Fontenay-le-Fleury, France

With a population of just 13,680, Fontenay-le-Fleury is hardly the bustling Parisian suburb you might expect. This sleepy agricultural town in the Plaine de Versailles is dominated by the long shadow of Versailles itself, with the king's influence still visible in the local architecture. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town is effectively a dependency of the nearby royal domain.

On the plus side, Fontenay-le-Fleury's proximity to the St-Cyr-l'École air base has given it a connection to French aviation history, with pioneers like Santos-Dumont performing maneuvers over the surrounding fields. The town's cultural center also provides a respite from the rural quiet. But overall, this is a place best suited for those seeking a slower-paced life in the Parisian periphery, not the bright lights of the capital.