Charleville-Mezieres, France

Capital City

At just 45,560 residents, Charleville-Mézières is a small French city with an outsize reputation as the "World Capital of Puppetry Arts." However, beneath its quaint cultural veneer lies a harsh reality - the climate here is notoriously cold, with long, gloomy winters and summer nights that can plummet below 5°C even in July. Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, as the town was occupied by German forces during both world wars and has a complex administrative history. While the Rimbaud Museum and international puppet festivals may appeal to some, the chilly temperatures and administrative hassles make this city a better fit for hardy, creative types than the average expat.