The Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre has signed a two-year deal with the Top 14 side, where he will link up with international team-mate Ben White, having sought his advice before committing to the move.
Despite the excitement of a new challenge, Jones admits it will be difficult to leave a Warriors side currently sitting top of the United Rugby Championship and through to the last 16 of the Champions Cup as the second-highest ranked team.
"It's a big move but one we're really excited for, and all the boys have been chuffed for me," said Jones in The Scotsman.
"It's also a difficult decision leaving a club that's doing really well. I feel like we're one of the best teams in Europe. But I think that just gives me more motivation to achieve something with Glasgow this year.
"We've given ourselves a good opportunity. We've put ourselves in the right place to do that, obviously that will come later in the season, we're here to focus on Scotland at the moment."
Jones, who recently returned from a long lay-off following Achilles surgery, enjoyed a standout summer with the British & Irish Lions, featuring in all three Tests as the tourists clinched a series win in Australia. This week he linked up with the Scotland squad this week ahead of the Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy.
"I've always been pretty open about the fact that I would love to play in France," he added. "So this has come at a great time. I feel like I'm ready for this opportunity. It's a short career you have to capitalise on where you're at and the offers you get."
Head Coach Franco Smith was keen to retain the 32-year-old, but understood his desire to take on a new challenge.
"He understood my reasons and although the club have then got to potentially recruit someone, again, he was happy for me as well," said Jones.
Jones' departure will bring an end to his club partnership with Sione Tuipulotu, although the centre pairing is likely to continue at international level.
"I was next to Sione in the huddle and I'm sure he was crying!"
Earlier in the week, when Tuipulotu was asked to sum up how Jones' departure felt, he told Scotland Rugby News: "Mixed feelings, to be honest. I'm really happy for him that he got that opportunity to go play in France.
"He's probably getting to that stage in his career where he deserves to go and explore the world and explore different competitions.
"I'm really happy for his family, his young family, that he gets to go over there and experience that. On the other side, I'm sad that I won't get to play with him for much longer, in the Glasgow colours at least.
"I even said to him that I just want to make this year special. I thought the same thing when Tom [Jordan] left last year. He was another one of my really close mates.
"It's important that we make the most of our combination while we're at Glasgow, but also we've still got a lot of rugby to play for Scotland together."