Our House for Sale in South West France
Our house is in the heart of Poitou-Charentes, ideally situated to cater for all types of holiday. Across the road from our house is La Boutonne river, which meanders through the beautiful countryside, offering opportunities for woodland and riverside walking, and of course, fishing.
We are on the edge of the Foret de Chize, an oak and beech forest with numerous trails - an ideal place for picnics or walks. In the middle of the Chize forest is Zoorama. Once a military base, it is now a nature reserve and zoo.
Local shopping is available in the village of Chize, supermarkets in Beauvoir-sur-Niort and Brioux-sur-Boutonne nearby. The local village markets are a must to visit for those wanting to sample a flavour of typical French life! Hypermarkets and major shopping parks are in Niort and St. Jean d’Angely, and also in major towns further afield such as Bordeaux, Cognac, Poitiers etc.
Restaurants
abound throughout the area – don’t forget to try the local aperitif Pineau!
Roadside signs throughout the Charente advertise pineau, a sweet liqueur that's
a blending of grape juice stopped in its fermentation by adding Cognac from the
same vineyard. It's best drunk chilled as an apéritif; the locals also like it
with Oysters and love cooking with it. Favourite dishes include moules au pineau
(mussels cooked with tomatoes, pineau, garlic and parsley) and lapin à la
saintongeaise (rabbit casseroled with pineau rosé, shallots, garlic, tomatoes,
thyme and bay leaves).
The
Poitou-Charentes region has annually the highest number of days of sunshine in
France after the Riviera. It has great charm – the wonderful sandy Atlantic
coastline is well worth visiting and the port towns of La Rochelle and Rochefort
are among the prettiest towns in France. Sample the region’s good quality
seafood. For nature lovers there are pine forests and the inland valley of the
Charente river - and the Marais Poitevin marshes (known as Venise Vert because
of its network of canals) with their poplar groves. The whole region is renowned
for architectural interest: Romanesque churches particularly in the thriving
centre of Poitiers, chateaux and forts, and the arch and amphitheatre at Saintes,
vestiges of the Holy Roman Empire, are not to be missed.
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Once a medieval port which developed around the Sevre Niortaise river. The city has an immense twelfth century donjon built by Henry II and Richard the Lionheart. There are ancient houses covered in round roof tiles that line the twisting streets in rue de l'Huilerie and rue du Tourniquet. |
Eglise Notre-Dame
- An elegant church with a fifteenth century belfry.
Musee Bernard d'Agesci
- Home of Niort’s fine-art collection and natural history
collection.
Logis de l'Hercule
- A collection of ceramics and coins. Also, a small museum dedicated to
angelica (an aromatic culinary plant grown in the marshes).
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Marais Poitevin marshes - A huge
nature reserve (home to nesting and migratory birds). Sample the local dishes of
eels and snails. The best way to explore is by flat-bottomed boats (plattes)
from which you can view the pretty white-washed villages dotted along the dikes
or limestone islets. |
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Historic town with the Abbaye Royale and fountain. Nice for a stroll around the shops or for lunch in one of the many cafés. Large park with children’s play area and lots of fairly tame ducks and geese to feed. Next to the park is an aquatic centre which is definitely worth a visit during any inclement weather.
This was once an important stopover for pilgrims en route to Compostela but is now famed for its weekly beef cattle market. Sheep, apples and local dairy produce are also sold here in abundance.
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Chateau de Coudray-Salbart – A thirteenth century military style chateau. |
Palais des Congres
- Art exhibitions and concerts.
Parthenay-le-Vieux
– Visit the beautiful Romanesque church.
Musee
Municipal - A museum that recounts the history of Parthenay.
Thouars – Visit the sixteenth century Chateau d'Oiron.
If
you want to observe Poitevin life, visit the tree-lined Place Leclerc and Place
de Gaulle to find the central hub of cafes, restaurants, elegant streets and
half-timbered medieval houses.
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Notre Dame-la-Grande
- Worth a visit for its twelfth century Poitevin sculpture and colourful
geometrically patterned architecture. |
Mediatheque Francois
- The Maison du Moyen Age with medieval engravings.
Musee Sainte-Croix
- Gallo Roman gems and medieval archaeology on show here plus bronzes by Camille
Claudel (Rodin's lover and talented sculptress).
Baptistere St-Jean
- A fourth century baptistry; one of the oldest Christian buildings in France.
Cathedrale St-Pierre -
One of the oldest in France, with twelfth century stained glass window.
Palais de Justice
- The great hall of the Angevin kings, Henry II and Richard the Lionheart.
| Futuroscope - A fantastic theme park that presents cutting edge technology in a futuristic setting. 3D simulators and a 'magic carpet' cinema that makes you feel like you are flying! Suitable for couples and families with children of all ages. |
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Sitting
on the river Charente, it was an important economic and cultural centre in Roman
times. The town's Roman remains are
worth investigating including a vast amphitheatre built for gladiatorial
contests, and two stunning pilgrim churches.
