#1Meslay-du-Maine
Mayenne · 2,779 peopleScore 84.9·#1 of 16 in Mayenne
Strongest: schools A+, safety A+·lowest: jobs & income B
Meslay-du-Maine, #1 on this list · Photo: Yzergues (CC BY-SA 4.0)France · 2026
Best places to live in France
Meslay-du-Maine, Mayenne, ranks first of 3,798 towns of 2,500 or more in France. All 100 here grade A+, the top 5% of French towns; their scores run from 84.9 down to 73.7. Ille-et-Vilaine has the most of them (8), and 37 départements have at least one.
The overall score, sorted across France; the letter and the département rank sit beside it. How grades work
#1A+
#2Montastruc-la-Conseillère
Haute-Garonne · 3,708 peopleScore 84.6·#1 of 85 in Haute-Garonne
Strongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: cost of living B+
#3Baraqueville
Aveyron · 3,173 peopleScore 84.1·#1 of 14 in Aveyron
Strongest: safety A+, health A+·lowest: walkability C+
The top 100
Of 3,798 graded towns of 2,500 or more. Each département rank links to that département’s full list. The score (0–100) blends the six graded subjects and sets the order; the letter places that score among French towns of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter.
100 towns on this page. Every ranked town is on its département’s list.
#TownScoreGrade · département rankWhat drives it
1Meslay-du-MaineMayenne · 2,779 people84.9top 0.1%A+#1 of 16Strongest: schools A+, safety A+·lowest: jobs & income B
2Montastruc-la-ConseillèreHaute-Garonne · 3,708 people84.6top 0.1%A+#1 of 85Strongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: cost of living B+
3BaraquevilleAveyron · 3,173 people84.1top 0.1%A+#1 of 14Strongest: safety A+, health A+·lowest: walkability C+
4La Roche-BlanchePuy-de-Dôme · 3,311 people83.1top 0.1%A+#1 of 38Strongest: jobs & income A+, safety A·lowest: walkability C+
5Mauléon-LicharrePyrénées-Atlantiques · 2,972 people82.7top 0.1%A+#1 of 35Strongest: safety A+, cost of living A·lowest: jobs & income B
6EspalionAveyron · 4,605 people82.6top 0.1%A+#2 of 14Strongest: safety A+, cost of living A·lowest: health B
7CharquemontDoubs · 2,900 people82.6top 0.2%A+#1 of 28Strongest: safety A+, schools A·lowest: walkability B−
8GivrySaône-et-Loire · 3,598 people82.5top 0.2%A+#1 of 29Strongest: schools A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living B−
9Vals-près-le-PuyHaute-Loire · 3,395 people82.4top 0.2%A+#1 of 15Strongest: walkability A, safety A·lowest: cost of living A−
10ÉchiréDeux-Sèvres · 3,549 people81.4top 0.2%A+#1 of 21Strongest: jobs & income A+, safety A·lowest: walkability C−
11Bourbon-LancySaône-et-Loire · 4,674 people81.3top 0.3%A+#2 of 29Strongest: schools A+, cost of living A+·lowest: jobs & income B−
12PélussinLoire · 3,727 people81.2top 0.3%A+#1 of 48Strongest: safety A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability B+
13Bellevigne-en-LayonMaine-et-Loire · 5,922 people81.1top 0.3%A+#1 of 52Strongest: safety A+, schools A·lowest: walkability C
14Saint-Didier-en-VelayHaute-Loire · 3,523 people81.0top 0.3%A+#2 of 15Strongest: safety A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability B−
15La BazogeSarthe · 3,796 people80.5top 0.4%A+#1 of 31Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C+
16Sainte-FeyreCreuse · 2,566 people80.5top 0.4%A+Strongest: safety A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
17SierentzHaut-Rhin · 4,409 people80.5top 0.4%A+#1 of 45Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: safety B
18La Suze-sur-SartheSarthe · 4,693 people79.9top 0.4%A+#2 of 31Strongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: walkability B
19Chazelles-sur-LyonLoire · 5,543 people79.9top 0.5%A+#2 of 48Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: jobs & income B
20Beaupréau-en-MaugesMaine-et-Loire · 23,989 people79.2top 0.5%A+#2 of 52Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: walkability C+
21Condé-sur-VireManche · 4,137 people78.8top 0.5%A+#1 of 27Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C−
22Druelle BalsacAveyron · 3,187 people78.8top 0.6%A+#3 of 14Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability D
23La Guerche-de-BretagneIlle-et-Vilaine · 4,554 people78.7top 0.6%A+#1 of 75Strongest: schools A+, walkability A·lowest: jobs & income B+
24Mauges-sur-LoireMaine-et-Loire · 18,695 people78.7top 0.6%A+#3 of 52Strongest: schools A, health A·lowest: walkability B−
25Azay-sur-CherIndre-et-Loire · 3,243 people78.6top 0.6%A+#1 of 37Strongest: health A, safety A·lowest: walkability C+
26AblisYvelines · 3,913 people78.6top 0.7%A+#1 of 91Strongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living B−
