Dunkirk (Dunkerque), France

Dunkirk is a gritty, industrial port city with a long history of economic hardship. The club Union Sportive du Littoral de Dunkerque competes in Ligue 2, France's second division, having gained promotion from the third tier in the 2022-23 season. While the city has rebuilt itself after the devastation of World War II, bureaucracy remains a persistent headache for residents. Dunkirk's bleak climate and industrial landscape make it a poor fit for those seeking a picturesque French idyll, but its scrappy resilience and passion for football could appeal to a certain breed of expat.