place-palais-bordeaux

Bordeaux is back at the top of the ranking of cities where Parisians want to move to

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The Editor

©JeanLucIchard

It's hard to tell if this is good news or bad news... But according to the latest ranking from rental company Drivalia, Bordeaux has climbed to the top spot as the most desired city for Parisians looking to move. The Sleeping Beauty stands out as the number one choice for residents of Île-de-France in search of milder air, melodic accents, and sunny cafés.


The Call of the Southwest

Every summer, suitcases close in Paris, and life plans are drawn up elsewhere. New home, new job, new rhythm—moving becomes almost an existential quest. And this year, once again, a city makes the hearts of Parisians longing for greenery and glasses of wine by the Garonne beat faster: Bordeaux.

According to data analyzed by Drivalia (a subsidiary of CA Auto Bank) through its Rent and Drop service, Bordeaux tops the list of cities chosen by Parisians for moving between March 1 and May 15, 2025. It outpaces Toulouse and Lyon, with 7.7% of moves recorded from Paris. While it had been dethroned by Marseille, it seems that the Gironde capital is shining again to steal the spotlight from the Mediterranean.

Top 5 cities where Parisians are moving in 2025:

  1. Bordeaux (7.7%)

  2. Toulouse (4.7%)

  3. Lyon (4.6%)

  4. Marseille (4.1%)

  5. Aix-en-Provence (3.9%)


A city that keeps attracting more

The study also looked at the most sought-after destinations by the French for a life change: Bordeaux holds 3rd place in the national ranking with 5% of total relocations, just behind Lyon (7%) and Paris (14%). While Paris remains the most popular city to settle down in, it also sees nearly the same number of departures.

The Girondin metropolis charms with its quality of life, economic vibrancy, the whispers of the nearby Atlantic Ocean, and its ever-expanding cultural offerings. Former Parisians find a capital-like atmosphere here… without the crowded metro.


Goodbye Toulouse, hello Lyon

In the top 10 cities where people are moving the most, there are some notable changes: Lyon jumps to 2nd place, benefiting from its economic vitality. Toulouse slips to 4th place, after sitting proudly on the podium just last year. Marseille, Rennes, Nantes, and Aix-en-Provence are leaving the rankings, making way for Bayonne, Béziers, and Annecy.

*The ranking is based on the analysis of one-way trips made with utility vehicles reserved for moving – a concrete method based on actual movements rather than declared intentions.