How do retirement homes in France work?
Explore care options, costs, and how to choose the right place for you or your loved ones
Residents in French retirement homes are protected by national laws ensuring dignity, safety, and personal freedoms
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As people are living independently for longer, the average age for entering a retirement home in France is now around 85.
With over 10,000 retirement facilities across the country, families can choose from a variety of care levels and living arrangements, both public and private.
Public and private options in France
Retirement homes in France can be either publicly or privately operated.
Public homes are typically managed by hospitals or local councils through the Centre communal d’action sociale (CCAS).
Private facilities may be run by businesses or non-profit associations and are often affiliated with organisations such as insurance firms or foundations.
Most homes are approved by local social services (Direction départementale des affaires sanitaires et sociales, or DDASS), ensuring they meet national care standards.
Traditional retirement homes
There are two main types of retirement home in France.
An EHPA (établissement d’hébergement pour personnes âgées) or accommodation for elderly people is a traditional retirement home for individuals over 60 who remain relatively independent.
An EHPAD (établissement d’hébergement pour personnes âgées dépendantes) or accommodation for dependent elderly people is a specialised nursing home for residents with greater medical and personal care needs.
In both cases, the accommodation available is usually just a room.
Some EHPA homes rely on external medical professionals like local GPs and district nurses, whereas EHPADs provide more integrated care.
Specialised units
Long-term care units or USLDs (unités de soins de longue durée) provide care for residents who are fully dependent on medical assistance. These are usually part of the hospital system.
For people with dementia, cantous are small units that offer a secure environment and personalised care, housing up to ten residents.
Sometimes these units form part of a larger retirement home and are called a unité de vie protégée spécialisée Alzheimer (specialized Alzheimer's protected living unit).
The specialised units encourage participation in daily activities to help reduce anxiety and disorientation.
Resident rights and care standards
Residents in French retirement homes are protected by national laws ensuring dignity, safety, and personal freedoms.
They are entitled to privacy, quality care tailored to their needs, and involvement in decisions about their care.
All personal information is confidential, and residents must be kept informed about their care and directly involved in planning their care and support options.
English-speaking retirement homes
While there is no national English-language retirement home network, several homes cater to English speakers.
For instance, in the French Riviera, the Sunnybank Association in Mouans-Sartoux collaborates with English-speaking facilities such as the Victoria Residential Care Home and Albert Retirement Apartments.
Tools and considerations for choosing a retirement home
Your mairie may be able to help you find homes in your area, and there are also several websites you can search:
It is recommended to visit several homes before choosing one, and spend time getting to know how it is run as well as meet the staff and residents.
There are several elements to assess in order to make sure a home best suits your needs:
Accommodation: Safety features, room size, shared spaces, and accessibility.
Catering: Meal quality, dietary accommodations, and preparation methods.
Staff: Qualifications and staff-to-resident ratio.
Medical Support: Availability of doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists.
Activities: Exercise, games, outings, and social events.
Visitors: Visiting hours, private areas, and overnight stay options.
Pets: Some sheltered accommodation allows pets, communal homes rarely do.
Cost of retirement homes
Private homes generally cost up to 50% more than public ones but may have shorter waiting lists.
Median EHPAD costs are about €2,004/month and state aid may be available based on income towards some of the costs.
Costs are divided into:
Accommodation: Meals, cleaning, and lodging (around €58–€85 per day).
Medical Care: Covered by social security, approximately €1,000/month.
Dependency Care: Based on need and covers non-medical assistance.
Optional extras may include laundry, personal grooming, and entertainment.
