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SW France is a large diverse area. Are you thinking interior, Atlantic side or Mediterranean side. We are in a similar search but have narrowed it to Perpignan to Montpellier and nearby areas. We are going this fall to check out that area.

My husband and I retired to Pau (from Boston) in the southwest three years ago.  It's a great small city ~ 2 hours south of Bordeaux, 2 hours west of Toulouse, and 1 hour west of the Atlantic coast.  It is the center of government for the area and is considered the "gateway" to the Pyrenees.  It offers the amenities of urban life in a spectacular natural setting; surrounded by vineyards, mountains, and farmland.  The city has a university, a historic chateau (the birthplace of King Henri IV), a museum of fine arts, a symphony, an annual Grand Prix race car event, and the spectacle of the Tour de France (a stage starts and/or finishes here nearly every year).  The city has its own hospital and all of the necessary medical clinics.  It also has an airport with direct flights to Paris, national railway with links to Paris, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Biarritz, etc.  It also has a tramline.  The people are warm and friendly; we have been accepted with open arms and have develop deep and lasting friendships.  We highly recommend considering our vibrant city with unmatched natural beauty!

Theresa and John Brown