Compiègne (Compiegne), France

With a population of just 40,761, Compiègne is a small French town that lacks the glamour and amenities of Paris. The Armistice of 1918 was signed in the nearby forest, but today the bureaucracy is a persistent headache for foreign residents. The climate is temperate, but the town's isolation can feel stifling. Compiègne may appeal to those seeking a quiet, provincial life, but it's hardly an ideal destination for the average American abroad.