Each time I head south and cross the River Loire the weather seems to change. The sunshine seems stronger, warmer. I always think of this as the gateway to the warm Mediterranean climate which blesses so much of France.
Leaving the beautiful Pays de Loire you enter the department of Deux-Sèvres, so named for two rivers – the Sèvre Nantaise, which flows south to north to join the River Loire, and Sèvre Niortaise, which rises north of Melle before flowing westward to the Atlantic.
Deux-Sèvres is the most rural of four departments which once made up the historic region of Poitou-Charente and lie to the north of what is now Nouvelle-Aquitaine. With its lovely rolling countryside and abundance of fabulous produce, accompanied by a great climate with plenty of sunshine, Deux-Sèvres offers much to those lucky enough to live here, as well as being an enticingly tranquil place to spend holidays.
In spite of feeling relatively secluded, it remains incredibly well-connected thanks to airports at nearby La Rochelle, Nantes and Poitiers, as well as great TGV links.
LIE OF THE LAND
This largely rural landscape may not offer as many high-profile tourist attractions as surrounding areas, but it does offer, by the truck-load, authentic French charm with luscious countryside, glorious Romanesque churches, delightful towns, pretty villages with lively markets and of course the magical Marais Poitevin regional park.
This story is from the August 2020 edition of French Property News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2020 edition of French Property News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Bond With France
With a licence to thrill James Bond fans, Chloe Govan goes househunting in the film locations immortalised by the spy who loved France
Nature's harmony
A renovated farmhouse in Lot-et-Garonne could be perfect for those hearing the call of the wild, discovers Brigitte Nicolas
Main event
Buying a holiday home near a popular annual event could guarantee you a beautiful setting and some extra cash, finds Hannah Evans
Hauss style
Joanna Leggett learns all about Georges-Eugène Haussmann – the man who designed the Paris that we know and love
Architect's diary
It’s all in a week’s work for France-based Neil Vesma
Write on the edge
When it comes to life in west Brittany, author Wendy Mewes has been there, done that, written the guidebook
Moving With The Times
Gary Burke reflects on the impact of Brexit and Covid-19 on the removals industry and how they are shaping the moving to France market
In other words
Hannah Evans explores some of the regions of France where regional languages are still spoken and being preserved by local communities
Work of art-isan
There’s an art to finding a good artisan in France, as Rosie Ellis explains, and ways to ensure they’re qualified to do the work you’ve hired them to do
Architect's diary
It’s all in a week’s work for France-based Neil Vesma