27ArboisJura · 3,114 people78.6top 0.7%A+#1 of 11Strongest: schools A+, walkability A·lowest: health C+
28Parigné-l'ÉvêqueSarthe · 5,358 people78.5top 0.7%A+#3 of 31Strongest: schools A, safety A·lowest: walkability C−
29HilsenheimBas-Rhin · 2,604 people78.4top 0.7%A+#1 of 62Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: health B+
30HésingueHaut-Rhin · 2,972 people78.3top 0.8%A+#2 of 45Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: health B
31VerfeilHaute-Garonne · 3,954 people78.2top 0.8%A+#2 of 85Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C+
32Moncoutant-sur-SèvreDeux-Sèvres · 5,121 people78.1top 0.8%A+#2 of 21Strongest: cost of living A, schools A·lowest: walkability C+
33ErnéeMayenne · 5,499 people78.0top 0.8%A+#2 of 16Strongest: schools A+, cost of living A·lowest: safety B−
34Noyen-sur-SartheSarthe · 2,556 people77.5top 0.9%A+#4 of 31Strongest: health A+, cost of living A·lowest: jobs & income B−
35Cugand-la-BernardièreVendée · 5,711 people77.5top 0.9%A+#1 of 46Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living B−
36Tinchebray-BocageOrne · 4,813 people77.5top 0.9%A+#1 of 19Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A+·lowest: jobs & income C
37Saint-Aubin-d'AubignéIlle-et-Vilaine · 4,304 people77.3top 0.9%A+#2 of 75Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living B−
38MauléonDeux-Sèvres · 8,573 people77.3top 1.0%A+#3 of 21Strongest: safety A, schools A·lowest: walkability C
39FeillensAin · 3,411 people77.3top 1.0%A+#1 of 53Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C+
40LouvernéMayenne · 4,344 people77.2top 1.0%A+#3 of 16Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: walkability B−
41Plateau d'HautevilleAin · 4,857 people77.2top 1.1%A+#2 of 53Strongest: safety A+, health A−·lowest: walkability B
42Bonchamp-lès-LavalMayenne · 6,302 people77.1top 1.1%A+#4 of 16Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability B−
43Luc-la-PrimaubeAveyron · 6,046 people77.0top 1.1%A+#4 of 14Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability B−
45La MézièreIlle-et-Vilaine · 5,033 people76.7top 1.2%A+#3 of 75Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C+
46La CrècheDeux-Sèvres · 5,662 people76.6top 1.2%A+#4 of 21Strongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: walkability D
47Saint-Chély-d'ApcherLozère · 3,955 people76.6top 1.2%A+Strongest: schools A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety B+
48Grand-ChampMorbihan · 5,929 people76.6top 1.2%A+#1 of 54Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability C
49RosheimBas-Rhin · 5,457 people76.6top 1.3%A+#2 of 62Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C
50Bagnoles de l'Orne NormandieOrne · 2,699 people76.5top 1.3%A+#2 of 19Strongest: health A, safety A−·lowest: cost of living B+
51ArgentréMayenne · 2,906 people76.5top 1.3%A+#5 of 16Strongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: walkability C+
52CharollesSaône-et-Loire · 2,772 people76.4top 1.3%A+#3 of 29Strongest: cost of living A, safety A·lowest: health B−
53Vic-le-ComtePuy-de-Dôme · 5,396 people76.4top 1.4%A+#2 of 38Strongest: safety A, cost of living A−·lowest: health B−
54Sévérac d'AveyronAveyron · 4,026 people76.4top 1.4%A+#5 of 14Strongest: schools A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability B−
55FareinsAin · 2,533 people76.3top 1.4%A+#3 of 53Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: walkability C
56LevrouxIndre · 2,797 people76.2top 1.4%A+#1 of 11Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A·lowest: jobs & income B−
57Torigny-les-VillesManche · 4,444 people75.9top 1.5%A+#2 of 27Strongest: schools A, safety A·lowest: walkability C+
58MontsûrsMayenne · 3,192 people75.9top 1.5%A+#6 of 16Strongest: safety A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability B−
59Commelle-VernayLoire · 3,050 people75.6top 1.5%A+#3 of 48Strongest: safety A+, health A−·lowest: walkability C
60Bricquebec-en-CotentinManche · 5,893 people75.5top 1.6%A+#3 of 27Strongest: safety A+, health A−·lowest: walkability C
61La BouëxièreIlle-et-Vilaine · 4,667 people75.5top 1.6%A+#4 of 75Strongest: safety A+, health A−·lowest: walkability C+
62Saint-Aubin-du-CormierIlle-et-Vilaine · 4,203 people75.5top 1.6%A+#5 of 75Strongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living B
62TerranjouMaine-et-Loire · 3,871 people75.5top 1.6%A+#4 of 52Strongest: schools A, safety A·lowest: walkability C−
64Saint-Mathieu-de-TréviersHérault · 4,979 people75.5top 1.7%A+#1 of 84Strongest: schools A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living C−
65ChâteaubernardCharente · 3,878 people75.3top 1.7%A+#1 of 26Strongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability B+
