Editor's pick

From outdoor activities and culinary delights to historic villages and the world famous Cognac, Charente is an evergreen destination for visitors.
more...

Whether you are taking your first tentative steps to buying a house here or are a seasoned ex-pat it pays to take professional advice throughout.
more...
Why use an independent property finder?
Alison Morton explains the advantages

Estate agents are helpful, but trawling websites for properties can take hours. Alison Morton is a Property Finder and explains the advantages of using services such as hers.
more...

Experienced, qualified and regulated independent Financial Planning Advice for expats. Brian Furzer's experience covers many aspects including investments, pensions, wealth & savings management.
Travelling to Poitou-Charentes from the UK?
Comprehensive guide to travelling by air, road and train

The four regions of Poitou-Charentes are popular destinations for both holidaymakers and people searching for a permanent home. Whether your journey is by aeroplane, by car via the Channel Tunnel or ferry crossing, or train, Beryl Brennan takes a look at the choices open to you.
more...
Can Local Schooling Influence French Property Prices?

Village schools in France are alive and thriving, and the playground at lunchtime rings to the sound of children's laughter. So does having a local village school influence property prices in France, as it does in the UK? Graham Downie makes an assessment.
more...
Shopping in Poitou-Charentes
Whether you are just visiting Poitou-Charentes for a holiday, or living here permanently, the cities and towns of the region offer a wonderful choice of shops, as well as shopping on-line for supplies from the UK. Sunday shopping has now arrived too, with many supermarkets open from 10-1pm.
more...
Major Festivals in Poitou Charentes
Annual Festivals in the Region
.jpg)
Whether your taste is for motor racing or sailing, music or hot air ballooning, games or films, the annual festivals on offer in Poitou-Charentes take some beating.
more...

FrenchEntrée reader David Darling and his wife Shirley have decided to have their own home built in the Charente in south west France. Here David describes the process so far – and what made them go down the self-build route
more...
.jpg)
If you are looking for a day out visiting or appreciating the flora and fauna of Poitou Charentes, especially with children, here’s a comprehensive list of wildlife parks and nature reserves to keep them entertained. Check out the websites for opening hours, ticket prices and disabled facilities.
more...
Looking for New Members

It’s not always easy making new friends when you move to a new area, or finding out where you can meet people with similar interests. You might need an English-speaking dentist or a good vet for your pet. The answer is Get Together in Deux-Sevres.
more...
Meet David Hardy

Siddalls advisers in France provide support and up-to-date information on any issues that may affect your finances when becoming a French resident. They are able to explain and identify problems in a language you will understand, identifying any problem areas that need to be addressed and suggesting personalised solutions.
more...
Beryl Brennan goes along to discover more.

Radio Val d'Or might not be the biggest radio station in Deux-Sevres, but it has the second largest number of listeners. To help it achieve this figure, it had a 35m transmitter installed, the highest allowed. Its broadcasts cover an area south of Saumur down to Parthenay and from Bressuire to Loudin.
more...
An attractive coastal town for both holidays and days out
.jpg)
Rochefort, on the coast of Charente Maritime, is a town offering artistic, architectural and historical sites, as well as beautiful beaches and a spa. It was also a naval base and arsenal which is currently the site of the construction of a replica of La Hermione.
more...
Ask the agent

Property agent Graham Downie discusses the kinds of properties available in the Charente, giving advice and insight into the local property market and beautiful department.
more...

The story of a Graham Downie and his family who gave up the trials and tribulations of London life and moved to the vineyards of Cognac, France.
more...
By Chris Luck

I hope that this glimpse into the Wildlife of Poitou-Charentes will encourage readers to wander a little from the beaten track and enjoy some of the living treasures that the ...
more...
Golf in the Poitou-Charentes region

Graham Downie explains why you should consider the Poitou-Charentes region for playing golf on a golfing holiday and for owning a property in Poitou-Charentes to take advantage of the many excellent courses in the region.
more...

The attraction of Charente-Maritime as a place to live was once one of France’s best-kept secrets. Not any more says Michael Streeter – the British are having to compete with the French to live in a department that combines a wonderful climate with some fine properties...
more...

