the south-west of France, close to the Spanish border, means the city benefits from warm Mediterranean summers and mild winters. Many locals enjoy strolling along the banks of the Garonne River and the Canal du Midi, both of which run through the city.
Marseille
The second largest city in France, on the country’s south coast, also enjoys warm, Mediterranean-type summers and is officially France’s warmest city. The combination of climate and location means it is the perfect place for a spot of sunbathing or water sports, and there are plenty of beaches to choose from.
There are a number of thriving expat communities in the city; many people move to Marseille to work either at the port or for one of the many multinational companies which are based here. The city was designated a European Capital of Culture in 2013, which acted as a catalyst for a host of regeneration projects.
Paris
The country’s capital remains one of the most popular places in France to move to. It ranks just above Lyon in the 2017 Mercer Quality of Living survey, coming in 37th out of more than 200 cities.
While the cost of accommodation can be high, the city can boast world-famous tourist attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Art Gallery and the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is also easy to get there, thanks to the Channel Tunnel and three airports.
Bordeaux
The city, like Toulouse, is in the south-west of the country and lies on the banks of the Garonne River. It is best known for its wine, and the warm climate helps produce the world-famous grapes as well as attracting a lot of expats.
However Bordeaux can also boast a wealth of historic buildings, museums and art galleries and in the recent PwC survey it scored highest among the French for its overall quality of life. The quality of its urban infrastructure and environment helped it secure the top spot.
Hamiltons Removals can organise international removals to all the major towns and cities in France, including Paris, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille and Lyon. Follow the link above if you would like to receive a detailed quote for your move.
We can offer three types of moving packages for domestic and commercial customers. Our dedicated service gives you exclusive use of one of our vehicles. If you want to specify collection and delivery dates then you can opt for our special service. Our part load/groupage service means you will share a vehicle with other customers. Our friendly, experienced staff will be able to put together a package which will be tailored to meet your individual needs.
Unusual May Day Traditions Across the World
In the UK, May Day is commonly associated with Morris dancing and maypoles. However there are many other weird and wonderful ways of marking a day which is usually linked to the arrival of spring.
As experienced organisers of commercial and domestic removals to Europe, Hamiltons Removals are extremely knowledgeable about the unusual customs and practices across the continent and worldwide. Here are five countries who have unusual May 1 traditions.
Germany
In Germany, the celebrations begin the night before on what is known as Walpurgisnacht, or Witches’ Night. Residents dance around a large bonfire to ward off evil spirits, and this usually goes on until the following day. April 30 was originally believed to be the day that the country’s witches met Satan in the country’s Harz Mountains.
On May 1 itself, Germans often put up a Maibaum or May tree. This is often accompanied by parades, brass band music and plenty of food and drink. The tree is often stripped back to the trunk and decorated with flowers, colourful ribbons and woodcarvings. It pays to keep an eye on it, as it may be stolen by a neighbouring parish and a ransom, usually in the form of beer, must be paid to get it back.
Sweden
The Swedes also mark Walpurgisnacht, although here it is called Valborg. Bonfires are lit, but choral singing rather than dancing is the order of the day. Traditional songs are sung to herald the arrival of spring. On May 1, there are a number of parades throughout the streets, although these are more to honour International Workers’ Day.
Greece
The Greeks also use May 1 to celebrate the arrival of spring. Flower festivals are common in many cities and towns, while many people decorate their home with a wreath, traditionally with wild flowers on a background of green leaves. The wreath is then hung over the front door or a balcony until Midsummer Night, when it is ceremonially burned in a bonfire to make the St John’s Eve festival.
Another unusual tradition is for children to rise early on May Day to search for the first swallow of spring. Once the right sort of bird is found, the youngsters go from door to door, singing spring songs, and are rewarded with cakes, fruit and nuts.
Bulgaria
Bonfires also form an integral part of May Day commemorations in Bulgaria, where the occasion is called Irminden, and they are lit to scare off snakes and lizards. Bulgarian tradition says that that snakes come out during the festival of the Annunciation from March 25 onwards, followed by their ‘King’ on May 1. If you work in the fields on that day, legend says you will be bitten by a snake during the summer. To avoid this, people light bonfires, and make lots of noise or jump over the flames, to scare the unwanted visitors away.
The USA
Although May Day celebrations have not really caught on throughout North America, in some areas people make May baskets as an expression of love. These are filled with gifts or flowers, and then the admirer leaves in on a front step, rings the doorbell and runs away. If the receiver spots the giver, tradition dictates that they give chase and try to steal a kiss from the basket-maker.
Hamiltons Removals offer removals services to Europe, including to Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands. Our international removals department can help you with commercial and domestic moves to the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many other worldwide destinations. Follow the link above if you would like to receive a quote.