Living In Alsace, France
Alsace is in France’s northeast and many expats call it home. Also, it borders with Germany and Switzerland.
The folks who live in Alsace get to experience a unique blend of the culture from all three countries, in particular French and German.
France is the perfect place for retirees. It offers the best quality of life in Europe.
Moving here takes an adjustment to a much slower pace of life.
French people enjoy spending time with loved ones, having engaging conversations over coffee or wine, at any time of day.
Alsace has a fascinating history. The region was part of the Holy Roman Empire and the German realm of culture.
Since the 17th century, Alsace has passed between German and French control numerous times, resulting in a cultural blend.
Therefore, you’ll see the German traits in the more traditional, rural parts of the culture, such as the food and architecture.
On the other hand, French culture dominates the modern institutions.
Alsace is well known for its wine as it’s a major wine-producing region. It’s particularly known for its Rieslings—a dry, white wine. It’s also a well-known beer producing region.
All around Alsace, France, you’ll explore its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture.
Life in Alsace means enjoying a high number of picturesque villages, churches, and castles.
The main cities and towns in Alsace are Strasbourg (the region’s capital), Colmar, Mulhouse, Haguenau, Sélestat, Guebwiller, Saverne, Obernai, and Thann.
Retirement In Alsace, France
Alsace has a large international expat community. However, expats advise you join a club that specializes in an activity of interest to you. That’s the best way to meet like-minded people.
For example, join a book, film or sports club or take a French language class.
Another great way to meet people are at social events like art exhibitions or music and theatre shows.
For those looking to retire in Alsace, there are also lots of museums and sports facilities dotted around the region. And, if you like the great outdoors and nature, you’ll enjoy living here. Especially if you have a passion for kayaking, biking, and hiking.
There are great hiking opportunities in the Vosges Mountains with interesting wildlife and plants and stunning highland landscapes.
More adventurous expats head for Kaysersberg Valley—where an abundance of activities are available: Walk around Lac Blanc Lake, explore a treetop adventure park, or go biking.
When planning to move overseas, we always recommend to meet with an attorney who specializes in helping foreigners become full-time residents.
They will walk you through your (sometimes many) options and help you choose the one that best matches your circumstances, priorities, and objectives.
Plus, when you plan to reinvent your life in a foreign country, it becomes fuller and richer in ways you likely couldn’t predict.
Cost Of Living In Alsace, France
The cost of living in Alsace is moderately expensive.
In the chart below we include the monthly prices for a couple living well in Strasbourg, the region’s capital.
Also, you could live on less if you’re willing to make some sacrifices or decide to live in a smaller town or village.
Let’s take a closer look at the cost of living in Alsace, France.
Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)
Things To Do In Alsace, France
There is so much to explore in Alsace. Below are just some of the highlights.
Take a walk through the Grande Île in the heart of Strasbourg’s city center. The architecture is stunning—not surprising that it features on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Check out the Place du Château Square, where you’ll see the royal Palais Rohan, home to three museums.
Next to that is the Strasbourg Cathedral. Climb the 332 steps to its platform to take in the breathtaking views of the city.
The wine-producing town of Obernai is a few miles from Strasbourg.
Stop at one of the terrace restaurants at Place du Marché Square, and enjoy local cuisine while taking in the town’s impressive medieval architecture of the City Hall and the Watchtower.
In picturesque Sélestat, with its half-timber houses, check out the Humanist Library—a treasure of the Renaissance that houses a large collection of medieval manuscripts.
Follow the scenic Alsace Wine Route for a tour of the vineyards and the quaint villages in the region. There are seven Alsatian grape varieties on this route.
In the city of Colmar, start your visit in Little Venice—a labyrinth of canals that you can explore by boat.
Also worth seeing is the Old Town’s Gothic and Renaissance gems, in particular Saint Martin’s Collegiate Church.
Safety In Alsace, France
Alsace, France, is a very safe region to live.
Petty theft happens everywhere. So, be cautious when you’re outside and carrying valuable items. Use your common sense.
Health Care In Alsace, France
Health care in France is arguably the best in the world. It is among the many reasons Americans choose to move to France.
