Learn more about the regions of France


frenchentree.com/ french-property


Coast and country


Halfway down France’s west coast, Poitou-Charentes offers sandy beaches, glorious countryside and bustling villages. Annaliza Davis explains why this region ticks all the boxes for househunters


W


ith La Rochelle in the west, Poitiers in the north and Angoulême in


the south, the former region of Poitou-Charentes (now part of Nouvelle-Aquitaine)covers approximately 25,809km2 on the west coast of France. Its departments – including Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres and Vienne – offer coastal hotspots, city living, swathes of unpeopled countryside and much more. Nearly half the population


here lives in villages and small towns with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants, and inland areas are mostly agricultural. This is the land of golden sunflowers with grazing livestock dotted


across the fields. Inland properties include rural farms, clusters of cottages, stately châteaux and townhouses in historic market squares. The coast offers a dramatic


contrast in Poitou-Charentes. The rather exclusive and unutterably chic island of Île de Ré is a world away from this area’s farming heritage, while the lively and picturesque harbour town of La Rochelle is on most travellers’ wish lists and rivals the city of Poitiers in terms of economic importance. For any journey down the


west coast or from Paris to the southwest, Poitou-Charentes is on the way – but if you’re househunting, it may prove to be your ideal destination.


24 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: March/April 2023


FUTUROSCOPE THEME PARK Located 20 minutes north of Poitiers, this is France’s take on a theme park, in that it’s less about adrenaline rushes and more about entertaining while educating, including ecological and historical themes. Many of the attractions use the latest technology, such as IMAX and 4D experiences and dancing with robots. Drawing over two million visitors a year, it can get incredibly busy in summer with long queues, so go off-season and get the most out of your visit! futuroscope.com/en


© SHUTTERSTOCK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148