Le Boat - Boating Holidays in France
20th March 2010

Poitou Charentes Property, Holidays and Lifestyle

Welcome to FrenchEntrée Poitou Charentes. We are here to help make life in Poitou Charentes easy. This website was created to serve as a comprehensive source of information about the beautiful region of Poitou Charentes. So whether you are already living here, you are searching for a property to buy or a place to stay, or whether you are looking to discover what life is like in Poitou Charentes, you've come to the right place.

Our aim is to provide comprehensive information about buying property in Poitou-Charentes, life in Poitou-Charentes, Tourism, Food and Drink, Local News and Events & Activities in the area.

Email Icon
-email


Phone Icon - +44 (0)1225 463752 - 24hr


Are you searching for a farmhouse, town house or villa? For any type of property anywhere in Poitou Charentes please don't hesitate to get in contact with our property consultants.

FREE Poitou Charentes Newsletter

What's New in Poitou-Charentes your FREE newsletter.
Type in your email to subscribe
Join Our Newsletter!
Email:  
Your email address is not provided to anyone else - see Privacy Policy for full details.
View Previous Newsletters

Cottage rental for couples near Aubeterre

Gatinaud CottagePretty cottage to rent near Aubeterre sur Dronne on the border of the Dordogne and Charente . Sleeps 2 or 3. Peaceful location but near popular tourist villages, restaurants and markets. Large private garden. Charente holiday cottage

Poitou-Charentes Guidebook and bookstore

Poitou-Charentes Guide book

Visit the FrenchEntrée Poitou-Charentes guidebooks store for tourism and travel guidebooks on the Poitou-Charentes region.

Number 1 for Poitou-Charentes Property, Life & Holidays!

FrenchEntrée Poitou-Charentes, the Guide to Poitou-Charentes

Welcome to the Poitou-Charentes site of FrenchEntrée. The site for all those who find themselves visiting the region, whether living here or on holiday in the Poitou-Charentes.

FrenchEntrée Poitou-Charentes provides you with a full list of activities in the region, as well as all the tourist sites to visit. Whet your appetite in the food section, learn some new skills in the gardening section, and if you're not already living here find your dream home in the property sales zone and an abundance of useful property information in the property guide . Find a place to stay in the accommodation zone and for all the essential contacts you'll ever need visit the Business Directory . Finally read real-life stories from people living here in the Poitou Charentes region of France.
FrenchEntrée-Poitou Charentes
FrenchEntrée-Poitou Charentes
FrenchEntrée-Poitou Charentes

A guide to buying property in Poitou Charentes

St Meme - Buying property in Poitou-CharentesWhether 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...

Charente property market update – Spring 2010

St meme PropertyHouse prices in the Charente have certainly dropped since the market hit a wall in September 2008 (when Lehman Brothers collapsed and world markets fell with them). more...

Travelling to Poitou-Charentes from the UK?

Comprehensive guide to travelling by air, road and train

SNCF logo

The 4 regions of Poitou-Charentes, with a climate similar to the Mediterranean, 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...

Why Use an Independent Property Finder

Alison Morton explains the advantages

Property Finder 2
Estate Agents are very helpful, but trawling through all the websites searching for a property can take up many hours. And when you actually get out to France to view the property, it may be sold already. And what about the hundreds of properties which have just an 'A Vendre' sign and a private telephone number. Alison Morton is a Property Finder and explains the advantages of using services such as her.more...

Property Trends in 2009

Now's a good time to buy

Immo-foch houseFrench property prices have dropped. There's a glut of houses on the market and, with vendors willing to negotiate, it's a very good time to buy. Estate agents and property finders throughout the region give their views on the current market situation and how they think the future looks.more...

Keeping the property market moving.

Property to exchangeWant to sell your house?  No-one buying at the moment? Property Exchange could be a solution, a positive means of combating the current economic climate, opening up the market and speeding up the buying/selling process.more...

Can Local Schooling Influence French Property Prices?

School 1Village 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

Shopping street
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

Bentleys at AngoulemeWhether 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. Unsurprisingly the majority of them take place during the main French holiday period of June, July and August, when the visitor can be spoilt for choice as to which festival to visit, as many take place at the same time. But if you know the right place to look, then there is something every month of the year.more...

How France is combating the credit crunch

Euro credit crunchGraham Downie discusses how the French are combating the credit crunch and the impact of the financial crisis on those looking to buy in France...more...

Latest Poitou-Charentes property for sale

Poitou-Charentes CottageFrenchEntrée feature a wide range of property for sale in the Poitou-Charentes region of France. We cover the four departments of Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sevres and Vienne and with the region boasting a wide of property types covering townhouses, cottages, farmhouses, barns, manor houses and holiday homes. There is something here for everyone. View our latest Poitou-Charentes property for sale

Why we’re having our own home built in France

building land charenteFrenchEntrée 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 how they have found the process so far – and what made them go down the self-build route

more...

Wildlife Parks and Nature Reserves - a Good Day Out

ZoodysseeIf 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 which will certainly keep them entertained. Check out the websites for opening hours, ticket prices and disabled facilities. more...

Tel Turnbull - Potter

Creating Pots in Poitou Charentes

Tel & Katie TurnbullTel Turnbull was born in the industrial Midlands and some of his first recollections were of the smoking bottle kilns. Since he and his wife Katie moved to France in 2007 he has created a centre where visitors can enjoy the experience of creating their own pots.more...

Getting Together in Deux-Sevres

Looking for New Members

Get Together groupIt’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. Get Together is there to provide the answers in Deux-Sevres.
more...

