Tuula Rampont

For those looking for the mystique and romance of lavender-filled Provence, without the bustling crowds and eye-watering price tags, look no further than Occitanie, Provence’s kissing cousin, with all the allure of southern France at a more affordable cost. Housing prices, while not rock bottom, are about a third lower than in popular expat hubs like Aix-en-Provence and Nice.

In an area filled with glamorous seaside towns, the South of France is a beach lover’s—and food lover’s—paradise. Although big-name favorites like Cannes, Nice, and Antibes remain top picks for a tour of the French Riviera, I’ve come to appreciate more off-the-beaten-track places, popular with locals. Many are less than a 20-minute drive from our home near Toulon in southeastern France.

Having lived in France since 2010, I sometimes feel a nagging tug of guilt while speaking with my French friends. Thankfully, they’ll never know how much I misjudged them in the beginning. It’s hard to admit, but in a country that has given me so much over the last 13 years—including wonderful healthcare and a sense of community I was longing for in the United States—I was very hesitant to move to France. I had a certain vision of the French as standoffish, stuffy, and, honestly, very arrogant.