Retiring in France? Why Ille-et-Vilaine Could Be Your Perfect Home in Brittany 🇫🇷
Dreaming of retiring or relocating to France? In this video, we explore Ille-et-Vilaine (pronounced Eel-eh Vee-len), one of the four departments of Brittany and a region full of history, coastline charm, and affordable living.
Join Matt & Diane from The Euro Pats as we uncover:
✔️ Cost of living and housing (renting vs. buying)
✔️ Food, transportation, and healthcare access
✔️ Crime statistics and safety in the region
✔️ Average weather (°F & °C) year-round
✔️ Popular towns and expat-friendly areas
✔️ Annual festivals, traditions, and local culture
Whether you’re curious about Rennes, Saint-Malo, or the quiet countryside villages, Ille-et-Vilaine offers something for everyone — from seaside beauty to vibrant city life.
👉 Watch until the end for our thoughts on whether Ille-et-Vilaine could be the right place for YOU to retire or settle in France.
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Music by Epidemic Sound
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Weather information by www.WeatherSpark.com
Links to property shown:
Rental Property: https://www.seloger.com/annonces/locations/maison/landean-35/241300923.htm
Purchase Property:
https://www.frenchestateagents.com/french-property-for-sale/view/A38320SIS35/house-for-sale-sens-de-bretagne-ille-et-vilaine-brittany-france
Credit for images used, none of which were altered.
Fougeres Castle – By Gfmorin – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7550187
Fougeres Castle Panoramic – By The original uploader was Luna04 at French Wikipedia. – Transferred from fr.wikipedia to Commons by KaTeznik using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4838424
Fougeres Porte Notre Dame – By The original uploader was Luna04 at French Wikipedia. – Transferred from fr.wikipedia to Commons by Pymouss using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10651154
Fougeres Theatre – By Pymouss – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10746161
Fougeres Public Garden – By Coyau / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11466792
Man’s Lion Bus – By Luckydes – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17409942
Festival Interceltique – By Édouard Hue (User:EdouardHue) – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20839291
Saint Lenoard Church – By S.Möller – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=426679
Fougeres Market Day – By S.Möller – Self-photographed, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=248784
Chateau Vitre – By No machine-readable author provided. Pacoviande~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1386742
Vitre Castle – CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=294038
Vitre Old Town – By The original uploader was Pacoviande at French Wikipedia.Later versions were uploaded by Grondin at fr.wikipedia. – Transferred from fr.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=626589
Redon – Village – By I, Ikmo-ned, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2580025
Renne Train Station – By Lynx1211 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=151792493
Renne TGV Train – By Copyright © 2004 David Monniaux – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24153
Renne Airport – By Serge Ottaviani – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19852609
Redon Abbey – By I, Ikmo-ned, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2580025
Rennes University Hospital – By Electzik – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14931677
Trans Musicales – By Selbymay – Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=154211928
Buckwheat Gallette – ©️https://myfavouriteescapes.com/recipe/how-to-make-galettes/
Bretagne Apple Cider – ©️Yannick Derennes – https://www.brittanytourism.com/matching-what-i-want/food-drink/drinks/breton-cider-apple-juice/©h
Kouign
Redon Marshes – ©️Noé C. Photography – Eglise, ©️Lamoureux Alexandre – Night Time View – https://www.brittanytourism.com/destinations/the-10-destinations/brittany-loire-ocean/the-redon-marshes/
10 Comments
Renne is looking better and better! I am definitely going to look around there.
Hope your back is feeling better, Diane ❤
What you said about Rennes' population skewing younger tracks with what we've found out about the local gamer community. We always look for stores that sell Dungeons and Dragons books, miniatures, etc. Rennes seems to have some good ones we'd enjoy visiting.
Love It. I agree with the renting part..at least for awhile. Get settled, explore and take it all in before anything major. Moving to a different country is alot at first. Speaking from experience. Enjoy it all and I know you will. Exciting for sure. Love to Y'all and God Bless.❤🙏
Ille-et-Vilaine ! Merci !
I hadn't heard of Fougères before. I'll definitely take a closer look. My wife loves the castle.
Hie from Rennes..thks for this video.
We're thinking of renting for a while, too, before making a decision on where to buy. I think it's a smart choice. Though our first choice is the Loire Valley, there truly are just so many wonderful and diverse regions in France!
I might have missed it in one of your other videos, but do you have an anticipated date for retirement? I’m 7 1/2 years out and wondering if I’m crazy for doing all this research now.
I don't think I'd want to live right in Rennes, but nearby would be a consideration. It's very tempting because of the available conveniences I think there's a lot of traffic there, but can't remember which channel I heard that from.
Hello Diane and Matt. Of the three towns mentioned in my campervan excursions, I spent a long weekend in Fougères. Aside from the urban setting described, I actually found this little town rather peaceful.
Mario from Poitou.
Finally you're examining my place 😀