Do you dream of living in France, or having a holiday home there? With a wonderfully rich and diverse landscape and culture, there’s a huge choice of places to put down roots, but we really love the department of Charente Maritime and so do the experts at renowned property agency Selection Habitat.

Why Charente Maritime is such a great place to live

Charente Maritime is on the southwest coast of France, and it’s part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine (previously called Poitou-Charentes). “With over 460 km of coastline, the department is very popular for both primary and second-home owners. From the sandy beaches of Royan to the exclusive island charms of Île de Ré and Île d’Oléron, the choice of properties is vast—seafront villas, modern apartments, or traditional stone homes, which all have year-round appeal. There are historic towns such as La Rochelle, a particularly picturesque old port with its distinctive towers, links to the Knights Templar, cobblestone streets and arcaded streets.

“A little further down the coast, the 17th-century naval town of Rochefort has grand avenues and elegant architecture. Saintes, meanwhile, has one of the oldest Gallo-Roman amphitheatres and its incredible Romanesque Basilica with one of the largest Romanesque crypts in Europe. Saint-Jean-d’Angély, a small town, boasts a rich heritage and offers a laid-back lifestyle with all the facilities you could need. So many places that combine character, history, and thriving local communities, making them particularly attractive to buyers seeking both a permanent and secondary homes,” says Douglas Hines, regional manager for Les Charentes, Selection Habitat.

“Accessibility is a key strength. With airports at La Rochelle and Bordeaux plus TGV links to Paris, Charente-Maritime is exceptionally well connected, ensuring ease of access for international visitors and second-home owners who want to maximise use of their property,” he adds. The main airports are at La Rochelle and Bordeaux, but there are also several smaller airports. Driving from Calais takes about 7 to 8 hours.  The ferry ports at St Malo, Cherbourg and Caen also serve the department. There is a TGV link from La Rochelle to Paris and autoroute 10 connects Paris to Bordeaux.

The Good Life

“Beyond investment, the lifestyle here is second to none”, says Douglas. “The region is renowned for its oysters and seafood, proximity to the Cognac vineyards, bustling weekly markets, and mild Atlantic climate. Outdoor activities—sailing, cycling, golf, or simply enjoying the beaches—make it a destination to be enjoyed in every season.”

Charente Maritime is known for its sandy beaches, fishing ports, sunshine and water sports. The Gironde estuary, the largest in Europe, is more than 70 km long and an area of exceptional biodiversity with hidden coves and beaches, forests, marshes and ports.

Inland Charente-Maritime

Inland, it’s all about the rolling hills, rivers, vineyards and history. In particular, Charente Maritime is known for its Cognac and pineau production, its oysters and local cheese, like the Chabichou du Poitou. The department also has several UNESCO-listed world heritage sites, namely the Citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, the Basilica of Saint Eutrope in Saintes, the Pilgrims’ Hospital of Pons and the Saint-Pierre church of the Tour d’Aulnay.

Charente-Maritime is also home to five villages that carry the prestigious ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’, namely Ars-en-Ré, La Flotte, Brouage, Talmont-sur-Gironde and Mornac-sur-Seudre.

But it’s not all about the labels, and there are dozens and dozens of hopelessly pretty villages and towns. In the heart of the department, Saint-Jean-d’Angély typifies life in the region. Sitting on the banks of the river Boutonne, the town is home to a UNESCO-listed abbey that was founded in the ninth century.

Selection Habitat agent and local Sue Lake says, “There are cobbled streets, half-timbered Medieval buildings, museums and monuments, and a Saturday morning market held in the covered 18th-century market hall. The town used to have a port on the banks of the Boutonne, but now the area is great for walking, cycling or sailing. Or head to Val de Boutonne lake for fishing and water sports. And you’re still only about 45 minutes from the lovely sandy beaches of the Atlantic Coast. It’s a great place to live.”

The great outdoors

Talking of the great outdoors, Charente-Maritime is crossed by three major cycle routes: La Vélodyssée (which runs along the Atlantic coast and is known for its amazing views), Flow Vélo (which follows the Charente River) and La Vélo Francette (which connects Ouistreham to La Rochelle via the Marais Poitevin). These are just one of many ways to get active in the region, which also include lots of water sports (from sailing and surfing on the coast to kayaking up the canal routes of the Marais Poitevin). There is a 50 km coastal walking path and great forests for hiking, as well as eight golf courses and lots of places for a spot of fishing.

Cultural life

Whilst the department may be best known for its incredible landscape and vast countryside, it also has a bustling cultural scene. Throughout the year, there are festivals in the region of all descriptions, from kite festivals on the coast and hot air balloon displays, to film festivals (in La Rochelle), music festivals (like Francofolies and Un Violon sur le Sable) and local “Fête de l’Huître” (oyster festivals) where fresh seafood and local wine are celebrated.

Above all else is the unique position of the Charente Maritime. As one of the more northern departments in the south, it has the essence of southern France (with great weather) but with its laidback and authentic take on French life.

“Charente-Maritime offers the perfect balance: lifestyle, accessibility, and long-term investment value”, says Douglas. “For buyers seeking a French property that delivers on all fronts, it remains an exceptional choice.”

Time to take a closer look?

If you’re thinking of making this place your home, then get in touch with Selection Habitat. They are bilingual and based in the heart of the region in the lovely town of Saint-Jean-d’Angély. With lots of local knowledge and expertise, they can help you refine your search and select properties that are just right for you.

To find out more, visit selectionhabitat.com

Or pop into the Selection Habitat office at 18 Place du Marché, 17400 Saint-Jean-d’Angely