Do you dream of dwelling in France, or having a vacation residence there? With a splendidly wealthy and numerous panorama and tradition, there’s an enormous selection of locations to place down roots, however we actually love the division of Charente Maritime and so do the consultants at famend property company Choice Habitat.
Why Charente Maritime is such an excellent place to dwell
Charente Maritime is on the southwest coast of France, and it’s a part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine (beforehand referred to as Poitou-Charentes). “With over 460 km of shoreline, the division could be very standard for each main and second-home house owners. From the sandy seashores of Royan to the unique island charms of Île de Ré and Île d’Oléron, the selection of properties is huge—seafront villas, fashionable flats, or conventional stone houses, which all have year-round attraction. There are historic cities akin to La Rochelle, a very picturesque previous port with its distinctive towers, hyperlinks to the Knights Templar, cobblestone streets and arcaded streets.
“A bit of additional down the coast, the Seventeenth-century naval city of Rochefort has grand avenues and chic structure. Saintes, in the meantime, has one of many oldest Gallo-Roman amphitheatres and its unimaginable Romanesque Basilica with one of many largest Romanesque crypts in Europe. Saint-Jean-d’Angély, a small city, boasts a wealthy heritage and gives a laid-back way of life with all of the amenities you can want. So many locations that mix character, historical past, and thriving native communities, making them notably engaging to consumers in search of each a everlasting and secondary houses,” says Douglas Hines, regional supervisor for Les Charentes, Choice Habitat.
“Accessibility is a key power. With airports at La Rochelle and Bordeaux plus TGV hyperlinks to Paris, Charente-Maritime is exceptionally effectively related, making certain ease of entry for worldwide guests and second-home house owners who wish to maximise use of their property,” he provides. The primary airports are at La Rochelle and Bordeaux, however there are additionally a number of smaller airports. Driving from Calais takes about 7 to eight hours. The ferry ports at St Malo, Cherbourg and Caen additionally serve the division. There’s a TGV hyperlink from La Rochelle to Paris and autoroute 10 connects Paris to Bordeaux.
The Good Life
“Past funding, the approach to life right here is second to none”, says Douglas. “The area is famend for its oysters and seafood, proximity to the Cognac vineyards, bustling weekly markets, and gentle Atlantic local weather. Out of doors actions—crusing, biking, golf, or just having fun with the seashores—make it a vacation spot to be loved in each season.”
Charente Maritime is understood for its sandy seashores, fishing ports, sunshine and water sports activities. The Gironde estuary, the most important in Europe, is greater than 70 km lengthy and an space of outstanding biodiversity with hidden coves and seashores, forests, marshes and ports.
Inland Charente-Maritime
Inland, it’s all concerning the rolling hills, rivers, vineyards and historical past. Specifically, Charente Maritime is understood for its Cognac and pineau manufacturing, its oysters and native cheese, just like the Chabichou du Poitou. The division additionally has a number of UNESCO-listed world heritage websites, specifically the Citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the Basilica of Saint Eutrope in Saintes, the Pilgrims’ Hospital of Pons and the Saint-Pierre church of the Tour d’Aulnay.
Charente-Maritime can also be residence to 5 villages that carry the celebrated ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’, specifically Ars-en-Ré, La Flotte, Brouage, Talmont-sur-Gironde and Mornac-sur-Seudre.
But it surely’s not all concerning the labels, and there are dozens and dozens of hopelessly fairly villages and cities. Within the coronary heart of the division, Saint-Jean-d’Angély typifies life within the area. Sitting on the banks of the river Boutonne, the city is residence to a UNESCO-listed abbey that was based within the ninth century.
Choice Habitat agent and native Sue Lake says, “There are cobbled streets, half-timbered Medieval buildings, museums and monuments, and a Saturday morning market held within the coated 18th-century market corridor. The city used to have a port on the banks of the Boutonne, however now the realm is nice for strolling, biking or crusing. Or head to Val de Boutonne lake for fishing and water sports activities. And also you’re nonetheless solely about 45 minutes from the stunning sandy seashores of the Atlantic Coast. It’s an excellent place to dwell.”
The nice open air
Speaking of the good open air, Charente-Maritime is crossed by three main cycle routes: La Vélodyssée (which runs alongside the Atlantic coast and is understood for its superb views), Circulate Vélo (which follows the Charente River) and La Vélo Francette (which connects Ouistreham to La Rochelle through the Marais Poitevin). These are simply one among some ways to get lively within the area, which additionally embody numerous water sports activities (from crusing and browsing on the coast to kayaking up the canal routes of the Marais Poitevin). There’s a 50 km coastal strolling path and nice forests for climbing, in addition to eight golf programs and plenty of locations for a spot of fishing.
Cultural life
While the division could also be greatest identified for its unimaginable panorama and huge countryside, it additionally has a bustling cultural scene. All year long, there are festivals within the area of all descriptions, from kite festivals on the coast and scorching air balloon shows, to movie festivals (in La Rochelle), music festivals (like Francofolies and Un Violon sur le Sable) and native “Fête de l’Huître” (oyster festivals) the place contemporary seafood and native wine are celebrated.
Above all else is the distinctive place of the Charente Maritime. As one of many extra northern departments within the south, it has the essence of southern France (with nice climate) however with its laidback and genuine tackle French life.
“Charente-Maritime gives the proper steadiness: way of life, accessibility, and long-term funding worth”, says Douglas. “For consumers in search of a French property that delivers on all fronts, it stays an distinctive selection.”
Time to take a more in-depth look?
In case you’re pondering of constructing this place your private home, then get in contact with Choice Habitat. They’re bilingual and primarily based within the coronary heart of the area within the pretty city of Saint-Jean-d’Angély. With numerous native information and experience, they may help you refine your search and choose properties which might be simply best for you.
To search out out extra, go to selectionhabitat.com
Or pop into the Choice Habitat workplace at 18 Place du Marché, 17400 Saint-Jean-d’Angely
