Often described as the Gateway to the
South-West, the Charente is a department that is full of contrast and
beauty. Situated between the coastal Charente-Maritime to the west and the
Dordogne and more rural Limousin to the south and east, it shares many of
these areas’ best features whilst retaining a character and charm all of its
own. The overall feel of the area is traditional, rural and relaxed,
features which have made it traditionally popular with UK buyers and
holidaymakers alike.
The Charente is a true patchwork of landscapes and is split into five areas.
Whether you pass through West Charente with its world-famous Cognac
distilleries and vineyards, South Charente with its Dordogne-esque villages
and architecture, through the forests and hills of Charente Limousine, the
superb chateaux and market towns of Haute et Tardoire or finally the quiet,
traditional riverside villages of Ruffecois, you are still never far away
from the heartbeat of the region, Angoulême, a vibrant Roman city full of
culture, history, festivals, great shopping and great restaurants.
There is always something to do in the Charente. Whether it be boating or
canoeing up the beautiful Charente and Vienne rivers, swimming, sailing or
wind-surfing in one of the numerous lakes with their sandy beaches, or
simply enjoying a meal in one of the fantastic riverside restaurants, water
seems to play a large part in the leisure time of both residents and
holiday-makers. For those interested in culture, the choice of places to
visit is endless, the stunning chateaux of La Rochefoucauld and Verteuil,
the world folk festival at Confolens and the famous classic-car ‘tour des
remparts’ at Angoulême to name but a few.
The region benefits from great accessibility to the UK both by air and by
rail with Paris only 2 hours away by TGV. Poitiers, Limoges and La Rochelle
airports are all within an hour’s drive and there is a planned route due to
open in the spring straight into the heart of the Charente itself. In terms
of climate, the Charente benefits from its own micro-climate and enjoys some
of the highest hours of sunshine outside the south of France, shown by the
fact that eating outside in the many Charente restaurants is common well
into late October.
Property prices are lower than the neighbouring Charente-Maritime and
Dordogne but they do vary across the Charente. You get more for your money
in the north and east of the department where renovation projects are still
available at reasonable prices and good-standard stone built properties are
still within reach for most buyers. Prices increase as you move further
south and west but on average, Charente properties sell for 15-20% less than
the national average.
So who should buy in the Charente? Whether it be as a holiday home or a
permanent move, if the reasons why you’re looking to buy in France include
its relaxed lifestyle, traditional values, affordable properties, great
climate and accessibility, then the Charente is somewhere you should
definitely consider.
