1.5 Years out from Moving - Looking for Planning Help

Bonjour a tous!  I am retiring in 2027 and plan to move to France.  I plan to get a long stay visa and live there as an expat for the foreseeable future.  If I live long enough, I might become a French citizen.  I have started the research on making this move, but would like to get help from those who have already done it.  In no specific order, the topics:

Where in France?  While I would like to spend the first 6 months in Paris (right?) and then decide on a more permanent location (like the South, right?), I am open to feedback on someone who may have already done that.  I know all the pros and cons of living in Paris, but I have not talked to an American Expat who has actually been living there and can tell me if the above plan is a good one or not.

Health Insurance?  I know that I will need to buy health insurance initially, then I may be able to get on France's national health insurance.  What company have other Expats used?  The internet recommends Cigna Global, GeoBlue, Allianz.  Thoughts and recommendations?

Cell Phones?  I know that I can get a Google phone number to keep my current cell, and add a SIM/ESIM to get a French phone number (essential for conducting business in France).  Any other thoughts?

Banking:  Conceptually, I understand that all my "American" money accounts are still accessible in France via the internet.  (1) When setting up a French bank account for the first time, how do deposit money into it?  Electronically from my bank in America or some other way?  (2) I read a lot of moving money from America to France, but there always seems to be significant transaction fees.  What's the best way to transfer large sums of money from an American bank account to a French bank account.

American Snail Mail:  Baguette Bound (on Youtube) says they pay around 20 USD a month for a company to get their mail.  If there is something important, the company will scan it and sent it electronically.  What are some of the other options?

Finding an Apartment Initially - There are several sites that can be used to find and rent an apartment for 6 months (AirBnB, VRBO, and specific French sites).  I also found a bougie site called Paris Attitude.  How did you all find a place and what would you recommend in hindsight.

Thanks and please let me know what I forgot to ask