It has an attractive centre with narrow streets and medieval houses. The
colourful market, which sets up twice a week alongside the cathedral, is also a
must. |
| Arch of Germanicus
- On the riverbank at the end of rue Arc de Triomphe, an impressive Roman
arch dedicated to emperor Tiberius. |
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Musee Archeologique
- Archaeological musuem with an extensive collection of sculpted stone.
Golf de Saintes
- A stunning 18-hole golf course.
Eglise St-Eutrope -
A mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Abbaye-aux-Dames – An elegant eleventh century abbey with elaborate doorway.
This is a town of medieval alleyways that fan out from a delightful riverside quarter. Here you'll find the chais or wine cellars where fine brandy or Cognac is matured.
| There are many distillery tours, including Cognac Otard or Hennessy Cognac, which keeps 180,000 barrels in stock, where you can discover the fine art of Cognac making and the secrets of blending. |
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Cognac Otard - Tour
of the fabulous fifteenth/sixteenth century château where Francois I was born
(includes Cognac tasting).
Remy Martin
- Take a miniature train through the vineyards of Remy Martin, which makes
cognac from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne vintages.
Camus
- The history of cognac, ageing and blending.
Martell Cognac
- Offers educational tours of the wine cellars and Cognac production.
Hennessy Cognac
- For guided tours, a film, and a boat trip to visit the cellars.
Musee de Cognac
– Self explanatory!
Jardin Public – A fine public park with small zoo and deer.
A
cathedral town split into an upper part, le Plateau, and a lower town which
includes everything outside the ramparts. The northern ramparts are a great spot
for views over the Charente Valley.
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The
Centre National de la Bande Dessinee et de l’Image - Presents the
history of French print and film cartoons over the ages. |
The Cathedrale St-Pierre - A twelfth century cathedral with an impressive facade depicting the Last Judgement.
Cam's Ski Nautique
- Water-skiing for our more energetic guests!
Hotel de Ville
- Tour of the Gothic/Renaissance town hall.
Musee du Papier 'le Nil' – Once a
paper mill manufacturing cigarette papers. Now an impressive museum.
Musee Municipal des Beaux-arts
- A mix of medieval treasures, South Pacific art, African statues and local
ceramics.
Musee de la Societe Archeologique - Houses a collection of prehistoric remains, local archaeological finds, and Roman mosaics.
With over 300 miles of sandy coast to choose from, you'll never run out of new beaches to try!
A
charming seaside town that has preserved its historic centre and waterfront.
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Vieux Port - Boasts chic boutiques and numerous cafes and restaurants
along the Quai Duperré. |
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Le Jam Pub
– Famous for its jazz and blues scene.
Musee des Modeles Reduits - A musuem of miniature cars, ships and
villages.
Musee Maritime Neptunea - Maritime musuem that is home to Jacques
Cousteau's research ship, Calypso.
The Aquarium
- Over 10,000 species including sharks and turtles.
Musee d'Orbigny-Bernon
- For local history, ceramics and Asian art.
Musee du Nouveau Monde
- Learn about the first French settlers in Canada.
Museum d'Histoire Naturelle - Naturalist collections including shells and African
masks.
Tour de la Lanterne
- For great views of La Rochelle and a slice of the town's history.
Situated on the banks of the River Charente, just a short drive from La Rochelle, it is packed with places which should be visited.
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The Corderie Royale - a rope manufacturing museum and former military arsenal. It is also the site of a reconstruction of the 18th-century frigate, Hermione. |
The Old School of Naval Medicine - houses a hair-raising collection of instruments and potions used over the centuries to cure the ills of local seamen. Not a visit for the faint hearted!
The Musée des Commerces d’Autrefois - a collection of memorabilia, advertising signs and artefacts from the France of yesteryear. It houses exact recreations of a pre-war pharmacy, butcher’s shop, barber’s shop, café and much more besides.
Ile de Re - 60 milesLong stretches of sandy beaches, white cliffs and sand dunes on this island known for its rich birdlife. |
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Ile d'Oleron - 62 milesAfter Corsica, Oleron is France's largest island with great beaches at Vert Bois and Grande Plage. Sample the mussels or oysters that are grown in the shallow waters. |
Just outside Poitou-Charentes,
but really worth a visit:
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On
Saturday the 10th of June 1944, this village was attacked and destroyed by the
2nd Waffen SS Panzer Division ‘Das Reich’. They killed a total of 642 men,
women and children without any explanation of their actions (none has ever been
found since). The village has been preserved as it was, as a memorial to the
victims. Very poignant. |
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Shopping, beautiful buildings, restaurants, clubs, bars – what more could you want! |
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Contact Us if you have any enquiries.
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