I’ve been happily married to a French citizen for many years. Our marriage was registered at the French Embassy/consulate in DC years ago & we have a Livret de Famille. We want to retire to France. I know I qualify for a long-stay visa. Although I speak decent French, I gather I don’t need the language test since I’m above age 65.
From reading the French government visa application site, it appears I’m also eligible for citizenship by marriage which would be ideal since I wouldn’t have to renew a visa periodically.
I’m unable to discern whether I’d need a visa before applying for citizenship. Has anyone gone through this issue? Thanks.
Interesting to read this comment about the language test…
Please can you tell me where you got this information?
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I’m pretty sure that’s out of date and there’s no longer a routine exemption for over-65s. Though I do think there are some very specific age exemptions for the disabled and aged refugees.
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Yep… that what I’d read a while back, that’s why I’m interested to know exactly what the current situation is… and if there is hope for me yet… 
The main exemption from the language test is when applying by ascendancy. This requires you to have lived in France continuously for 25 years and have French children/grandchildren. Disability requires medical certificates, and doesn’t exempt from the interview in French.
If you apply for citizenship by marriage before you move to France and wait until you obtain it you won’t need a visa when you move - but this can take a year or two.
This is the information about entry requirements for a non european spouse. If you want it in english there is an option at top of page, but it’s very bad english. Better to copy and paste into deepl.
Clearly the authors didn’t take a language test. 
I’ve seen so many different sources with varying answers. It looks as if for citizenship, I’ll need at least a B1 level which I think I can pass.
In the Loi Immigration in 2024. no change was proposed for applications by marriage, so it remains at B1. However there is a new law on the cards so do not assume it won’t change then. Bruno Retailleau is pushing to make things stricter.
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