Property for Sale South West France - Why Buy Here?

Many people choose to buy property in SW France because of its richness in agriculture, diverse countryside and beautiful scenery. However the most unique selling point to British buyers is the climate – it has the second best weather in France after the Côte d'Azur, with summer temperatures averaging between 28 and 33 degrees. Spring arrives earlier than in the UK and summer lingers longer. There are cold snaps, often in late November or early February; however a typical mid-winter day is cool but sunny with blue skies.

There are plenty of low cost airlines flying into the airports Poitiers, Limoges, La Rochelle, Bergerac and Bordeaux which are all within easy driving distance of our properties. Easy access for a weekend trip makes this a popular destination for holiday homes. This also has a huge impact on encouraging holidaymakers to the area for rental property. Families love to move here because they enjoy the richness of life in the countryside along with large gardens and an outdoor lifestyle.

The SW of France refers to the west side south of the Loire valley and consists of three regions – Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes. Each of these regions contain different “departments” which are perhaps better known to the buyer and Papillon Properties cover the majority of these – Creuse and Haute Vienne (in the Limousin region) and Deux Sèvres, Vienne, Charente and Charente Maritime (in the Poitou-Charentes region). The scenery varies from the flat coastal plains – dotted with sunflower fields – to the dramatic hills and valleys of the Limousin. It is mostly true to say that the further inland one goes, the more dramatic the landscape but the higher the rainfall. Between the two extremes of the Charente Maritime and the Limousin the landscape is gently rolling hills and pretty riverside towns with weekly open-air markets. The beaches are generally sandy, with shallow water and are often deserted outside the traditional holiday periods.

Each area has its regional culinary specialities, with colourful markets selling fresh seafood, seasonal fruit and vegetables and local wines. The best local restaurants reflect the region and the seasons. As well as more upmarket establishments, many popular, cheaper places offer a ‘plat du jour' (dish of the day), which is nearly always worth ordering. These types of restaurant tend to be popular with locals and generally include wine in the already reasonable price. Cognac, the well-established Haut Poitou wines and the aperitif Pineau des Charentes all come from our South West region. We have properties for sale in the four departments of the Poitou-Charentes region, the area of the Limousin around the market town of La Souterraine. Click on the tabs at the top to view.