The Good Life in France

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BRITONS looking for some “joie de vivre” should move to France to feel happier and healthier, according to a new survey of expatriates.

The findings suggest that people living across the “La Manche” are also likely to find their French neighbours sexier and better dressed, but possibly not as witty or good company.

The survey of 1,000 Britons living in France found 87% felt happier since moving and 94% healthier, with the majority eating better, doing more cooking and getting more exercise.

Most Britons said France had better family values and standards of behaviour, more respect for elderly people, less stress and less crimes, according to the National Expat French Life Survey, which was commissioned by the the English language publication TheFrenchPaper.

Britons also found France to be a better place to bring up children, with over 95% of respondents linking France with better manners, more respect, increased safety and the retention of childhood innocence.

While 92% said their quality of life in France was good or excellent, 49% said the same was true when they were living in the UK, citing aggressive behaviour, drunkenness, high crime and dirty streets as things they missed least about Britain. Of those questioned, 30% said they had lost weight and 15% said their sex life was better.

The majority (71%) of British men and women said French women were sexier than British women, 56% found them more attractive, 66% said they were better dressed, and 92% thought them slimmer.

Most (59%) also thought French men were sexier and better dressed than British men, 84% found them slimmer, and 47% said they were more attractive.

Michael Streeter, the British editor of TheFrenchPaper, said: “One of the striking features of these findings is that so many Britons have come to France searching for their dream – and they have found that the grass really is greener on the other side. One of the main reasons Brits move to France is because it’s a place where a sense of community still truly exists.

“People like the fact that there is a lot of emphasis put on family life here. It’s also interesting to note that many high-fliers from the UK come to France and start less demanding careers here, to enjoy the quality of life.”

According to TheFrenchPaper, more than 200,000 Britons have moved to France with the same number owning second homes there.