What to expect – a guide for potential investors and holidaymakers
A short drive inland from the Atlantic coast brings you to gently rolling countryside that is a treasure trove of natural delights. Located half way between the Charente and Loire rivers of Western France, the tranquil landscape weaves a spell that makes you want to take time out and follow the paths of one of the many waterways that wind their way through towns, cities and villages.
This is the second sunniest area of France and enjoys a warm micro-climate that lends itself to a healthy outdoors lifestyle. A whole range of waterside activities can be found in numerous locations across the area. The Southern Vendée and Deux-Sèvres areas also provide some of the best opportunities for walking, horse-riding and cycling in France.
The world famous marshes of the Marais Poitevin, a Grand Site de France and the second largest wetland in the country, contain a wealth of birds and wildlife. Over 200km of conches (the local name for the rivers of the Marais) are waiting to be discovered by traditional flat bottomed boat or via the multitude of paths that wind their way through this stunning natural landscape.
Transport Links
Whether you are planning to commit to a new life in France or looking for a holiday home, it’s important that you and your family and friends can access your property easily. This isn’t a problem from the Vendée and Deux-Sèvres areas. There are regular flights to La Rochelle (under 2 hours) and Poitiers (approximately an hour) whilst Tours and Nantes airports are also well served from the UK.
Don’t want to fly? Relax and take the Eurostar from London to Poitiers in under five hours. Efficient motorway links mean that the area is a seven hour drive from the channel port, only four hours from Caen and five from Dieppe.
Variety
The wealth of properties in this area, crossing the boundaries of the Vendée and Deux-Sèvres departments, represent much better value for money than those on the coast, but are only an easy drive away.
Notaires De France report that the average price for a house in Deux-Sèvres is around €112,000 compared to €196,000 in the Charente Maritime area, which includes La Rochelle and the islands just off its coast.
Our Area
At Poitou Property Services, we cover some of the most interesting and picturesque parts of the Southern Vendée, Deux Sèvres and the Vienne departments. In the Vendée, we cover an area that includes the charming towns of Fontenay le Comte, La Chataigneraie and Chantonnay, the picturesque village of Vouvant and the Mervent Vouvant forest.
We have in- depth knowledge of the villages of the Marais Poitevin that cross the boundaries of the Vendée and Deux Sèvres . Heading North East into Deux Sèvres, the countryside surrounding the bustling city of Niort and the historic riverside town of Saint Maixent l’Ecole are popular with property hunters whilst,to the south of Parthenay, there are numerous friendly villages that offer tranquil country living.
Our area extends over the border into the Vienne and the historic city of Poitiers.
Journey South
More on the Pays de la Loire
The Vendée department in the southern part of the Pays de la Loire has a wealth of attractions: unspoilt beaches and fabulous seafood abound near the coast, while a short drive inland brings you to gently rolling countryside that is a treasure trove of natural delights.
The river Vendée flows through the quiet countryside to be joined by the river Mere in the heart of the Mervent forest. The area is a nature lover’s paradise with hundreds of well marked paths to be explored on foot, horseback by bike. Here, the tranquil landscape weaves a spell that makes you want to take time out and follow the sinuous waterways as they wind their way past farms, orchards and vineyards.
From the historic town of Fontenay le Comte, which lies just south of the forest, to the charming Vouvant and popular La Chataignerie in the north, the Vendée is a magnet for painters and photographers who are drawn to its picturesque towns and villages.
Exhibitions, musical events and a wide range of cultural activities cater for artistic tastes, whilst the many restaurants and markets provide tempting regional produce to please the most discerning of palates.
With a range of properties from much sought after red-roofed Vendéen farmhouses to charming
stone built houses, the Southern Vendée has a great deal to offer.
Crossing the border into the neighbouring Deux- Sèvres reveals the sometimes overlooked charm of its tranquil countryside. A journey along the banks of the Sèvre-Niortaise river from the breathtaking Marais Poitevin to the impressive historic town of Niort uncovers some spectacular scenery and a range of property from riverside houses to impressive manors and historic chateaux.
You must be logged in to post a comment.