This fine old port town may not have too many sandy beaches but it offers some great restaurants bars and shopping plus plenty of culture, history and maritime atmosphere says Michael Streeter....
more...
Following my last article on the healthy state of the
French property market I thought it would be useful to highlight the five most common mistakes UK purchasers make when looking for their dream home in Poitou Charentes...
more...
The drink of the gods, the water of life

The English, Dutch and Scandiavians have been enjoying the wines of Poitou Charente since as early as the 13th Century. In the 16th Century the wines were transformed into ...
more...

All over the Charente there are hundreds of beautiful villages built in the traditional Charentaise style, centred around a ancient church and village green. Each village has its own character and history ...
more...
Mobile Tyre Fitting from...
Mobile Tyre & Auto Services
Car Commercial & Agriculture
Vehicle Servicing-Brakes-Suspension
Towbars-Steering-Exhausts
Very Competative rates
Call 05 45 31 99 23 Port-06 40 51 66 95 or
send an email for a free quote
Futuroscope, an amazing leisure park experience

Here, futuristic architecture blends with a relaxing landscape, with 60 hectares of tranquil green countryside to explore and 25 original experiences to be discovered...
Come to celebrate our 25th Birthday in 2012!
English speaking bank in France

A special department staffed with English-speaking customer team in order to facilitate your arrival and help you with your banking services, savings, insurance, loans and investments.
Find out more...
Save 25% on holidays to Charente Maritime

Choose from 14 Siblu Holiday Villages and save 25% on every break. Pools, kids clubs and entertainment included.
Book now.
Cookery and sewing workshops

In English for children between the ages of 3 and 12 years. The groups are small, friendly and fun ! For more information contact Louise on +33 (0)6 99 03 58 63,
visit the blog, or send an email.
Independent Financial Advice in the Charente

Experienced, qualified and regulated independent Financial Planning Advice for expats. Brian Furzer's experience covers many aspects
including investments, pensions, wealth & savings management.
Contribute to FrenchEntrée!
We are keen to hear from people living in this region to contribute to FrenchEntrée. If you have any great ideas or would like to find out more, please get in touch.
Finding property in the beautiful Thouet Valley
Rural bliss, a beautiful river, a step back in time. Let us search out your dream property in this undiscovered and excellent value for money part of France. As French Entree’s Thouet Property Finder we can also help purchase your property at the lowest price possible.
Need French healthcare?

Top ups to French "NHS" medical cover for both expatriate residents and short to medium term EHIC holders visiting France, ideal for holiday home owners.
Learn More
La Rochelle and Coastal Vendee Property Search
An independent property finding service tailored to your needs and budget offering you support through the buying process. From sea view properties in coastal Vendee to La Rochelle city apartments, Ma Maison Parfaite is dedicated to finding your dream property.
Fed up of high UK taxation?

Tax planning is essential if you are to avoid paying on to Caesar more than is due to him. Blevins Franks mini-site
explains more.
Travel to France from £44 - Eurotunnel
Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes.
Take the fastest route to France by car. Our best fares are going fast. Book now!
Health Insurance for Expatriates
Amariz Limited offers health insurance for expatriates living in France with a choice of 100%, hospitalisation and top-up cover. Visit our website for further details
Boating Holidays in Charente
Cruise the beautiful Charente onboard one of Le Boat’s luxurious cruisers - Book online today.
Charente Riverside Property
(Picture 43865r)
Delightful Jarnac townhouse currently for sale. Features 5 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, garden leading to river and summer house. Let us help you find your Charente Riverside Property.
Insure your holiday home
Insurance for your French holiday home when it's unoccupied or holiday let. Simple to understand French
home insurance in plain English. - Get a quote
Vendee and Poitou Property
Vouvant, Fontenay le Comte, Niort, La Chataigneraie, St Maixent L’Ecole, Marais Poitevin… Poitou Property Services dedicated to finding you the right property at the best possible price.
Free Currency Quote
Looking to purchase a property in France? Need to make regular money transfers? Fill in our currency form for a Free Quote.
French mortgage best buy tables
Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest French mortgage rates. Whether you’re looking for a repayment or interest only option you’ll find the most competitive rates available here.
Charente Property Finder
Let us do the legwork and dig out one of the few remaining gems in the Charente valley for you. Then use our experience and local knowledge as a Charente property finder to help you purchase the property at the lowest price possible.