The 2026 ranking of the most livable cities was published on Sunday, February 1. It was a mixed verdict for Bordeaux, which dropped 11 places compared to last year. Meanwhile, Biarritz consolidated its position at the top of the national ranking.
This is an opportunity to remind ourselves that even if Bordeaux has its flaws, it remains unquestionably a peaceful and beautiful city! And above all, it is the city where you can drink the best wine and find great restaurants and the best Neapolitan pizza!
A mixed ranking for Bordeaux
For the seventh consecutive year, the association Villes et villages où il fait bon vivre( Cities and villages where life is good)has unveiled its eagerly awaited rankings. Designed to establish an annual ranking of all municipalities in mainland France, it lists no fewer than 34,727 cities and villages in 2026.
On a national scale, the trend is confirmed for Bordeaux:the Sleeping Beauty continues its decline and now ranks 48th, a drop of 11 places in one year. Far from its heyday—notably in 2021, when it ranked 8th—the fall is gradual and continuous. In six years, Bordeaux has lost 40 places, moving further and further away from the top 10. If we consider only municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, the city ranks 16th out of 40.
At the departmental level, however, Bordeaux remains the leading city in Gironde to feature in the ranking. It is followed by Mérignac (110th) and Villenave-d’Ornon (147th).
Contrasting dynamics in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Biarritz
For the second year running, Biarritz has been crowned the most liveable city in France. It is closely followed by Bayonne, which remains in 4th place, and Anglet, 7th in the ranking, up two places from last year.
La Rochelle, on the other hand, has been knocked out of the top 10 this year. Like Bordeaux, La Rochelle has fallen significantly, dropping six places at once to 11th in the 2026 rankings.
197 criteria for a methodical ranking
La Rochelle
The ranking ofcities and towns where life is good is now the most comprehensive ranking of French municipalities. It is based on the analysis of 197 criteria, divided into 11 major categories, including quality of life, safety, transportation, shops and services, education, environmental protection, and solidarity.
These criteria are weighted according to their importance, as determined by OpinionWay surveys. All data comes from recognized institutional sources, such as INSEE, the Ministry of the Interior, and Arcep, ensuring a rigorous and transparent methodology.
So what are the top 10?
Bayonne
Just in case you’re planning to move, here are the top 10 cities to live in France in 2026:
- Biarritz
- Annecy
- Angers
- Bayonne
- Rodez
- Cherbourg
- Anglet
- Caen
- Nice
- Brest