66Sainte-SigolèneHaute-Loire · 6,097 people75.3top 1.7%A+#3 of 15Strongest: safety A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability C+
67Mauzé-sur-le-MignonDeux-Sèvres · 2,941 people75.2top 1.7%A+#5 of 21Strongest: safety A, schools A·lowest: jobs & income B−
68Mortagne-sur-SèvreVendée · 6,057 people75.2top 1.8%A+#2 of 46Strongest: schools A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability B
69AvermesAllier · 4,074 people75.1top 1.8%A+#1 of 19Strongest: safety A, health A·lowest: schools B−
70AgneauxManche · 4,286 people75.1top 1.8%A+#4 of 27Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living B−
71Serres-CastetPyrénées-Atlantiques · 4,418 people75.1top 1.8%A+#2 of 35Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C
72MessimyRhône · 3,546 people75.0top 1.9%A+#1 of 107Strongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C
73Chazay-d'AzerguesRhône · 4,410 people74.7top 1.9%A+#2 of 107Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C
74Le VersoudIsère · 4,900 people74.6top 1.9%A+#1 of 96Strongest: safety A, health A·lowest: cost of living C
75Montrevault-sur-ÈvreMaine-et-Loire · 15,726 people74.6top 1.9%A+#5 of 52Strongest: schools A, safety A·lowest: walkability C
76GuichenIlle-et-Vilaine · 9,412 people74.6top 2.0%A+#6 of 75Strongest: schools A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C+
77Le Poiré-sur-VieVendée · 8,649 people74.5top 2.0%A+#3 of 46Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: walkability C−
78EnnezatPuy-de-Dôme · 2,748 people74.4top 2.0%A+#3 of 38Strongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: walkability B
79Sailly-sur-la-LysPas-de-Calais · 3,981 people74.4top 2.1%A+#1 of 120Strongest: schools A, safety A·lowest: walkability C+
80Nueil-les-AubiersDeux-Sèvres · 5,483 people74.4top 2.1%A+#6 of 21Strongest: schools A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability C+
81SèvremontVendée · 6,385 people74.3top 2.1%A+#4 of 46Strongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: walkability C
82Saint-FlourCantal · 6,391 people74.3top 2.1%A+Strongest: cost of living A, schools A−·lowest: jobs & income B
83Mont-près-ChambordLoir-et-Cher · 3,386 people74.3top 2.2%A+#1 of 22Strongest: safety A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability C−
84GueugnonSaône-et-Loire · 6,528 people74.3top 2.2%A+#4 of 29Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A·lowest: jobs & income C+
85BreteilIlle-et-Vilaine · 3,675 people74.2top 2.2%A+#7 of 75Strongest: safety A+, walkability A−·lowest: jobs & income B
86Saint-NabordVosges · 3,953 people74.2top 2.2%A+#1 of 27Strongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
87Ducey-Les ChérisManche · 2,784 people74.2top 2.3%A+#5 of 27Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: health C+
87Domfront en PoiraieOrne · 4,113 people74.2top 2.3%A+#3 of 19Strongest: cost of living A, schools A·lowest: health B−
89Villers-le-LacDoubs · 5,292 people74.1top 2.3%A+#3 of 28Strongest: safety A+, health B+·lowest: walkability C+
90BourgbarréIlle-et-Vilaine · 4,804 people74.1top 2.3%A+#8 of 75Strongest: health A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living C+
91Verneuil-sur-VienneHaute-Vienne · 4,903 people74.1top 2.4%A+#1 of 19Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability D
92VolvicPuy-de-Dôme · 4,883 people74.0top 2.4%A+#4 of 38Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C+
93Bourg-ArgentalLoire · 2,886 people73.9top 2.4%A+#4 of 48Strongest: cost of living A, schools A·lowest: jobs & income B−
94Saint-FulgentVendée · 3,994 people73.9top 2.4%A+#5 of 46Strongest: safety A, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C+
95BoisseuilHaute-Vienne · 3,010 people73.8top 2.5%A+#2 of 19Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: walkability D
96Milizac-GuipronvelFinistère · 4,816 people73.8top 2.5%A+#1 of 59Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C
97MozacPuy-de-Dôme · 3,957 people73.8top 2.5%A+#5 of 38Strongest: safety A, jobs & income A−·lowest: schools B−
98BaziègeHaute-Garonne · 3,583 people73.8top 2.6%A+#3 of 85Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living B
99Veyre-MontonPuy-de-Dôme · 3,721 people73.7top 2.6%A+#6 of 38Strongest: jobs & income A+, safety A·lowest: walkability C
100Essarts-en-BocageVendée · 6,851 people73.7top 2.6%A+#6 of 46Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: walkability C−
Where they are
The top 100 by département
The grade curve is the same everywhere, so départements with many towns of 2,500 or more fill more of the list.
