Seaside living in France is ever-so-appealing. With sun, sea and sailing on your doorstep, what’s not to love? It’s no secret that France has a selection of superb beaches and coastal towns to choose from. While the possibility of living by the sea hasn’t always been practical, especially for those who travel to work, the steady rise of remote working in France has made the dream a little more attainable.
New stats from Insee have revealed that the rise in popularity of remote working has kickstarted a race to the French seaside.
Biarritz is a coastal location that’s seen a sharp increase in popularity
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Rise in remote working along the French coast
This may not surprise many people: living by the sea is very good for you, of that there is no doubt. During those difficult Covid times when we were all so restricted, remote working became the norm. People got used to it; it suddenly dawned on us that we don’t necessarily need to travel to work. For many office-bound jobs, working anywhere was possible. This way of life seemed to take hold and although we are no longer restricted, remote working has become much more common.
France in particular opted for a great deal of remote working. According to Statista, almost one in three people in France worked remotely or had a hybrid way of working in March 2020.
Interestingly, Statista also found that the share of people working remotely in France increased from 25% in 2017 to 29% in 2019, before the start of the pandemic. People, it seems were starting to feel the benefits of no commuting and greater flexibility in their working hours well in advance of the outbreak of Covid.
Age-wise, Statista reports that 46% of people aged 25-34 and 47% of those aged 35-49 work remotely in France in 2024. As for location, coastal towns and villages came out top, unsurprisingly. Anyone who is employed by a foreign company must ensure they are permitted to work remotely from abroad, but many employers are now authorising this in France.
Insee reports that lots of coastal areas in France have seen population numbers soar since 2019. In particular, resorts along the long stretch of the Atlantic coast have seen a significant increase in population.
Grande Plage Beach in Biarritz, Aquitaine
The benefits of working by the seaside
These days most people are fully equipped to work from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection, laptop and charger, and you’re good to go. Naturally, you will need to check this is ok with your employer or boss first.
However, the benefits are many including:
- No need to commute, just head to your designated office/dining room/workspace
- An improved work/life balance
- Health benefits
- Increase in productivity (less distractions – depending on who you live with)
- Possibility of flexible working hours
And when living by the sea, perhaps the greatest benefit of all is being able to take a 10-30 minute walk on your lunch break to enjoy the calmness of the sea. Living and/or working close to water has long been associated with huge health benefits. Watching and listening to the gentle flow of water has been proven to bring a sense of tranquillity.
Naturally, these benefits in turn will mean that your productivity could be greater and so it is hard to see any real downside to remote working by the sea. Employers are beginning to note that they will get more out of their workforce if they are happy in their environment. France seems to have embraced this more than other European countries.
The French Riviera at Frejus
Remote working hotspots by the sea in France
It seems that most coastal resorts in France have noted a rise in popularity. As mentioned above, the Atlantic coast that spans from the northwest in Brittany right down to Biarritz appears to be the most popular. However, the ever-glamourous resorts in the South of France such as Cannes and St. Tropez have also experienced an increase in population. Notable towns where remote working seems to be most popular are Morbihan in Brittany, Arcachon in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and further south Narbonne and of course, the beautiful Cote d’Azur.
The latest notaire data shows that some beachside towns have seen a rise in prices, possibly due to the increase in popularity. After all, the lure of the ocean coupled with a distinct overhaul of our priorities since the pandemic has meant that being beside the sea for both work and play in France is becoming ever more popular and possible.
You might also like:
- Your wild (and sometimes furry) neighbours in rural France
- The best resorts and property hotspots for ski lovers in France
- Cycling in France, for fun, fitness and friendship
Sources: Statista, Insee, Notaires de France
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