David Hardy - Siddalls Adviser in France

David Hardy - Siddalls AdvisorSiddalls advisers in France are there to 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. David Hardy is the Regional Manager for Poitou-Charentes and the Limousin. Here is his story... more...

Radio Val d'Or Reaches For The Skies

Beryl Brennan goes along to discover more.

Radio Val d'Or teamRadio Val D'Or might not be the biggest of the 4 local radio station in Deux-Sevres, but it has the second largest percentage of radio listeners. To help it achieve this figure, it's recently had a new 35 metre transmitter installed, the highest allowed, which means its broadcasts cover an area south of Saumur down to Parthenay, and from Bressuire to Loudin. more...

Poitiers Leaseback Apartments - Poitiers Gare

Poitiers Gare LeasebackPierre & Vacances are pleased to announce the launch of 127 freehold-leaseback apartments in Poitiers Gare. Poitiers is the capital of the Poitou Charentes region and is situated south of the Loire river between Paris and Bordeaux.more...

Rochefort and La Hermione

An attractive coastal town for both holidays and days out

HermionemodelRochefort, on the coast of Charente Maritime (17), 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...

Property in the Charente

Ask the agent

Charente architectureProperty 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...

A guide to a Barn Conversion in Poitou Charentes

Step 1 Planning

Barn ConversionProperties, renovation, conversion, all terms that we have become more and more familiar with. Programs on television, articles in magazines, all add to the idea that there is little or ...more...

A Guide to a Barn Conversion in Poitou Charentes

Step 2. Project Management

Barn ConversionAt the end of part one we were at the stage of obtaining planning consent for our conversion. The vision of what we wanted now existed in two places; in two dimensions on six sheets of A1 sized paper...more...

Learning your ABC’s (that’s Angouleme, Bordeaux & Cognac)...

Bordeaux Footbal FansThe 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...

Poitou-Charentes Wildlife

By Chris Luck

FrenchEntrée-Poitou CharentesI 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...

Why Tiger Woods should move to France….

Golf in the Poitou-Charentes region

PC Golf CourseGraham 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...

Week in the Life of...a shop

French tea BritishRichard Colledge and his wife Pam have lived in France for 14 years. Richard used his experience of retail in France and the UK to open Petticoat Lane, a shop selling British groceries in the small town of Chabanais in the Charente. Here he gives us a run-down of a week in their working life more...

Sunshine, sea – and soaring in popularity

Ile de ReThe 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...

La Rochelle, jewel of the Atlantic coast

La RochelleThis 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...

Poitou-Charentes Property Sales

Property DatabaseLooking to find your dream home in the Poitou-Charentes region? Well look no further, here's a list to choose from:
Charente properties for sale
Charente Maritime properties for sale
Deux-Sèvres properties for sale
Vienne properties for sale
These properties are from private vendors and estate agents in the region. Whether you're looking for a chateau, barn, house, renovation project or some land for a new build, you'll be sure to find something you like. Not sure which département to choose? Why not search across the entire Poitou-Charentes property sales.

The top 5 mistakes to avoid when buying in Poitou Charentes….

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 magic of a wood-burning stove

Barry Creighton of Stove Sellers on the joys of a wood burning stove

AH Woodburner from Villager Stoves“Oh how lovely, a log burning stove!” How many times have you said this sort of thing to yourself when you enter a home with a real wood-burner glowing gently in the hearth. There is an undefinable pleasure in the warmth, the sense of comfort and well being you feel that no other central heating system can give you.... more...

Cognac

The drink of the gods, the water of life

FrenchEntrée-Poitou Charentes 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...

Find one of the Charente's most beautiful villages

FrenchEntrée-Poitou CharentesAll 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...
Boating Holidays in Charente
Boating Holidays in France with Le BoatCruise the beautiful Charente onboard one of Le Boat’s luxurious cruisers - Book online today.


Discover a new little world… Le Petit Monde
Le Petit MondeTraditional English and International foods, quality garden and homeware, gifts and tasteful greetings cards. Open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 10am-1pm. Further information.
Finding property in the beautiful Thouet Valley
Thouet Property FinderRural 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.
Free Currency Quote
Free Currency QuoteLooking to purchase a property in France? Need to make regular money transfers? Fill in our currency form for a Free Quote.
Garden Or Parkland Projects
Daniel CarhartNot sure who to call? Call us! For all your landscaping needs. From creating a path or driveway to ornamental features. Remedial works, such as jungle clearance; dredging the lake. simply installing a septic tank.For a serious, local company who care,, click here..
Need help with French administration?
A La Carte Consultancy A La Carte bilingual staff can assist with any queries on French administration, running a business, property and inheritance issues, legal advice and much more.
French mortgage best buy tables
IPF CottageKeep 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.
East Charente and South Property Finder
Laurence LogoLimousin Recherche Immobilier run by Laurence Verhaeghe will help you research and find your dream East Charente and South Poitou property. With a good experience of property search and exclusive services for the buyer you will be to negotiate the best price
Insure your holiday home
Schofields Home InsuranceInsurance for your French holiday home when it's unoccupied or holiday let. Simple to understand French
home insurance in plain English. - Get a quote


Avoid unnecessary taxation in France
Euro Notes and CoinsTax planning is essential if you are to avoid paying on to Caesar more than is due to him. Blevins Franks mini-site Explains more

Charente Property Finder
Charente Property FinderLet 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.
Poitou-Charentes Property Buyer Button

Poitou-Charentes Newsletter

Poitou-Charentes Newsletter


Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up Now!

Search FrenchEntrée


French Property Database Search

Find your dream house in France Over 12,000 properties
for sale throughout France.....


More search options
Use a property finder

Spacer
French Entrée