For years, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an index rating and ranking the quality of health care in every country in the world. Year after year France came out on top.
And, beiing a member of French Social Security (that is, you’re paying into the system), most of the cost of this extraordinary health care is covered.
Generally, though, non-EU residents will not be able to access the public health care system and will need to seek private care.
The Ministry of Health coordinates all matters related to health care in France. It works well because it is a fully integrated system meaning that public and private hospitals, as well as doctors and other medical professionals, recognize and accept the plan.
The French government asks for proof of insurance when applying for a long-stay visa—and keep this insurance for the first five years of living in France.
After this, you can apply to take part in the public system. To qualify, you’ll need to be working in France, self-employed and making the necessary contributions, or of retirement age.
Health care in Alsace includes excellent hospitals, such as the Hôpital civil de Strasbourg, one of France’s oldest medical institutions. Wherever you choose to live, you’ll have a choice of both private and public hospitals. There are also plenty of clinics, dental surgeries, and pharmacies.
Prescriptions are also usually significantly cheaper in France, but make sure to look up where to go because pharmacy stocks are different than in the US.
France: Visa And Residency
U.S. and Canadian citizens are automatically granted a 90-day tourist visa when entering the country for business or personal travel.
This is referred to as a “short-stay” visa (type C). Officially it’s called a Visa de court séjour Schengen, a short-stay Schengen visa, as it allows you 90 days within the Schengen Zone at large, not just France.
Long-Stay Visas (Visas De Long Séjour)
To apply for a long-stay visa (type D), make an appointment at the French consulate nearest you in your home country—generally you are required to submit the application in person, but some accept applications via mail. You can request stays of four months up to a year.
The approval process can take anywhere from a couple weeks to several months.
Types Of Long-Stay Visas
Visa De Long Séjour Temporaire: Valable 4 À 6 Mois (Temporary Long-Stay Visa)
This visa allows for a stay of four to six months and you do not need to apply for a residency permit once you’re in France under this visa.
VLS-TS (Visa De Long Séjour Valant Titre De Séjour (Long-Stay Visa)
This visa allows you to enter and stay in the country for four months to a year, but you’ll need to register with the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) to validate it within three months of arrival.
To do this you’ll have to fill out a form that was provided to you by the consulate before leaving home and mail it to the OFII office nearest you (find the office nearest you on their website) along with copies of passport ID pages as well as any pages used to enter the country.
Once received, your application will be registered. After that, you’ll be given an appointment date for a medical checkup and be interviewed by OFII.
At this appointment you must bring your passport, proof of domicile, a photo ID, tax stamps, and the medical certificate if done in advance. For visa renewals, you must apply for an extension with local authorities (préfecture) in the two months preceding expiry.
Carte De Séjour À Solliciter Dans Les 2 Mois Suivant L’arrivée (Residency Permit)
This visa allows you to enter France and request a residency permit at the préfecture within two months of arriving. You can request a stay of a year, multiple years, or 10 years once you’re in country. These are typically granted to retirees, relations of French people, professionals (or independently employed), contractual workers, and artists.
Regardless of which option you go for, when you apply at the consulate.
You’ll need the following documents:
Financial Guarantees Needed
While these general documents will likely be required by all, it’s possible your personal situation will require additional documents.
France immigration recommends always getting in touch with your consulate before applying to verify the list of documents you should provide.
Most importantly, all documents must be translated by a certified translator and must be presented in original, together with one copy.
After living in France for five years on a Long-Stay Residency Card, you can apply for a Permanent Residency Card.
France has two types of Residency Cards, known locally as a carte de séjour or carte de résident.
Most foreigners will be given a carte de séjour. The Permanent Residency Card is valid for 10 years and is automatically renewable.
To apply for a visa, use the term “Consulate General of France” to do an online search.
Each Consulate manages a region. So, you will need to determine which office is responsible for your state.
Local Weather
Alsace has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters.
July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 79°F.
The coldest month in Alsace is January, where temperatures hover around 43°F.
Most importantly, Alsace experiences significant rainfall throughout the year.