Ille-et-Vilaine8Deux-Sèvres6Mayenne6Puy-de-Dôme6Vendée6Aveyron5Maine-et-Loire5Manche5Loire4Saône-et-Loire4Sarthe4Ain3Doubs3Haute-Garonne3Haute-Loire3Orne3Bas-Rhin2Haut-Rhin2Haute-Vienne2Pyrénées-Atlantiques2Rhône2Allier1Cantal1Charente1Creuse1Finistère1Hérault1Indre1Indre-et-Loire1Isère1Jura1Loir-et-Cher1Lozère1Morbihan1Pas-de-Calais1Vosges1Yvelines1
Big towns and cities
Places of 50,000+: the top 10
The same grade, among the 152 ranked towns and cities of 50,000+, so a town of 3,000 isn’t weighed against Lyon.
- 1AAjaccio, Corse-du-Sud76,320
- 2A−Versailles, Yvelines84,095
- 3A−Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine119,019
- 4A−Issy-les-Moulineaux, Hauts-de-Seine67,669
- 5B+Levallois-Perret, Hauts-de-Seine68,092
- 6B+Paris 15e, Paris229,713
- 7B+Courbevoie, Hauts-de-Seine82,902
- 8B+Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine59,538
- 9B+Rueil-Malmaison, Hauts-de-Seine82,874
- 10BParis 5e, Paris55,252
Method
How this list is made
The overall grade blends six graded subjects (cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs and income, walkability), each comparing a town with every other French town of 1,000 or more; the towns of 2,500 or more are ranked on that blend, shown as the score (0–100), so the order has no ties. Hazard risk isn’t graded in France yet: national flood maps cover only some areas. A town needs a Safety Grade and five graded subjects for an overall grade. Paris, Lyon and Marseille are ranked by arrondissement. Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana join when their income figures arrive. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best place to live in France?
Meslay-du-Maine, Mayenne ranks first of 3,798 graded towns of 2,500 or more: schools (A+) and safety (A+) are its strongest grades; jobs & income (B) is its lowest. Montastruc-la-Conseillère, Haute-Garonne and Baraqueville, Aveyron follow.
What is the best big town or city to live in?
Among the 152 ranked places of 50,000+, Ajaccio, Corse-du-Sud ranks first (A), then Versailles and Boulogne-Billancourt.
Which département has the most of the top 100?
Ille-et-Vilaine, with 8; then Deux-Sèvres (6), Mayenne (6), Puy-de-Dôme (6).
Département by département
Best places to live, département by département
AinAisneAllierAlpes-de-Haute-ProvenceAlpes-MaritimesArdècheAubeAudeBas-RhinBouches-du-RhôneCalvadosCharenteCharente-MaritimeCôte-d'OrCôtes-d'ArmorDeux-SèvresDordogneDoubsDrômeEssonneEureEure-et-LoirFinistèreGardGirondeHaut-RhinHaute-GaronneHaute-LoireHaute-SavoieHaute-VienneHauts-de-SeineHéraultIlle-et-VilaineIndre-et-LoireIsèreLandesLoir-et-CherLoireLoire-AtlantiqueLoiretLot-et-GaronneMaine-et-LoireMancheMarneMayenneMeurthe-et-MoselleMorbihanMoselleNordOiseOrneParisPas-de-CalaisPuy-de-DômePyrénées-AtlantiquesPyrénées-OrientalesRéunionRhôneSaône-et-LoireSartheSavoieSeine-et-MarneSeine-MaritimeSeine-Saint-DenisSommeTarnTarn-et-GaronneVal-d'OiseVal-de-MarneVarVaucluseVendéeVienneVosgesYonneYvelines
Photos: Meslay-du-Maine, Yzergues (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Montastruc-la-Conseillère, Didier Descouens (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Baraqueville, Cronimus (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources: TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranking French towns against each other only, run #47 of October 30, 2026. Under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab).
Contains public sector information under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab): INSEE, DGFiP, the Interior Ministry’s statistics service (SSMSI), the Ministry of Education (DEPP), the Health Ministry’s statistics service (DREES) and the Housing Ministry (Carte des loyers). Commune boundaries: IGN Admin Express.